Answering Criticisms
"All Christians Are Hypocrites"
Introduction
1. This is quite a criticism that is often leveled against Christians for a variety of reasons by both unbelievers and believers alike.
2. We shall consider several aspects of this accusation.
I. What Is A Hypocrite?
A. Definitions:
1. The word "hypocrisy" is from the Greek word "hupokrisis" meaning literally, "To answer, play-acting, hence, pretence." (Vine, page 241).
2. “A hypocrite is a person who attempts to live two lives simultaneously: the public persona is an act or pretence. The real persona is lived out in private. In many cases, though, such people are often ‘caught out’ when they are seen in private behaving contrary to their public persona or when their true persona ‘peeks out’ in public.” (Quotes & Things, D. Collins).
B. In Christianity, then, a hypocrite is one who professes to live according to the teachings of the Scriptures but whose behavior is contradictory of such. However, one must make a clear distinction between one who walks in hypocrisy and one who walks sincerely but stumbles from time-to-time.
1. A hypocritical person - this is a person whose life-style is one of pretence. This person pretends to live according to Christian principles in public but, in private,lives contrary to such. This is one who is pretending to be religious because of some advantage that this brings.
2. A sincere person – this is a person who consistently lives a lifestyle according to Christian principles, both in public and in private.
C. It is important to understand that when a person slips or errs from time-to-time, this does not mean that one is a hypocrite. Here are two illustrations:
“John was know for his thrifty life-style and mean spirit. He never helped his neighbors, never gave to charity, in short, he didn’t care about anyone or anything. Yet one day, he came across a young girl in hospital who was constantly crying out in pain and who had but a short time to live. ‘What’s wrong with her?’ he asked. ‘She has a rare disease and has just a few hours to live. The medicine to save her is available but is has to come from abroad and is to expensive for this hospital to purchase,’ explained the doctor. The young girl’s cries became louder as the disease ate away her internal organs. John was suddenly moved with compassion. He paid for both the medicine, it’s transportation from abroad and the girl’s rehabilitation. But John continued to live his selfish and uncaring life and considered that episode as merely a moment of weakness. No one cared when John died at the age of 72 and was buried in the local cemetery. Don’t bother looking for his grave, he was to mean to pay for a headstone.”
“Becky had been a faithful Christian all her life. She was known for her great kindness in providing for the needy and her generosity to various charities. However, on one occasion she was enticed be her ‘friends’ to attend a birthday party where she got drunk and made a fool of herself. When she sobered up and realized what she had done, she was very remorseful and prayed earnestly that God would forgive her for her sin. You can be sure that she never done such a thing ever again. The rest of her life was filled with good works and she was admired by all. She died in road accident at 44 years old. Her funeral was a grand occasion and attended by all her family, all the brethren from the church, and all the people she had shown kindness over the years. She was buried in the local cemetery. Her grave is not hard to find and the best kept grave in the whole cemetery.”
1. In the first example, John lived a life that was selfish and uncaring. His one act of kindness was certainly memorable but, in the end, he was remembered for what he really was.
2. In the second example, Becky lived a life that was unselfish and caring. Her one act of foolishness was certainly an embarrassing memory but, in the end, she was remembered for what she really was.
II. Who Makes Such An Accusation?
A. Christians who are on the verge of falling away or who have fallen away will often seek to justify such by labeling their brethren as hypocrites.
B. Non-Christians:
1. Those who reject Christianity will often justify such on the basis that ‘the church is full of hypocrites.’
2. Some seek to dissuade their Christian partners by labeling all Christians as hypocrites.
III. What Gives Rise To Such An Accusation?
A. It is true that there are hypocrites within the church. Whether Christian or non-Christian, we have all, no doubt, known or know people whose lifestyle is contrary to their to their profession.
1. The apostle Paul acknowledged that some preached Jesus from other than fine motives:
"Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:" (Philippians 1:15)
2. Ananias and Sapphira are two well known hypocrites (Acts 5:1-11).
B. However, to say that all Christians are hypocrites is not true and I suspect that those who make such a statement do not believe it themselves.
1. History is replete with examples of men and women who laid down their lives, suffering horrible deaths rather than deny Christ; a hypocrite would hardly be willing to do so.
a. Most people are familiar with the accounts of those early Christians who suffered excruciatingly painful torture and death at the hands Nero? Christians were thrown to the lions and many were covered in oil and used as lanterns to light Nero’s gardens. It is a gross insult to read of these accounts and call these Christians hypocrites!
b. In relatively recent times, men such as William Tindale suffered greatly for their faith…were these also hypocrites?!
