Hypocrisy in the Christian church is a huge problem.
Even Christians say we’re hypocritical. Being a hypocrite means we believe something, but act contrary to that belief; having a double standard; duplicitous. Christian Hypocrisy means pretending to be better or more “holy” than someone else while privately being the same as other people.
Christian Hypocrisy means pretending to be more “holy” than someone else while privately being the same as other people.
For example, it’s hypocritical to talk about having “joy” and “peace” in our life, when our lives are just as messed up, stressful, and turbulent as everyone else. Christian hypocrisy is evident when we pass righteous judgment on someone else, while ignoring our own problems.
From “anonymous” on thinkatheist.com
“I do agree that Christians can be good people. But, not good enough to defy their god by doing some community outreach with “hell-bound” people. I would never consider being a Christian, but I might consider not being so critical if more Christians were open and genuine and willing to actually talk about their beliefs. Their arrogance (“we know the truth, you don’t”) belies the hypocrisy of whatever acceptance/love they could muster.”
Jesus spoke about and warned against such Hypocrisy.
To be fair, being a hypocrite is not an exclusive Christian condition. It’s a human condition. Anyone who says “I’m not hypocritical” is by default…a hypocrite :-).
However, the reason why hypocrisy is an issue in the Christian church is because we’re the ones preaching about living a more holy or pure lifestyle. You don’t hear many agnostics or atheists telling other people how to live. Being “preachy” is a very accurate label for our Christian faith. So, the burden of proof lies with us. We must DO what we SAY…or we should stop saying. Anything less is the worst kind of hypocrisy.
Every Christian is guilty of living a sinful life. It’s impossible to completely escape sin on our own. When we speak or live in a way that hides our sins, or we act as if we do not struggle with any sins, we start down the hypocritical road.
We live as if our sins are not as bad as other people’s sins.
We begin to live as if we are better than those who do not go to church. We live as if our sins are not as bad as other people’s sins. Just because our sins have been forgiven because we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, this doesn’t mean we have a license to sin.
This is exactly what the Bible warns us against.
We need to confess our own sins to one another, and look at each other as equally burdened with sin. And when we live in a way that demonstrates that we are all equal in our plight, we can begin to see the value of Christ as a savior to us all.
The label of “hypocrite!” will fall away only when we become real and transparent, and when we learn to address our own sin as effortlessly as we like to address sin in others.
It is so much easier to define a hypocrite than to change one. Hypocrisy seems to be a part of our ancestral heritage. Even the most spiritually mature people find that beliefs are easier to own than actions. The problem is more insidious because hypocrisy doesn’t automatically mean insincerity. That’s right, a hypocrite can be sincere. They’re just believing lies, not believing truths and mindless or without strong convictions about their own beliefs. Said differently, a believer can be sincere in what they believe. But they may be sincerely wrong. Unfortunatley, that earns them the hypocrite label because they aren’t walking the talk. So now, we’ve separated the hypocrites into two camps: those who sincerely don’t know they’re hypocrites – and those who have a pretty good idea that they’re living examples of hypocrisy. Which would be the easier to reform?
Of course Christians are hypocrites. The church is supposed to be a hospital for hypocrites. Of course, we can’t live up to our calling, it’s a really high calling. That’s why we need Christ, who helps us — little by little, day by day. Christians are most definitely NOT better than others. In fact, we realize that we are worse because we acknowledge our sin. But, while we are not better than others, we ought to be better than we used to be. We should be improving in our walk. Yet, Christians who boast about their virtue probably haven’t really faced their own sin. It is not our virtue that we should be talking about. We should be talking about the righteousness of Christ. He’s the virtuous one.
Of course Muslims are terrorists. The Mosque is supposed to be a hospital for suicide bombers. Of course, we can’t live up to our calling, it’s a really high calling. That’s why we need Allah, who helps us – little by little, day by day. Muslims are most definitely NOT better than others. In fact, we realize that we are worse because we acknowledge our sin. But while we are not better than others, we ought to be better than we used to be. Like maybe, we should strap a few hundred grams less TNT to our bomb vests when we’re blowing ourselves up on a bus. Yet, Muslims who boast about their virtue probably haven’t really faced their own sin. It is not our virtue that we should be talking about. We should be talking about the glory of Allah. He’s the virtuous one.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, said Jesus. Our sins are so great, but whatever we do we rejoice in Jesus Christ. What a Saviour of sinner! Is he yours.
Sorry, wrong link to website .
The above mentioned people made mention that they would be more willing to work with Christians if they weren’t hypocrites. What is a hypocrite? How do those people determine what a hypocrite is? Do they realize that they themselves are hypocrites? Do they realize they’re liars if they disagree that they’re hypocrites? I know of NOBODY in Christendom, of which I’ve been a member for 30+ years, who says they are sinless. NOBODY. Known many from just about every denomination as well. Not ONE person have I met said they were sinless. The problem that I’ve noticed for the ‘most’ part is this: Jesus said X shall not inherit the kingdom of God Paul says Y shall not inherit the kingdom of God Make that X & Y anything you want from the list. Homosexuality, Drunkards, adultery, coveting, stealing, liars, pridefully, etc….. Unless I’m LIVING in way that is unbiblical, and not being loving towards others, you’re not a hypocrite. Getting angry today while maybe a sin, doesn’t make you a ‘HYPOCRITE’, it makes you a ‘hypocrite’. However, if you’re having sex with everyone but your spouse and saying you shouldn’t, then you’re a hypocrite. That’s what Jesus and Paul are speaking of.