Why is it important for Christians to be free from hypocrisy?

Hypocrisy undermines the authenticity of worship and reflects a heart that is not aligned with God. Jesus warned against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, pointing out how their outward righteousness masked inner corruption (Luke 12:1). True worship should come from a place of sincerity and truth, as highlighted in scripture, where God desires hearts that genuinely seek Him, not those performing for appearances. Hypocrisy can mislead others and leads to spiritual decline within the church community.