What Causes People to Label Christians as “Hypocrites?”
Author: DavidJones // Category: Ethics, The Church
We’ve heard it said: “The church is full of hypocrites!” That statement is made more often that anyone would like to admit. And sadly, it’s true to an extent. But what specific things cause people to label Christians as hypocrites?
This is something I’ve been thinking about. I’m not looking for answers like “Because Christians ARE hypocrites!” I’m looking for specific answers. What is it that the world sees Christians doing that causes them to label Christians as “hypocrites?”
Is it cussing? Drinking? Drug use? Road rage? Being a jerk. Living contrary to Jesus? Adultery? Pornography? Cheating on taxes? Cheating on a girlfriend or boyfriend? Dishonesty? Materialism? Lack of tithing? Going to clubs? Arrogance?
I really want some feedback on this. Feel free to post anonymously if you wish. I’m not concerned with who answers…just looking for some answers.
What causes people to label Christians as hypocrites?
Tags: Church, hypocrisy, Hypocrites
December 7th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I don’t think it falls solely on Christians messing up and sinning. I think it lies more on the Christian’s reaction to sin including their own.
We have done a good job of telling the world that “we’re special now” instead of telling them “we’ve found hope.” I don’t need a Savior because I have it all together, I need a Savior because I don’t. The only difference in my life is that I have found a reason to live and a hope beyond anything in this world, and that has transformed the way I live and think.
Let me just give you an example. My dad is not perfect, and I have seen my dad mess up. But I have also seen my dad own up to his mess ups. When talking about promiscuous daughters and teenage pregnancy my mom once made the statement, “You can say what you want about other people daughters,but it’s always different when it’s your own.” She was conveying to me that she would never judge somebody else’s parenting skills because she knew he daughter wasn’t above anything. People often look down on others that make mistakes, but will never truly understand the compassion until it’s their own. My parents without realizing it taught me – we are not perfect, and we shouldn’t act as though we are. The people I view as hypocrites are those that would tell their kids (or any other person) one thing and then live as though they are above their words. When we treat sin as though it is somebody else’s problem but not our own, then we are hypocrites. Sin is a disease – the whole of sin – not just certain sins. When we truly believe and act like we believe that, then maybe the world won’t view Christians as hypocrites. When we treat (and by treat, I mean the things we say to and about them) homosexuals as they are the scum of the earth, but then ignore the gossip and lies in our own lives – we are hypocrites. When we pretend we are immune to the filth we surround ourselves with and then look down on those who are a little more sinful – we are hypocrites. When we act like getting our burger right matters more than the person who gave us our burger – we are hypocrites. I think the world sees us as hypocrites, because we act just like they do and then judge the way they live. We have to be different. It is crucial that we are different. We need get rid of the mindset that we have to make the gospel relevant through movies and games and pop culture and realize that you can’t get any more relevant than the gospel. The world is sinful – we’re dying – we need a Savior.
I will wrap up by saying… we have to get dirty. The world sees our refusal to serve and or refusal to associate. We are no better than they are. We sin. We hurt. But we are forgiven.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Two things come to mind immediately:
1. High profile Christians who fail morally
&
2. Church goers with rotten attitudes
(part of the problem here is that so many people call themselves Christians or go to church without any commitment to Christ’s teachings… The term “Christian” has been hijacked.)
December 7th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Christ was transparent with those He ministered to, reaching out to those whom no one else wanted to mess with.
We are no different than the homosexual next door or the prostitute downtown, but the world sees us treat them like they are worthless.
People say that Christians are too judgmental, and I believe that, but I also believe that we should be outspoken in saying what is morally right and wrong. However, our motives should always be out of love. We as Christians should be intentional about letting our hope in Christ pour into the brokenhearted. This is what the world needs to see.
The logic in how we claim to be followers of Christ but yet we run from our messed up society not wanting to deal with it seems so screwed up to me. A good friend said that ministry should be a direct outflow of our relationship with God. If this is true, what is our lack in ministry to a broken society saying about who we are as Christians? We claim to be followers of Christ, we read the Bible, we pray, we go to church, we hang out with our church friends…where does the broken world fit into that?
I was downtown with some friends just hanging out with the homeless, and we were talking with a girl who said she was a Christian, but became a lesbian and is now far away from Christ. She told us that all of her Christian friends and family abandoned her. It broke my heart, and there was absolutely nothing I could say because it didn’t surprise me ONE bit. She was abandoned by the very people who should have reached out to her the most.
I think abandonment is one of the biggest problems we have as Christians. We abandon those who make wrong choices in life. We abandon those who have already been abandoned by society. We say we want them to be transformed by Christ and have a strong relationship with Him, but are we willing to do our part in being intentional in our relationships with them?
Are we as Christians really intentional in our relationships with the broken? Are we willing to take that role in being a friend with them? Discipling them? Counseling them? Loving them?
