One of the most common reasons people cite for leaving the church or the faith altogether is hypocrisy. What pretends to be genuine faith in God turns out to have hidden, ulterior motives. Jesus fights against this corruption His entire ministry and brings it to a head in eight “Woes” against the scribes and Pharisees. Christians are called to imitate the Lord Jesus in every way, including His fight against sin and injustice. He doesn’t lose self-control or attack the Pharisees for the fun of it but in order to protect the sheep, equip the church, the build His kingdom. A city with no walls will not stand and a church with no defense against hypocrisy cannot endure. Faithful leaders and believers must strive to imitate Jesus.