“Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching as doctrine the precepts of men.'” Mark 7:6-7 (NASB)
Jesus could read human hearts–something we are not able to do. Jesus had perfect spiritual discernment–something we do not have. Jesus could call a person a hypocrite out of loving desire for that person’s spiritual awakening. When we call someone else a hypocrite, we are more likely to be venting our displeasure. Of course, there are times when we witness unmistakable hypocrisy and must speak up about it. It is not wise to let such obviously hypocritical behavior go unchecked. Paul’s counsel in Galatians 6:1 is applicable to all believers: “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”