Are We Hypocrites In God's Eyes?

As I endeavor to stay actively involved in the political culture through talk radio and cable news it seems I regularly hear the word hypocrite thrown around. It is usually used about someone who comes out against something and then fails in the practice himself.

Now I don't condone someone publicly stating one thing and then doing another, but I have news that shouldn't be a big revelation. WE ARE ALL HYPOCRITES. It's called being sinners. There is a segment of society that believes if they don't publicly give an opinion or state their values then they are free from being labeled a hypocrite.

To anyone who doesn't think they're not a hypocrite ask them if they strive each day to do good, to do the best job they can, lead honest lives. Now ask them if they have failed in their attempt. They answer will be yes so does that make them a hypocrite? They said they wanted to good, but instead they did wrong.

I decided to go to Websters Dictionary and to God's Word and see how hypocrite is defined and used. Websters has two definitions. 1. a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion and 2. a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. I would say the world operates under the second definition the most. It loves to point to the Ted Haggard's and Rush Limbaugh's of the world for their failures in acting in a way that says we would be better off not offering an opinion on any moral matter lest we might fail in it.

Now when people of influence offer an opinion and even offer one strongly there is no question credibility is lost. Are they being hypocritical? Yes, but it is the credibility of the person, not the message, that is damaged so we need to leave room for repentance and strive to do better the next time with the Lord's help.

What does the Lord say about being a hypocrite? Jesus makes several references when He makes an emphatic point." "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Matthew 7:5. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers ; therefore you will receive greater condemnation." Matthew 23:14

These verses go on and on and you can see in the Word that Jesus is usually talking to the scribes and Pharisees. The Greek word for hypocrite in its context is hupokrites and one of its meaning is an actor or stage player. People acting in dramas would wear masks to cover themselves to not show their true self.

This is the definition we need to be more careful not to be falling into. Are we acting all Godly on Sundays raising hands to worship Him and then dishonoring Him Monday through Saturday by the way we live out our lives. Being a Godly hypocrite is showing yourself to be more public than private. Do we publicly pray for the culture to get better and then privately view internet porn? Do we need accolades when we do ministry or are we happy to know that God knows?

We all know we fall short of God's glorious standard, but when we mess up confess up and be quick to note if others know your sin that we're not trying to change the rules or the standards. Don't fall into the trap that says, "Everyone is doing it" or "Nobody's perfect." We have a standard to follow so let's keep striving for it and not look to lower the bar or our expectations. The Lord will honor our efforts.

Amen!!