12 replies to this topic

[CHRISTOPHER310]

The subject of religious hypocrisy has come up in my life as many in my personal life ( outside my church family ) are non-believers. I often hear one of the reasons why people do not attend church or are believers is because they find so many hypocrites and religious hypocrisy they simply don’t want to be attached or involved with. I so understand what they are saying.

There is hypocrisy with in my faith, my church. I will not deny that. It’s true. However, there is several other aspects to this these people have failed to realized or are willing to recognize.

1st. - Every religion has some form of hypocrisy and hypocrites involved in it. If you look at different religions and churches and over the passage of history you will see this to be the case. It has always been there, even if it has been hidden right below the surface. Hypocrisy and hypocrites are not limited to one particular faith, church, or period of time.

2nd. - Hypocrisy and hypocrites are found everywhere in life regardless of the area, not just in religion. They are in government, work, home, family, friends, groups, in traffic on the road, in the food markets, and so on and on. They are there everywhere and always have been. You can not be free of them just because you avoid one group of people or one organization. That is simply not possible.

3rd. - Hypocrisy and hypocrites where not created by faith or church or any such thing. To this can be proven with in scripture itself. They where created upon the first sin committed. The first lie ever spoken gave birth to hypocrisy and hypocrites. And thus, all man is of sin and hypocrisy. It’s a human condition thing that is unavoidable and dates back from first sin of lying.

So, I say to these non-believers, if you choose not to believe or attend church, do not use hypocrisy or hypocrite as a justification for your choice. That justification is invalid. It only adds more to the hypocrisy you don’t want to be apart of. Speak the truth for what it is and do not try to lay responsibility for your chose upon the blame of church or religion.
 

[Kevin Blankenship]

Which is precisely what I have been doing, if the secrets of my wretched heart, and stiffneckedness were layed bare for the world to see. It so easy for me to say: I HATE alliterated sermons, so I refust to go to THAT church. Or I do NOT believe in Baptismal Regeneration, so I don't go to THAT church. and I oftentimes see the gift of unknown tongues shamelessly abused so I do not go to THAT church.....when. in reality, it is my own stiffnecked determionation to NOT attend to the commandments of Christ by fellwoshipping and loving my brothers (which is dificult to do when they are several miles away.  I WILL agree to this.  Even though I am egotistical, I will NOT be so egotistical to think that this thread was created just for ME......always ME ME ME!!!!!

  But, since you brought it up, I figured that I would capitalize on the opportunity to "confess your faults. one to another" since there is very little time given during regualr church services of ANY denomination (among those to whom I alluded) to where believers can share one with another the individual things which are causing them to repeatedly stumble. Perhaps the Pastor feels strongly enough about his sermon that he feels that all of these issues that each individual is battling with will be swept away on the high tide of his oratory.  That's not REAL LIFE.  This forum, although not a substitute for church, comes closer....in my opinion, in addressing our individual needs than sitting for one or two hours, participating in 30 minutes of singing (complete with clapping and praising the soloist who sings with a CD  (instead of real instruments) (a piano, and violin would suit me)........besides, it's the words to the song that intrigue me.......And then sit and listen to a sermon on Psalms 119 and how it is a Biblical precedent for alliteration. (hogwash).

     Christ church, as He intended it....in MY opinion......is comprised of individuals from ALL walks of life who, through faith and subsequent repentance,  have experienced  the second birth. No matter WHAT denomination. Yes, even Catholics.  Jesus knows who we are.....and where we are.  And yes, we SHOULD gather togther and fellowship and build one another up. But modern church.......the pastor is paid to.......and I really like this new phrase...."Bring us the Word". I have much more to say. But have to get momma to bed and then fold some clothes. And I detests laundry. But all in all......I appreciate your thread. Wish it were just that simple.   I STILL think that an old warehouse, or a barn, and God's Hand, and a few of us start to gather.  And pray and ask God for a pastor that will attend to the ones ALREADY in the flock.  Noty worry so much about filling pews. Oops......I kept on going. sorry. Great thread. Cleansing.

[CHRISTOPHER310]

Kevin,

 

 Forgive me, but I read your reply twice and find myself tottaly lost in understanding what you are sharing. Can you please simplify your responce for me? Thanks.

[ADVRider]

I think Christopher, Kevin is basically trying to confess that, he too, is guilty of hypocrisy. if I am not mistaken.

[Kevin Blankenship]

Kevin,

 

 Forgive me, but I read your reply twice and find myself tottaly lost in understanding what you are sharing. Can you please simplify your responce for me? Thanks.

Sure, Christopher. Forgive my wordiness. Perhaps the length of my reply was intimidating so perhaps it wasn't read.  I will drastically reduce the words: "I agree with many points of your post."    Better?

  And John Albert deciphered it with even better words. Thanks John. I was beginning to think that I had typed all of that out in an unknown tongue.  (said jokingly and without malice)

[ADVRider]

I think Christopher, Kevin is basically trying to confess that, he too, is guilty of hypocrisy. if I am not mistaken.

