Finding himself desperately in need of money, a man went to the city zoo, hoping to find a job feeding the animals. 

Although no such opportunity was available, the manager, seeing the size and strength of the applicant, suddenly got an idea. 

“You know,” he said, “there are few creatures who attract attention like a gorilla. Unfortunately, ours died yesterday. If we got you a special fur suit, would you be willing to imitate him for a few days?”

The hungry man agreed to try. 

He was quite successful as he beat his chest, bellowed, and shook the bars of the cage, much to the amusement of visitors who said they had never seen a gorilla with such intelligence.

One day, while swinging on his trapeze, he accidentally lost his grip and landed in the lion’s den. 

The huge beast gave a ferocious roar. 

Backing away, the impostor realized he couldn’t cry for assistance without revealing that he was a fake. 

He retreated, hoping to crawl back over the fence into his own cage. 

The lion, however, followed him.

Finally, in desperation, he yelled, “Help!” 

Immediately the lion said in an undertone, “Shut up, man! You’ll get us both fired!”

This amusing story is the perfect example of someone who is being a hypocrite. 

Webster’s dictionary defines a hypocrite as “someone pretending to be what they are not.” 

In public they act one way, but in private they act totally different.

Even Jesus had problems with hypocrites. 

In Matthew 23:25-26, Jesus said: “Woe to you, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and self-indulgence. First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” In other words, we make a mistake when we think that we’re alright in God’s sight simply because we say the right things, go to the right places, or stay away from the wrong things. We must first make sure that our hearts are right with God and then everything else will fall into place.

A farmer once said to a friend, “I have some delicious apples growing in my orchard. If you come over, I’ll give you a bushel.” 

He repeated the offer, but his friend never came. 

Finally, he asked, “John, why didn’t you accept my offer?” 

“Well, to tell you the truth,” said the other, “I have tasted them. As I went along the road a few weeks ago, I picked one up that had fallen over the wall and frankly, I have never eaten anything so sour!”

“Oh,” laughed the farmer. “I thought that might be the case. Those apples around the outside were placed there because we have so many boys in the neighborhood. In order to protect my crop, I selected the sourest varieties to plant around the outer edge of my orchard. When the boys tasted these, they gave up stealing, thinking all the fruit was just as bad. However, if you will come with me, you’ll find that I grow a very different quality on the inside. You’ll really enjoy them. They’re as sweet as honey!”

Those who judge the church by its worst members make the same mistake when they allow the “sour apple hypocrites” to keep them away from the “orchard of fellowship” they might enjoy with God’s saints.

Rev. Doug Johnson is the senior pastor at Raven Assembly of God in Raven, Virginia.