Hypocrisy has long been one of the reasons that people have avoided going to church. When I hear a disillusioned person say something like, “I don’t go to church, they’re all full of hypocrites.” I think, “Isn’t that where they should be?”
When you get right down to it, we are ALL hypocrites. Who hasn’t said to her child, “Remember to share.” and then made a treat for herself and enjoyed it without ever offering some of it to her spouse or child? Who hasn’t admonished her child, “Don’t push.” and then plowed over another person or even her own child with her words?
It is important to remember that Jesus said the real things that have the ability to harm a person are those things that come from the heart. Maybe I haven’t done the outwardly horrible act of murder, but I certainly am guilty of despising people in my heart, and Jesus said that is the same thing. It is our tendency to look at others and say, “Well, I certainly would never… (you fill in the blank)”, when our heart attitude is that we think we are superior to that other person.
Is there a cure for hypocrisy? Yes, but it does not come easily. I believe the opposite of hypocrisy is humility. We all need to remember that we are sinners and in need of Jesus’ forgiveness. If He had not come to the earth to die for us, we would all be destined for an eternity in hell. Did we do anything to deserve heaven? Absolutely not (see Titus 3:5), it is only by His sacrifice. We have nothing of ourselves worth boasting about, no merit that makes us better than another person. Once you have a new life in Christ, Jesus continues to forgive your sins as you confess them (I John 1:9).
It is ironic, but true: When you determine that another person is a hypocrite, you are appointing yourself her judge. For those of us who have a relationship with Jesus, let’s be so thankful to Jesus for all He’s done for us that we don’t take the time to examine another person’s life for hypocrisy.
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