How Do You Deal With a Hypocrite?

Do you have a friend or relative who is disgusted with the church "because it is full of hypocrites"? What do you say? What can you say? They ARE right, even though they are probably exaggerating to some extent. 

And yet, sometimes those who accuse are guilty of the same hypocrisy! That makes it a rather difficult and delicate matter. 

We should observe that Jesus is still Lord; still head of His church. He hasn’t quit because some so-called Christians were/are unfaithful or because some were/are playing church. 

Hypocrisy makes me sad for two reasons: 

First, in ideal circumstances there should be no hypocrites. 

Second, Christians should not stand in judgment of one another. 

I have misjudged plenty of people over the years only to realize that I knew very little about them. My perception was limited. I later discovered that they were not playing church, but were spiritually weak and doing their best. Some were young in the faith and immature. (For how long have you been perfect???) When I thought others should be more active, I discovered that they were. (Their good deeds were not done in front of me!) Still others were taking action on bended knee, behind closed doors, active in prayer. Leaders made decisions and I did not agree. Yet I later realized that I did not know all the facts that they knew.

All of that to say, I was terribly judgmental. So, I quit. 

No, I did not quit the church; I quit being judgmental. What made me quit? 

First, it was an exhausting task that left me disappointed and angry, and that was not good. 

Second, I applied the words of the Apostle Paul to myself: 

Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 

—Romans 14:4 (NASB95) 

I also remembered that Paul quoted God: 

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” 

—Romans 12:19 

Neither you nor I have been tasked with ensuring justice and equity and fairness while on this earth. That's God's job. I also remembered: 

The Lord…is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 

—2 Peter 3:9 (NASB95) 

And I remembered that God is not new to hypocrisy. He even recognized that...

"they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants…." 

—Romans 9:5 (NASB95) 

So, if you run into anyone who complains about hypocrites in the church, agree with them. Then ask if they have taken the time to approach their hypocritical brother or sister about their sin. Jesus was more interested in winning back a brother than pointing out fault: 

If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.

—Matthew 18:15 (NASB95)

The New Testament letters were written because the church is imperfect. We are naïve to think that God is not aware of hypocrisy in His church. Yet, He has instructed us how to deal with sin in His church. And while His instruction is strong, its application demands patience and gentleness. After all, the Great Shepherd does not want to lose any sheep, not even one.

Mark Stinnett

January 3, 2021