Never Out of Character

It has been a while since the comedian, Robin Williams, took his own life. Probably by now, millions of words have been written and read about him, his career, his family, etc. In addition to that, countless words have been written about depression, suicide, the “shallowness” of fame and fortune, and a host of other things connected with him and his passing.

I hesitate to add to all of the dialogue, but one comment I heard has been on my mind ever since I heard it shortly after his death. The comment was made by a man who was identified as a friend of his.

I can’t remember the exact quote, but it was something to the effect that this friend had known Mr. Williams for thirty-five years, but that he had never really known him. The reason for that, his friend said was (and I do remember this part of the quote) “he was never out of character.”

By that, of course, he meant that Robin Williams was always “putting on an act.” Even when he was not in the spotlight, he was “on”…even with close friends. For that reason, maybe nobody ever saw the “real” person.

Some of the thoughts I’ve had about that quote center around word that is used in both the Old and New Testament. Interestingly enough, every occurrence in the New Testament is from the lips of Jesus Himself. It is also of interest that our Lord had nothing good to say about this word.

That word is “hypocrite.” According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, the Greek word means:

…a ‘stage actor’; it was a custom for Greek and Roman actors to speak in large masks with mechanical devices for augmenting the force of the voice; hence the word became used metaphorically of ‘a dissembler, a hypocrite.

It is important for each of us to be “real.” This seems to be especially true with regard to those who are close to us. How sad it would be for a friend, a child, or a spouse to never really know us.

However, there is another and even more important aspect of this. Every time Jesus used the word “hypocrite” He was talking to or about religious people. He denounced them because their worship of, devotion to, and relationship with God were all just part of an act. In short, it could be said that their entire life could be characterized as being never out of character.

What the world saw was the mask; not the real person. What our Lord saw was the real person and He did not like it at all.

Please consider some words written a long time ago by David. They may help all of us to determine whether our commitment to God is real or if we are merely playing a part.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

–Psalm 139:23-24

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