2. The following Scriptures demonstrate the sincerity of certain men:
a. Peter and John were arrested, interrogated, beaten, and threatened not to preach anymore in the name of Jesus (Acts 5:26-40). Despite these things, the apostles continued preaching (Acts 5:41-42). These are the actions of ones who are sincere.
b. A Pharisee named Saul was persecuting the church and having those who professed to be Christians thrown into jail (Acts 8:3-4). Yet these Christians (at least those who were sincere) did not turn back on there faith.
c. Paul and Silas were imprisoned for preaching Jesus but this did not deter them (Acts 16:16-17:4).
IV. Are You Deceiving Yourself?
A. While it is true that there are hypocrites in the church, we ask, “Is this a valid reason for your disobedience?”
1. To Christians who are on the brink of falling away and those who have fallen away.
a. Yes, there are hypocrites in the church but this does not in anyway detract from the truth. Whether people practice Christianity sincerely or not, the truth is the truth.
“I have been a Christian for near on twenty five years and in this time I have known Christians who were liars, thieves, homosexuals, drunkards, etc. Yet such hypocrisy has never led me to deny that what Jesus teaches is untrue or invalid. If all who claim to be Christians are hypocrites and I am the only one who is sincere then so be it. I will remain faithful to God until I draw my last breath. I cannot deny truth simply because others do not practice it” (Quotes & Things, D. Collins).
b. You must not let other people’s failings discourage you to the point of unfaithfulness.
1) Judas, one of the twelve, was a thief but his hypocrisy did not deter the other apostles.
2) The hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira did not deter the other brethren.
c. If you are on the verge of falling away or have completed the process then do not deceive yourself and seek to blame others for your unfaithfulness. The reason for your unfaithfulness is within YOU. It is the deceitfulness of sin that has leads to unbelief:
"He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." (Matthew 13:22)
"12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:12-13)
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." (James 1:14)
2. To non-Christians who reject the gospel or seek to discourage their partners:
a. Yes, there are hypocrites in the church but there are, more than likely, hypocrites in your workplace, your social club…even some of your friends are probably hypocrites! Yet you still go to work, etc. You need to stop deceiving yourself and face up to the real reason that you that reject the gospel…because you prefer to live an immoral life!
" 19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:19-20)
b. Further, you may choose to reject the gospel but you no right to dissuade anyone else from being a Christian. You have to respect the choice that others make. Just as they have to respect your choice. But your hostility is not totally unexpected for Jesus says…
"And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household." (Matthew 10:36)
B. The hypocrisy of others is not a valid reason to reject Christianity. The truth is still the truth and the choice you make is entirely YOUR responsibility. Consider this final thought…
“When I was at school, I found that I was one of only a few boys that were actually interested in getting an education. We were a small minority that buckled down to hard work in the classroom and stayed up late to get our homework done. The other boys in my class seemed to spend most of their time horsing around and generally ‘having fun.’ Who were these pretenders? Why were these hypocrites allowed to continue coming to school? Well, despite these hypocrites, we remained at school, continued to work hard, graduated, and obtained good jobs with reasonable salaries. Likewise, despite the hypocrites, let us remain faithful to God and reap the reward of eternal life” (Quotes & Things, D. Collins).
Conclusion
1. The accusation that ALL Christians are hypocrites is a rash, thoughtless, insulting, and untrue statement. Where there are companies, organizations, clubs, churches, etc., you will find hypocrites. But whether a majority or minority, there will also be those who are sincere in what they are doing.
2. The hypocrisy of others is neither an excuse for your unfaithfulness or an excuse for trying to deter others from practicing Christianity. The real reason for your unfaithfulness or rejection of the gospel is WITHIN YOU.
3. Messages:
a. To the unfaithful and unbeliever:
" 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
“1The Lord calls out to you with open arms all the day long. 2Though His judgments terrify, He does not wish you harm. 3What does the Lord require? That you turn again and put away your deceit and live according to righteousness. 4For the Lord is full of mercy and compassion and He calls you before your life expires. 5Therefore, heed the word of the Lord and you will find mercy. 6For the Lord does not desire your destruction. For the Lord delights in showing mercy” (Psalm 5, Quotes & Things, D. Collins).
b. To the faithful:
" 23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." (Hebrews 10:23-27)
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