Hi, my name is Karl Nova and I have been guilty of being a hypocrite.

The dictionary defines the word hypocrite as follows:

1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.

2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.

(Man reading those definitions is so humbling lol)

The word hypocrite comes from the greek word hypokrites which means an actor. Think about that for a minute. We all watch films, sitcoms or whatever. Over here in the UK we have an ongoing soap opera called Eastenders. It gets so deep for some viewers of this show that if they happen to bump into one of the actors on the street they forget that it is all acting. Those who played the villain in the show sometimes find themselves being abused for what they did on the show when it is all just scripted acting. They are acting out a story and reciting lines they didn't even come up with themselves! The reverse happens too, those who played the hero part find themsevles being treated with favour and acclaim not just because they are great actors but because some viewers have bought into the idea that what they are acting is REALLY THEM. This sounds totally crazy but it happens. Think about it in another way, if some of your outward actions are "put on" to gain public approval but in your heart and when no one is looking you are something different isn't it the same kind of thing? Folks will approach you based on some perception they have of you that is false. A perception that you perpetuated.

Hi my name is Karl Nova and I have been guilty of being a hypocrite.

I confess I have made public statements to gain approval and ratings at some points. I must confess one of my greatest fears as one who professes faith is that because I proclaim my faith publicly people might attiribute some kind or righteousness to me like I am some perfect saint when the truth is the reality of my life in a way is more like a druggie in rehab as far as virtue goes. I have been a moral failure and apart from God's work of grace in my life because of Christ and my faith in Christ, I am still that. This is not some kind of false humility either, I know myself, to a great degree I know the depth of my depravity and how low I have sunk to at my worst points. To me it is not just a theological concept. I could tell you what I have done for real but I don't want to use my sinfulness as a badge of authenticity, it is nothing to boast of. I can't front like I am some goody goody. I really can't, I know people who would pull my card in a minute if they wanted to and would expose me as a fraud if I tried to stick my nose in the air and walk around like I am "all that" morally speaking. I am fully aware that I am in a process of becoming a better person. It is a journey that won't take a day, it will take my whole lifetime.

Hi my name is Karl Nova and I have been guilty of being a hypocrite.

Jesus went hardest at the religious hypocrites. ESPECIALLY those that held positions of power and priviledge over people. He went hardest at the religious elite because they were hypocritical. Think about that for a minute. Let that sink in. If you are being held in high esteem publicly because of people looking up to you as some kind of role model or if people are trying to prop you on a pedestal as someone who is supposed to live up to a particular standard (that they are probably not living themselves) it should make you quake with fear and trembling, especially if you are starting to believe your own hype. If you are projecting some image as some kind of moral super hero or some kind of morally upright picture of perfection then you should begin to shake in your shoes with fear because apart from the fact no one is really that perfect, the people who hail you for that today will definitely nail you tomorrow even if they are not living up to that standard themselves.

Hi my name is Karl Nova and I have been guilty of being a hypocrite. Lord have mercy on me! I just want to be real!