December 8th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
The only people I hear discussing hypocrisy in the church ARE Christians who are going to church.
In other words, we ARE identifying the issue and dealing with it. This is a GOOD thing. It IS the proper place to deal with it.
The more common issue I see outside the church is apathy.
People aren’t actively rejecting Christianity. They simply don’t care enough to bother considering it. (Or, to put it another way, “The Christianity that they’re rejecting sure isn’t what I thought Christianity is.”) And we don’t care enough to find a way to contradict that societal ethos.
So it’s hypocritical of us to think they should show up, I guess.
December 8th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
This is just a quote I heard from my pastor, Clarence Burton, when I was a child. “If you are letting a hypocrite stand between you and God, then he is closer to God than you.” Hmmmm.
December 8th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Hannah I agree with you. We do need to get dirty and get out there. Jesus said those that are well do not need a physician. We cannot reach the world inside the walls of our sanctuary only. If in fact that is all we do, maybe we truly are hypocrites.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
I’ve heard a lot of specifics regarding why Christians are hypocrites, but it all usually ties back to judgment and a lack of love. Any public stand against behaviors will usually bring a response along the lines of “Jesus says not to judge and you’re judging.” This is especially true when discussing homosexuality. Also, I’ve seen any behavior that’s not loving get deemed hypocritical. Take your pick on what’s not loving.
I disagree with Jeff that people aren’t actively rejecting Christianity. People are actively rejecting traditional Christianity (attending church, giving, etc.) in favor of a relationship with God where they worship in their own way in part so that there are no labels attached – including hypocrite. I think because of this there is more tolerance amongst non-Christians for behaviors that have traditionally been seen to be non-Christian like such as drinking and promiscuity depending on how in-your-face the specific Christian in question is.
Guys like Tim Tebow don’t have much wiggle room. One false move and they’ll quickly be branded hypocrites. The Colt McCoy’s of the world – much longer leash.
December 14th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I think it all boils down to something as simple as “practice what you preach.” We tell the world how they need to live, but often times we don’t follow that path ourselves. Another problem is our inability to openly admit our failures and to proclaim the redeeming power of the blood of Christ. We are all sinners, but true Christians have something the world needs…a savior. But more often than not we condemn people for what they do and how they are rather than meet them where they are as Christ did, and introduce them to the Gospel and Jesus in a way they’ve never experienced it. As long as we fail to reveal the power of God’s redemption and His forgiveness, the world will not understand and will always label us as hypocrites. At times they are absolutely correct in doing so, but we are as much to blame as anyone else. But it isn’t always the case, and it is our job to not only teach and preach the Gospel, but to live it. It’s true there are many people out there who falsely label themselves as Christians, and this hurts the name and anything associated with it, and is a big reason why Christians are labeled as hypocrites. The world unfortunately groups all “Christians” together, whether they are authentic believers and followers or not. Therefore, when one is seen as a hypocrite, all of them are. Again, this isn’t directly our fault, but we have all messed up, so we are still part of the problem. But just because the world’s views are based on falsely labeled Christians (don’t get me wrong here, I’m not saying that true Christians are not part of the problem and don’t screw up as well…) does not mean we can sit back and claim it’s not our place or responsibility. We need to seek out those who have been hurt and angered by “Christianity” in some form or fashion, whether it was authentic Christianity or not. We need to meet these people where they are, love on them, show them the real face of Christianity, the face of Jesus. We are but God’s instruments, and we should be performing in the way we were intended to. The problem is, some people are out there working with broken pieces, wrong parts, missing pieces…while some simply are to afraid or are unwilling to get out of their cases…the world is only hearing parts of the song, and only with God conducting, can we perform the beautiful music that can capture souls.
March 19th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
its not that cristians are hypocrites.. “this church” does not mean only christians, but the hole of the fundamentalism and politics aplied with religious grounds.. all of churches, institutions of all sorts are nothig but methods of control of the masses, and not of freedom of the masses.. and still to today, i dont understand how so called “religious” people like to judge and think they are righteous and do the most stupidest things in the name of God.. God has nothing to do with what humans do and decide, and people use Thy and all sorts of excuses, blaming others instead of taking responsability for their own actions and thoughts.. So claiming to do something holly, when that same thing is not holly… since when does God wantsblood in thy name?? or money?? or anything but our love. . Love is true religion (not institutional), to love nd be loved is the fabric of Life and the source of abundance and happiness and people keep spreading messages of hate for whatever reason its convenient.. if God is everywhere, why talk through a priest?? Thy temple, is our body, WE are the living temple.. not some buildins that people fell obliged to go, either for cultural/religious reasons..Love cannot embodie or manifest through a rock, though it can be there..people have to awake to mental control, start questioning, cause the Truth, is always present, but one has to open the heart sometimes.. An empty bowl, to receive fresh water..