| THE CHAMELEON Lev. 11:30 |
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| The chameleon is mentioned only once in the entire BIble and that as being an unclean animal that the children of Israel were not to eat. Yet, in its characteristics we find much which reminds us of that which the Bible has to say about the act of hypocisy. I. It's Character The word "hypocrite" is found 20 times in the New Testament and is used exclusively by our Lord. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary the word "Hupokrites" means: "primarily denotes one who answers; then, a stage-actor; it was a custom for Greek and Roman actors to speak in large masks with mechanical devices for augmenting the force of the voice; hence the word became used metaphorically of a dissebler, a hypocrite." Thus a hypocrite is one who answers to whatever situation he finds himself in. Such is the chameleon, having the peculiar ability to change his color to whatever he finds himself resting upon. He is the perfect example in nature of camouflage. Like the hypocrite, the chameleon is not actually the color, nor does he partake of the character of this surroundings, but for his own best interests changes to suit his environment. See Matt. 23:25-28. The chameleon has another peculiarity. His eyes can move independently of each other, so that he is able to look in opposite directions at the same time. So does the hypocrite. Read Ps. 12:1,2. (A double heart is literally "an heart and an heart." This is the proverbial attempt to have one foot in the church and the other in the world. This is that attempt to do that which God said you cannot do in Matt. 6:24. See James 1:8. The hypocrite like the chameleon is pretending to be that which he is not. II. It's Concern The question is, why doe the hypocrite thusly? The answer is two fold. Like the chameleon the hypocrite does not want to be recognized for what he is. It is a protective device. See Matt. 23:29-33. Secondly, the chameleon does not want to be recognized because he is a predator. His camouflag enables him to creep upon unsuspecting inscts, etc. and take them easily. So it is with the hypocrite. He is a predator desiring to find his own ease and profit. See Matt. 23:1-24. III. It's Consequences Since the hypocrite is not genuine, only a pretender, he does not possess genuine salvation. As a sinner he is on the road to destruction. As a hypocrite he is self deceived as to his real need of a Savior. See 1 John 1:8 and Matt. 23:22 |
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