What Should We Do With All The Hypocrites In The Church?

What Should We Do With All The Hypocrites In The Church?
You Asked For It [Part 5 of 5]

Hypocrite: When our declared values are better than our actual values.

Root Cause: We focus on looking good without real life-change.

WE BECOME A HYPOCRITE WHEN WE MAKE IT

1. All about formulas. 

“Jesus responded, ‘You are also hypocrites, you experts of the law! You crush people beneath the burden of obeying impossible religious regulations, yet you would never even think of doing them yourselves.’” Luke 11:46 TPT

“They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people.”  2 Timothy 3:5 GW

TRUTH: It’s all about friendship with Christ!

2. All about performance. 

“When you give a gift to a beggar, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do or call attention to their acts of charity!… And when you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who pretend piety by praying publicly on street corners where everyone can see them…  And when you fast, declining your food for a spiritual purpose, don’t do it publicly, as the hypocrites do, who try to look wan and disheveled so people will feel sorry for them.” Matthew 6:2,5,16 LB

TRUTH: It’s all about life change. 

3. All about tradition. 

“Frauds and hypocrites! They pretend to worship me, but their worship is nothing more than the empty traditions of men.” Matthew 15:7,9 TPT

“Love the Lord with all your heart…”  Matthew 22:37 NIV

TRUTH: It’s all about your heart. 

4. All about judging others. 

“Why would you focus on the flaw in someone else’s life and fail to notice the glaring flaws of your own? How could you say to your friend, ‘Let me show you where you’re wrong,’ when you’re guilty of even more? You’re being hypercritical and a hypocrite! First acknowledge and deal with your own ‘blind spots,’ and then you’ll be capable of dealing with the ‘blind spot’ of your friend.” Matthew 7:3-5 TPT

“You Pharisees are hypocrites! You aspire to seem more important than others.” Luke 11:43 TPT

ANSWER: Drop your rock! (John 8:7-11)

HOW TO RECEIVE HEALING FROM HYPOCRISY:

1. Repentance. 

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” Matthew 23:25 NIV

2. Integrity. 

“Then all the other Jewish Christians and even Barnabas became hypocrites too, following Peter’s example, though they certainly knew better.” Galatians 2:13 LB

3. Honesty.

Paul: “I can testify that the Word is true and deserves to be received by all, for Jesus Christ came into the world to bring sinners back to life—even me, the worst sinner of all!” 1 Timothy 1:15 TPT

4. Progress. 

“For the lovers of God may suffer adversity and stumble seven times, but they will continue to rise over and over again.” Proverbs 24:16 TPT

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