Sermon On Insincerity

Giannis Delimitsos a Greek philosopher and author once remarked: “Many ask: “Why are we so insincere, why are we so hypocrites?” Well, it is because this is how human nature works. If there was a time and a place where human beings were 100% of the time honest, who always said what they had in mind and who didn’t care to cover their shortcomings by displaying a better persona than the “real” one, it is long since gone, wiped out from the relentless force of natural selection.” Luke 10:25-28 confirms: And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

Insincerity is defined as the quality of not expressing genuine feelings. It can include deception, pretense, dishonesty or lies to name but a few of the villainous traits in a nefarious person. Luckily, this only applies to a minority in civilization, intent on their own interests, benefits or worth in life. People like these use the vulnerability or gullibility of others for their own devices. They have no sense of respectability or compassion for those considered less worthy than themselves or, their regarded intended victims as they may be referred to. Jeremiah 5:30-31 reminds us: “An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?”

In 1960, a British comedy feature film was released entitled: “School For Scoundrels.” It featured and starred the renowned and lovable late character actors Terry-Thomas, Ian Carmichael and Alistair Sim. The synopsis of the film is primarily based around a specially formed academy called: “The School of Lifemanship,” which is situated in the Somerset town of Yeovil. The establishment principal, Alistair Sim attempts to teach pupils through a series of classes, covering a varying assortment of subjects in life, the art of “One-upmanship.” One-upmanship is defined as the technique or practice of gaining an advantage or feeling of superiority over another person.

The main plot is featured around the hope of gaining sole affection from a beautiful girl called April Smith between two admirers, Ian Carmichael and Terry-Thomas. Carmichael is considered as an underdog in life and believes he is a complete failure, but owns his own business. He falls in love with April as he bumps into her getting off a bus. Thomas and Carmichael meet in a restaurant where Carmichael is unsuccessfully trying to obtain a table for dinner with his newfound girlfriend, even though his chief clerk is supposed to have previously reserved one. From there, the movie escalates into a series of conflicts between the two men, until Carmichael decides that he needs to address his imperfections in life and attends the college to acquire the necessary knowledge to turn his downtrodden life around for the better. He succeeds beyond all expectations and becomes a star pupil. Terry-Thomas, an acquainted tennis player of the same tennis club where Carmichael plays, is fully briefed in his own art of lifemanship and considered a born winner. He possesses everything that is good, knows all the tricks, and becomes the strong opponent in the search of the girl’s love. He plays the insincere rogue who also has several tricks up his sleeve to belittle his opponent.

Lack of sincerity features prominently throughout the foundations of intent during the motion picture. This is attained by a series of “ploys” taught to the students. Nothing is considered genuine, only false. The true reality of life is hidden and resembles “make-believe.”

However, after a series of comical predicaments and a sequence of successful ploys between Thomas and April, in the final scenes, as justice is deemed to prevail, Ian Carmichael realizes his errors and reforms from his insincere deeds. He speaks the truth and becomes the ultimate winner of the girl’s love. As the movie concludes, the future looks bright for them both, much to the horror and dismay of Terry-Thomas.

1 Peter 2:4-8 reminds us: “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.”