I heard it again, a few days ago! I won’t go to that church, they’re all hypocrites!
Are you pretty good at tellin’ others what to do, but maybe you don’t listen to what you are sayin’? You know what I’m talkin’ about, “Do as I say, not as I do.” How many of us, as parents, teachers, coaches, leaders, or – yes, even pastors have ever said something similar?
There are a great number of folks who claim that they won’t attend church because of someone else who attends and the way they act. “I am not going to have anything to do with church because it is full of hypocrites.”
“I’ll tell you what, I see where the Bible teaches one thing and some of them church members do just the opposite.” Yes, that is called sin. The Church is full of sinners, and just as Paul says, “I am the greatest.”
It’s called hypocrisy which originates in the Greek. It’s Greek to me! Seriously, it was a theatrical term describing an actor that played two or more roles often wearing a mask as a disguise. That’s where we get two-faced from. We have some other names for it as well.
Hypocrisy is all about living a lie. It involves deception, dishonesty, and trickery. Why does this person do this? Often, he does it to seek praise and approval from others. But we need to know; God is not pleased! Jesus commands us in Matthew 6 not to be hypocritical in our giving, our prayers, or in our fasting.
And, yes, there are hypocrites in the church. A hypocrite can destroy not only his own reputation, but also the reputation of the local church as well.
Jesus pointed out that the scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites for they did not do at all as they taught. Matthew 23:2-3, “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.” (nasb) But is a preacher or teacher to be considered a hypocrite because he teaches God’s word, yet has sin in his life? Paul said in 1 Tim 1:15, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Paul wasn’t excused as a result of this and nor should we!
So are preachers hypocrites? It is true that James 3:1 warns that preachers and teachers “will incur a stricter judgment.” As a minister, God requires me to preach Truth from the Word of God. If I only preach on the subjects I have mastered there would be very little left for me to talk about. When I stand on my “preacher’s box,” As for me, I stand as part of the group. When I speak, I am first preaching to myself. God convicts me, and then He shows me through His word. Then, He guides me to prepare a message that I need to hear. And, no doubt, the local body needs to hear it as well! So, in proclaiming God’s Word, while proclaiming we have yet to master sin, we are not being hypocrites. Those who make false claims will be judged.
The trouble is that the world is confused! They somehow have the idea that followers of God should never fail! But folks, the church is plum full of sinners. Now, as to whether not having to surround yourself with sinners is some sort of a valid excuse for staying away from church and surrendering your life to Christ, you’ll have to take that up with God. But, God won’t go against His Word!
Choose Jesus, choose life! And find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! Tell others! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’ for HIS HARVEST! And y’all please KEEP PRAYIN’ for RAIN! Amen