Is Hypocrisy a part of your life?

I cannot imagine that anyone would openly want to say that it is.  I know that I never  want to be seen as a hypocrite; however, I know that I have been one. I do plan on trying not to ever be one again for as long as I live.  It is interesting that by trying so hard not to be one, you will hide it if you are a hypocrite. The key seems to be ,once you notice that you are being one, to immediately come clean and get it out of your way.

In the Bible, the religious leaders were hypocrites and seemed totally unaware.   When Jesus addressed them, He said:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.  In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.  Matthew 23:27-28 (NIV)

Recently, I had a chance to talk with a youth group about this passage. I was amazed at the heavy spirit that came from them.  Some talked about how they have so much stuff and do not feel like they could go to their parents about   how it makes them feel. They feel as if they should be giving these resources to people in more need than they are.  It seems that some youth today have to deal with major issues, such as: their parents using porn, getting drunk , doing drugs, being angry, or just not living a life that would be considered biblical.

When you read this and think about it, what are you?  Do you immediately think you are not this bad or do you reflect on where you are a hypocrite?  How can you know for sure you are not?  What can you do to help be as righteous on the inside as the outside?