here are few things worse in human behavior than hypocrisy. Judas Iscariot, for instance, kissed Christ to identify Him to those who came to arrest Him (Luke 22:48). A kiss was a sign of respect and affection in Jewish society. It was a statement of trust and love. Judas’ kiss was a cruel, hypocritical act.

In some ways, that kiss hurt as much as the lashes He later endured. We do not expect someone who shows affection to be plotting and planning against us—but such is the action of a hypocrite.

We have all witnessed or experienced an act of hypocrisy now and then. The trouble with hypocrisy is that it hurts all involved—especially the trust of the deceived and the reputation of the deceiver. Honesty will always be the best policy.