READ Proverbs 11:9

How many times do we hear people complain about the hypocrites in the church or ministry?  They say, teach, or preach on thing, but their life is not consistent with what they say.  Proverbs says that living that way destroys other people.  What you are saying may be true and Biblically accurate, but when people see that you live the life of a hypocrite, then they tend to not do or hear.  You damage your testimony and the cause of Christ.

On the other hand, Proverbs says that the just will be delivered through knowledge.  The contrast between the just and the hypocrite is unique because both of them have knowledge.  Both of them know what to do.  The just is delivered because he acts on what he knows.

This verse also underscores the importance of gaining knowledge.  You may be solely dedicated to God's Will for your life, and willing do to anything He wants; but, if you do not read His Word, and study it, you will not be able to act on what you know.  The same thing that condemns the hypocrite exalts the just.  The just are praised for their reaction to knowledge, while the hypocrite is judged for his dismissal of knowledge.

What type of Christian are you known as?  Do you acts as an hypocrite, or as the just?  Even at the risk of being called 'legalistic', I would rather be called a faithful servant to what I have been commanded, than to be a slothful servant who ignored my Master.