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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Perhaps no accusation is more provocative than that of "hypocrite." Unfortunately, some feel justified in their view that all Christians are hypocrites. The term "hypocrite" enjoys a rich heritage ...
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Jennifer Henkel
Supporter
If you've ever told a lie, then you are a liar. If you've ever stolen an item, even something small, you are now a thief. If you've ever done something you tell others not to do, then you're a hypocrite. Bottom line: Every human is probably a liar, thief and, no one can honestly claim to be free of hypocrisy. God is perfect, and desires His followers to live by His rules, but we all fall short. That's why Jesus, God Himself, came to pay for our sins and shortcomings, and in rising from the dead, promises that His followers will be forgiven and live forever with Him in glory. Why single out Christians as hypocrites? The truth is, we are ALL hypocritical in our lives. Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Taoists, atheists, everyone. None of us should claim holiness or perfection.
David Whitley
Supporter
The short answer is this; a person who makes moral claims of others and who himself doesn't follow or attain them, that is a hypocrite. However there are two important distinctions that need to be made here, first would be the person who says he is one thing but is in fact another, he is more than a hypocrite he is a liar. Secondly, and even more important a distinction should be made of the person who knows he is a sinner, falling short of the standards of God but who still recognizes the standards of God and proclaims them to the world. This person is like David, a man after God's own heart. A sinner who recognizes his failures and repents and also recognizes that the world must know the standard and doesn't dilute it to fit his life or mask his fleshly failures. It is far better for a drunk (knowing he is a drunk and recognizing his sinful state) to inform his children on the wickedness of drinking (not to be like dad) than an abstainer to tell his kids their is nothing wrong with the pleasures of drinking/drunkenness. The world will call you a hypocrite for pointing out right and wrong - but simply remember to proclaim God's truth never makes one a hypocrite, if he himself repents and simply asks others to do the same. The standard remains whether or not we see it, recognize it or proclaim it. To "go" and "do" so is our job as Christians and those who are convicted for how they live will always lash out and despise the ones who speak the truth.
Glenn Harrell
Supporter
Two--Two--Two questions in one... Are all Christians hypocrites? As a verb--yes, They can be/act hypocritical. As a noun---no. They are God's children growing and learning how Christ is being perfected in themselves. Why are all Christians hypocrites? I hope my first answer also answered this one.
Dannie Murdoch
Supporter
Sadly we as Christians are seen as hypocrites even by other Christians. We are fundamentally sinners who by grace are redeemed by the death of Jesus on Cross. I have no doubt we all love the Lord with all our hearts but we do sin even unintentionally. We ask for forgives by confessing our sins and laying them at the foot of the cross. However for those who observe us, our sin, in their eyes makes us look like hypocrites. They fail to realise or understand that although we are Christians we can and do fail sometimes and often spectacularly. Thankfully we have a God who died for our sins past, present and future (that is not a green light to intentionally sin) and on confession of our sins God forgives us. This failure by Christians to those watching us with critical eyes highlights the fact that they do not understand the fundamentals of Gospel. This misunderstanding make us in their eyes hypocrites. This perception of Christians being hypocrites is actually a stumbling block which prevents many people from becoming Christians. They perceive us as being perfect when we are not. They think we should be perfect and when we fail it opens the door to the accusation of being hypocrites. As Christians we should use this accusation of being hypocrites as an opportunity to explain the Gospel.
James Kraft
Supporter
First John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. First John 1:8 If we say we have not sinned, we call God a liar. If I say I am a sinner, I tell you the truth. Romans 3:23 and Romans 3:9-10. The good news. Jesus died for sinners. Romans six:23 For the wages of sin is death, but, the good news, THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE. Not a reward for good behavior. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace ye are saved, what Jesus did for us, through faith, the second we believe it, and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God, NOT OF WORKS, We can not save ourselves, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST. YOU CAN NOT BOAST IN FREE. I am a sinner saved by grace apart from works. Romans 4:5. But to him that worketh not, but believe on Him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 11:six. All grace, no works. Free Gift. I have nothing to boast in because I did nothing for the free gift of eternal life. If you think I have no sin, ask my wife of sixty one years. Strange but true, we can always see the sin in others, but not our own. I am so glad I am not like those sinners the Pharisee said to himself. I am a sinner saved by grace. Romans 11:29 For the GIFTS, eternal life, and the calling of God are without repentance. Irrevocable, can not be changed back. The gospel. The good news. First Corinthians 15:1-4 That Christ died for my sins, according to the scriptures, that He was buried and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures.
Grant Abbott
Supporter
All Christians are hypocrites every time we judge other people by the standards of conduct (God’s law & will in the bible) that we ourselves cannot keep. That is what so many people find completely offensive about Christians. “How dare you tell me how I should live my life?” people will often think and sometimes say. It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict people of their sins, not ours. And they are right! We are not the judge of other people, only Jesus is. He made that crystal clear to us in his Sermon on the Mount, with his hyperbolic story of the speck and plank. Consider Jesus words carefully: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces (Matthew 7:1-6). Jesus is depicting an impossible situation. We can’t take the plank out of our own eye. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. So we honestly can’t see well enough to take the speck out of another person’s eye (to judge them). But we live in a judgemental culture in which people make judgements about everything. Yet Christians are called out of this culture - to stop judging. So what are we to do. Here’s what I think. We are to love other people unconditionally - passionately, wholeheartedly, and continuously - just the way God loves us. And as the apostle Peter told us “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us (1 Peter 2:12).
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Not all Christians are hypocrites! If we, as Christians, heed what Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, we won't be hypocrites: Mat 6:2 Thus whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, they have their reward. Mat 6:5 “Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues 1 and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward." Mat 6:16 “When you fast, do not look sullen like the hypocrites, for they make their faces unattractive so that people will see them fasting. I tell you the truth, they have their reward." Mat 7:5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Luke 6:42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while you yourself don’t see the beam in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Daniel Veler
Supporter
If you read the parable of the tares you see that the lost have intermingled with the children of God. What you’re seeing are the tares which are the children of the devil. Look for the wheat who are the children of God. Matthew 13: The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, "Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares?" 28 He said unto them, "An enemy hath done this." The servants said unto him, "Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?" 29 But he said, "Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, 'Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.'" By understanding this parable you’ll see the children of God versus the children of Satan.
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