Is there any trace of Judas in your heart? By Charles Spurgeon

Luke chapter 22 verse 48 Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?

Among all the sins that defile the soul, hypocrisy is especially detestable to God. It is not merely sin, it is sin under the mask of righteousness. It is rebellion, dressed in the robes of religion. No man exemplifies this dreadful evil more than Judas Iscariot.

Judas walked with Jesus. He heard his voice, saw his miracles, and shared in his ministry. To all appearances, he was a faithful disciple, trusted enough to keep the money bag. But beneath the surface, his heart was cold, covetous, and corrupt. His outward profession masked an inward love for self and silver. And in the end, he betrayed the Son of God, not with a sword, but with a kiss. That which should have been a sign of love and friendship was desecrated to the vilest of purposes.

What a solemn reminder that hypocrisy is often found among the religious.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!

The most chilling aspect of Judas' sin is how close he was to the Savior, yet how far his heart remained. He called him Rabbi, kissed him as a friend, and yet sold him for the price of a slave. Judas kissed and killed his Lord. The kiss and the betrayal came together. Hypocrites betray Christ still in this way. They profess to love Jesus. They kiss Him. They worship Him with their lips. But their hearts are far from Him.

Jesus' question pierces like a dagger. Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?

The betrayal was not done in hatred, but in false affection. This is the essence of hypocrisy. using the appearance of devotion to cover up sin. Many a man has kissed Jesus and then gone to hell. Let us not be content with mere outward religion. God sees beyond the lips, beyond the motions, beyond the performances. He sees the heart. A hypocrite may fool men, but he cannot fool God. He may be applauded by the crowd, but he will be condemned at the judgment.

The nearer a man lives to Christ, if he is not truly converted, the more terrible will be his eternal ruin. Search your soul. Is there any trace of Judas in your heart? Are your lips speaking peace while your life denies it? Do you name Jesus as Lord but refuse him as Master? Do you have the form of godliness while denying its power?

There is mercy for the repentant, but certain judgment for the pretender. Let us flee from the sin of hypocrisy and run to Jesus in truth. Let us love Him, not with kisses of pretense, but with hearts that are humble, sincere, and wholly His.

You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Matthew chapter 15, verses 7 and 8.