Hypocrisy ... an excuse, a cop-out or a cancer?

A well known Sydney Anglican, on more than one occasion, had a neat response to the non-Christian's claim that "the church is full of hypocrites!" The pastor would respond that we are not actually FULL of hypocrites, there's still plenty of room to join us! Meaning - "hypocrisy" is not the sole possession of Christians; "hypocrisy" is in fact, everywhere.

Be that as it may, “hypocrisy” does get powerful press when exhibited by a Christian – whether it be a fallen mega-pastor or the struggling Christian next door. This ‘sin’ is quickly latched onto and used as a weapon against us – which leaves us to ponder on the nature of hypocrisy. What actually is it?

In Matthew 23, Jesus gives some religious people are real serve (a BIG serve) about ‘hypocrisy’. Jesus hated hypocrisy and He certainly didn’t hold back with these guys! For example, this is what He said (in part only):

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." Mt 23:25-28

Jesus’ very strong words are directed at these guys because Jesus viewed them as hypocrites; as ‘frauds’.

So is that correct; are hypocrites ‘frauds’?

What is a ‘hypocrite’ anyway?

We often use the term by way of abuse. If someone does something we know they’ve already spoken or acted against, we may call them a ‘hypocrite’.

I would suggest, however, that we (all of us, in fact) be very, very careful that we don’t call someone a ‘hypocrite’ at all unless we have a clear grasp of the word and we have a rock solid clear (and loving) motive before we do!!!

I would also go so far as to suggest that we first examine ourselves very clearly under a huge powerful microscope before we even think of calling another person a
‘hypocrite’.

We need to maintain a very clear distinction between a bone fide “hypocrite” and acts of ‘hypocrisy’.

So, what is ‘hypocrisy’ (as we use it)? What is a ‘hypocrite’?

The word ‘hypocrisy’ comes from a Greek word. The word is hupocrites; and a hypocrite, a good hypocrite, in classical Greek was, among other things, a good actor. That’s what the word means. It means an actor. So you might after a play, turn to somebody, if you lived in ancient Greece and say, "My goodness, tonight you were really good hypocrite" and they would say, "Thank you very much indeed." (William Barclay, New Testament Words, Westminster, 1964).

We, of course, don’t use it quite like that, though it still means acting.

A ‘hypocrite’ is a person who lives a life of pretending.

More concerned with image and with appearance than with consistency, with integrity and with reality.

And hypocrisy was clearly a significant issue for Jesus so that He addressed it on a number of occasions. He clearly hated it.

So yes, a ‘hypocrite’ is a pretender, a fraud, an actor; a “mask’ wearer! (probably the best illustration I can give you re: true hypocrisy!

A ‘hypocrite’ is a pretend “Christian” (or a pretend "whatever") – a person who says one thing with their mouths but adopting a different lifestyle altogether that is NOT consistent with the way a Christian ought to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let me get personal here: Am I a ‘hypocrite’?

MY ANSWER: NO!

Am I guilty of hypocritical actions (hypocrisy) i.e. do I sometimes go against what I believe and teach others to be true?

ANSWER: YES!

Does that make me a ‘hypocrite’?

NO.

Why not?

Because my commitment and my lifestyle (thanks to Jesus) are consistent with my beliefs – the Gospel. So call me many things if you like but don’t call me a 'hypocrite' (actor) even if I stuff up from time to time for all of you to see (I am, after all, a redeemed sinner).

It is true, however, that some non-Christians really struggle with alleged hypocrisy of Christians.

Some non-believers DO struggle with Christians, especially, who are in positions of leadership, – sometimes entirely reliant on what the secular press states about a fellow believer in leadership.

We, then, create “perceptions” in our minds about these people; and they may be true or not. We condemn others via the filtering systems of other people.

However, whether we ourselves are in leadership or not, all of us who claim to be Christians would do well to stop sometimes and examine whether we come across as alleged ‘hypocrites’ because our ‘hypocrisy’ well may become a powerful turn-off to those in the world.

BUT (can I write that again) BUT, in some senses, the charge of hypocrisy can be an easy excuse – an easy way out.

Many of us know someone who refuses to have anything to do with Jesus because he/she believes that “the Church is full of hypocrites” to which we, too, could reply “NO WE’RE NOT FULL AT ALL, THERE’S STILL PLENTY OF ROOM FOR SOME MORE SO WHY DON’T YOU COME AND JOIN US.” But we wouldn’t say that!

The excuse used by some non-believers that the church is full of hypocrites can often be really a lame excuse and a cop out.

Michael Green claims that this excuse, in reality, helps a person to avoid the real issues in his/her life such as:

1. I don’t want to get up on Sunday mornings or
2. Because I don’t believe in God the way Christians do or
3. Because I like my life the way it is and I don’t want to consider the ‘Someone’ Who might ask me to change.

However, in reality, we must admit that there are hypocrites in the church and there always will be. So what we really should be saying is, ‘Are you really going to let a few hypocrites keep you from knowing God?

“Are you really going to let a few hypocrites affect your eternal destiny with God?”

“Are you fully aware that God is not going to accept that excuse when you see Him at the Judgement?’

Puts it in a different light, doesn’t it!

When all is said and done it’s a lame excuse isn’t it because for every hypocrite in the church there are dozens of committed, loving, compassionate believers in the church – some so gutsy they literally lay down their life for their faith in Jesus Christ (as some did today).

And in the end, the Gospel is not about me at all (guilty of acts of 'hypocrisy’) – it is all about the Lord Jesus Christ in whom there is NO hypocrisy!

Stephen Cracknell

(External sources used in this article such as "You Must Be Joking"by Michael Green).