The Hypocrisy of Virtue Signaling

Sometime in the year 2016, I became aware of a new term having been introduced into the American cultural vocabulary, virtue signaling. I believe the label was created by Republican conservatives who became weary of elite Democratic and Liberal political pundits telling the nation what to eat, drink, say, think, and do. Enough already!

One reason for the pushback by Conservatives, and their adopting a new label for those on the political Left, is because of the hypocrisy of those who engage in virtue signaling.

While accusing Donald J. Trump, of colluding with the Russians in order to steal the 2016 presidential election, an accusation for which there is not a single piece of evidence, the Democrat Party leadership really did rig the election to make certain that Hillary Clinton became the nominee over the Communistic Socialist, Bernie Sanders.

While lecturing the nation on the importance of being pro-choice, the biased media, supported by the Democratic Party funded Planned Parenthood, which sold baby body parts, until Representative Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee led Congress to end this barbaric, inhumane, and immoral practice of those who slaughter the unborn for profit.

While condemning candidate Donald Trump of being a misogynist, Democrats politicians, and Hollywood Liberals honored Roman Polanski with an Oscar, though the world knew he raped a 13 year old child. Democrats running for political office received close to two million dollars from a known misogynist, who used the power and position of Hollywood’s infamous Casting Couch to seduce and rape young starlets. Hush money was paid out if anyone complained.

Because of double standards involved in virtue signaling, a closer look should be taken at what the Word of God has to say about hypocrisy.

There are two basic words translated “hypocrite” in the Bible. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word is, chaneph, and means, to become soiled (i.e. with sin), impious. In the New Testament the Greek word is, hupokrites, and refers to an actor under an assumed character, such as a stage-player, that is, figuratively, the word has reference to a dissembler. Taken together, the concept is presented that a hypocrite is someone who has soiled their soul with sin, and, while pretending to be holy and good remain impious in behavior. A hypocrite may articulate well an orthodox belief, but the behavior does not conform to the rhetoric.

The hypocrite is a person who appears to be virtuous, but whose heart is really far from God. “He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.” (Job 13:16)

It is possible for the hypocrite to be recognized, and hated. “Upright men shall be astounded at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.” (Job 17:8) It is not wrong to hate what God hates. God hates falsehood, murder, and injustice. “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Prov. 6:16-19)

While hypocrites rejoice in their self-appointed role of moralizing, such happiness does not last long. Time and again they are exposed as being greedy, lustful, hateful, verbally depraved, and lacking any form of a true moral code. “That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?” (Job 20:5)

The virtue signaling hypocrite has a false hope of being found acceptable in the eyes of God. “For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?” (Job 27:8)

It is not wrong to pray against the hypocrite, lest others be led astray. Let Christians pray, “That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.” (Job 34:30)

The hypocrite tries to destroy others with his lips, but is not always successful. “An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” (Prov. 11:9)

Knowing the hearts of men God hates the hypocrite, and in the Day of Judgment will show no mercy. The Divine promise is that one day “the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.” (Job 15:34)

Virtue signaling hypocrites enjoy telling others their faults, and how to correct them while doing nothing about their own personal moral and spiritual failures. Jesus has something to say to such people. “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” (Matt. 7:5)

Hypocrites are notorious for displaying a moral superiority of “Do as I say and not as I do.” “The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?” (Luke 13:15)

Jesus listed and condemned, many specific sins of the virtue signaling hypocrites of His day embodied in the Pharisees.

The virtue signaling hypocrite loves to be seen of men in the matter of giving. “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” (Matt. 6:2)

The virtue signaling hypocrite loves to be seen of men in times of prayer. “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” (Matt. 6:5)

The virtue signaling hypocrite loves to be seen of men in times of fasting. Respect is demanded from others, though none is given in return. “ Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” (Matt. 6:16)

The virtue signaling hypocrite has a heart that is secretly hostile to God in worship. “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” (Matt. 15:7)

The virtue signaling hypocrite has no true understanding of the Bible. “And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” (Matt. 16:43)

The virtue signaling hypocrite is willing to use verbal deceit in order to win a religious debate. Matthew 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

The virtue signaling hypocrite will keep others from going to heaven, if possible. “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” (Matt. 23:13)

The virtue signaling hypocrite is motivated by material gain. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” (Matt. 23:14)

The virtue signaling hypocrite has zeal to promote false teaching. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” (Matt. 23:15)

The virtue signaling hypocrite places more value on symbols than spiritual substance. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” (Matt. 23:23)

The virtue signaling hypocrite is externally wholesome, but internally corrupt. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.” (Matt. 23:25)

The virtue signaling hypocrite is able to make a fine presentation of himself outwardly. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” (Matt. 23:27)

The virtue signaling hypocrite pretends to honor the very prophets shown disrespect to. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous. “(Matt. 23:29)

The virtue signaling hypocrite shall be assigned a proper place with the wicked. “And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 24:51)

The virtue signaling hypocrite is capable of hiding his true agenda. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.” (Luke 11:44) Today, Orwellian words are used to cover the depravity of human behavior. Pro-choice is a euphemism to destroy the precious life of the unborn babies. “Black Lives Matter” is a slogan used to cover the violence of not obeying the police. Antifa is a word for an organization that wants to engage in political violence and social unrest while shutting down free speech. Homophobia is a word used to shame anyone who protests the unnatural and unhealthy practice of homosexuality.

While Christians and Conservatives push back against the virtue signaling of those who truly do have an agenda of evil, care must be taken to live a wholesome and authentic life that is pleasing to the Lord.