You might be a hypocrite if:

• you expect God to forgive you but can’t forgive others.
• you point out the sins of others while ignoring your own sins.
• you hate anyone.
• you don’t think you’re as bad as ______________.
• If the log in your eye never keeps you from seeing the speck in someone else’s eye.

Or if you’re human!

Because in all honesty, there’s a bit of hypocrite in each of us.

How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Luke 6:42

It’s easy to think we’re the ones with the tiny specks while everyone else is walking around with timber impaired vision.

I don’t know if it’s gotten worse or if social media has simply made it more visible but fault-finding and finger-pointing have become national pastimes.

Hypocritical rants ruin our witness because although we may sin differently, we all sin!

Seriously, why would anyone want to know Jesus personally if the people who do are always prickly and irritable?

The truth is . . . no one lives their message perfectly. Christians and non-Christians alike, we all fall short of perfect living. So, I’m not finger-pointing. I’m writing this for me . . . because although everyone struggles with hypocrisy with  God’s help, it’s possible Jesus’ followers to do better.

“It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge and my job to love.” ~ Billy Graham

How?

1. Admit you’re a hypocrite and ask God for help. 

It’s a problem. It’s easy to see what other people are doing wrong . . . harder to admit personal faults. That just might be the best place to start if you and I really want to change.

But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

“Few things accelerate the peace process as much as humbly admitting our own wrongdoing and asking forgiveness.” ~Lee Strobel

 2. Let God change you through His love.

I want to completely focus my heart and mind on God’s love and blessings. To live with faith-filled gratitude. God pours His love into our lives and makes it possible for us to pour love others.

Do not be shaped by this world; instead, be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. Romans 12:2

“If you know that God loves you, you should never question a directive from Him. It will always be right and best. When He gives you a directive, you are not just to observe it, discuss it, or debate it. You are to obey it.” ~Henry Blackaby

3. Be loving (kind, caring, and compassionate) to everyone. Yes, I said everyone!

I can’t love everyone perfectly! I’m a hypocrite. But with the Holy Spirit’s help, I can do better. You and I don’t have to do it alone!

Make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 2 Peter 1:5–7

“To love a man enough to help him, you have to forfeit the warm, self-righteous glow that comes from judging.” ~ Ron Hall

4. Be an example. Show God’s love more than you talk about His commands.

Of course, I’m going to keep talking about Him. It’s what I do. But I’m aware my actions speak louder than my words; so, I want to show His love not just talk about His rules.

And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. John 13:14

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” ~Author Unknown

Righteousness and Kindness are God’s good way.

Scripture tells us God is good because:

1. He is perfect and righteous – it is who He is.
2. He is kind – it is what He does.

He perfectly balances what is right with what is kind. He sees hearts. He knows motives. He understands the beginning and the end. He knows what’s best!

You don’t. I don’t. It’s that simple.

Which is why it’s our job to point people to Jesus and entrust them to His Spirit.

“Who decides what is right and wrong in the world? Who has the authority to define morality for all of creation? It is not the courts, congress, the media, public opinion, the “politically correct” police, the “tolerance” brigade or even the church. The only answer has been, is and always will be Jesus Christ. You can find His opinion on a great variety of subjects in His best seller… The Bible.” ~Jeffrey E. Ramey

We don’t need to shout the loudest or type in all CAPS to point to God’s truth. We just need to love God with all we’ve got and love others as He leads us.

Jesus said, “Don’t think that I have come to destroy the law or the teaching of the prophets, but to bring about what they said. I tell you the truth, nothing will disappear from the law until heaven and earth are gone. Not even the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will be lost until everything has happened.” Matthew 5:17-18

One more thing…

This is not an attempt to call what God calls sin . . . okay. If God calls something a sin we need to trust Him. But we must stop ranking sins. Too often, Christians will go on and on about abortion and homosexuality while remaining silent on things like gossip, envy, and selfishness.

Yup, we’re hypocrites.

But my hypocritical life is covered by God’s grace and mercy. So is yours.

We need to do better for the countless souls around the world who need to see and know the message of God’s love and I believe with the help of the Holy Spirit we can . . . we will.

So, join me and reject your inner hypocrite. Kick self-righteousness to the curb and grab hold of God’s goodness (His righteousness and His kindness) with both hands.

And love.

Because at the end of the day, the only thing that can end hypocrisy is love. God’s love.

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