 

Kevin, I am not sure that is true. Oh for sure, none of us are perfect. But you are kind of hard on yourself sometimes. From what I can tell here on this forum, you are not pretentious and are one of the most open people here.

[Candice]

Christopher,

You are correct that hypocrisy exists in every realm - religious or otherwise.  However, I do believe it will impact our eternal life to some extent.

 

My son has a history teacher who is an elder in our church (just elected).  He is near to be terminated by the high school because he has been caught sleeping in class, not teaching, but talking about Duck Dynasty and politics for most of the class period and playing rock and roll. My son is sick of his laziness and he sits next to the speaker playing what my son describes as heavy metal.  I don't know why he plays it, but he does.  Then, we are in his Sunday school class and he is preaching righteousness, how evil music like "Hotel California" is evil and that we need to discipline those in the church who are messing up.

 

It is painful to sit there knowing this preaching to us and questioning us if we're really "faithful in our works" and at the same time to know the status of his life outside church walls.  But, then, I've done plenty to trash my witness in my past.  Most of this was around my family of origin many years ago.  Nevertheless, I repented. Still, my witness was tarnished and God was not glorified.    Yet...this teacher is greatly impacting many students, parents and the community at-large and....the church we attend.  Why?  Because there's no discernment in the church!!  They just "buddy up" and get the good ol' boys (the old boys aren't really old any more) in there to maintain the status quo.  but, in the end, I just carry on and allow the Lord to deal with him and the church leadership.

 

Reading 1 Corinthians these past few days and this was the same stuff happening in Paul's time of preaching.  The church was in the same sorry state.  Yet, there's admonishments in the Book of Revelation in the first chapters regarding the seven churches where overcomers of all the corruption in some of the churches, will receive rewards.  So, this is where the hypocrisy needs consideration.  That and our witness for Christ.  It is just another (unheeded by God) excuse for unbelievers.  But, as in stated in Romans 1, "...all are without excuse".

 

Candice

[Charles Miles]

Hi folks!  Been away for a bit but now have come home again.  I agree that hypocracy is a human trait that seeps into many, many areas of our lives, and our churches certainly are not immune.  Hypocracy is a sin, untruthfulness is a sin, pride is a sin, and we all know many other things that are wrong in the human life, BUT....believe it or not, there are actually people out there who are trying to do right, and with God`s help, they are getting it more "right" every day as they walk with the Lord. Nobody is going to get it right all the time, until Jesus returns and solves the problems confronting us.  As I see it, the difference between a hypocrit without Jesus and a hypocrit WITH Jesus is that those with Christ have a pass.  Not to say that they should ot continue to strive daily to stop all the hypocracy found in their lives, but as they continue to "run the race", doing their best, repenting and asking forgiveness,......God says..."and I will remember their sins no more"!!!  Hey, I`m not the best man in the world...but I do know him!  Matter of fact, he is a very close friend and we talk about things like this every day.  He knows who and what I am......there is no fooling him.  He is a wonderful, marvelous, man who is understanding of my problems and knows how I often struggle.  I would ask that all the hypocrits in the world out there....you know who you are...come with me to meet this great friend of mine.  He already loves all the hypocrits, just as he loves me, and I`m one also.  I try not to be but I slip and fall.  He is so, so gracious to stop and pick me up and speak encouragingly to me as he brushes me off.  "Let`s see if we can get it right next time Charlie".  What a friend, what a help, why did I take so long to ask him for help with all this? 

 

In Christ`s love,

 

Charlie

[Kevin Blankenship]

Missed you Charlie!!!!!! And missed your posts!!!! Somehow......they connect.  Let us know the next time you take a leave of absence. (just cuttin up with ya)

[Kenny]

Good post Christopher

 

Concerning hypocrisy I have what follows on file . . . 

 

Hypocritical Excuse

The man who says he is kept away from religion by hypocrites is not influenced by them anywhere else. Business is full of them, but if he sees a chance at making money he does not stop for that.

Society is crowded with them, and yet he never thinks of becoming a hermit.

Married life is full of them, but that does not make him remain a bachelor.

Hell is full of them, and yet he does not do a thing to keep himself from going there.

He wants to have you think that he is trying to avoid the society of hypocrites, and yet he takes not a single step toward heaven, the only place where no hypocrites can go!

Source: 2000+ Bible Illustrations From E-Sword.

[Ysa]

 I would ask that all the hypocrits in the world out there....you know who you are...come with me to meet this great friend of mine. 

 

That is the right attitude, right after the Father's heart, who sent his only Son to save and not to condemn. Invite them, just as I have been invited instead of writing them off as beyond help, because literally nothing is impossible for our God and he is mighty to save hypocrites and all, even me.

[Ginger]

 Hi Charlie!  Good to have you back sharing! ....  We are so blessed here to have some be an elder the biblical way....

[CHRISTOPHER310]

I hate to admit it, but when I posted this entry, I may have been too hurt, blind, and unwise. There is more to this issue that I am discoverying now than what I knew when I posted this. I wish I would of taken more time out to fully grasp this subject before posting it. I still think there is hupocrisy, but not to the aspects I shared in this post. A lot I didn't think of or consider first.