D
Dave Slayer
Guest
Are all Christian's hypocrites? I have heard Christians say that every Christian is a hypocrite. Is that true? Is it Biblical?
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Guest, Join Papa Zoom today for some uplifting biblical encouragement! --> Daily Verses
Not all of us--just most of us. How many of us can honestly say as Paul did, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live. Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God."
How many of us can honestly say that when others look at us they see Christ? Unfortunately, I cannot say that truthfully. I won't pretend to be what I'm not. I am born again, but living by faith is not easy for me. Trusting is not easy for me. How many can honestly say they are Spirit-filled and Spirit-controlled in ALL they do? I wish I could say that.
How many of us can honestly say that when others look at us they see Christ? Unfortunately, I cannot say that truthfully. I won't pretend to be what I'm not. I am born again, but living by faith is not easy for me. Trusting is not easy for me. How many can honestly say they are Spirit-filled and Spirit-controlled in ALL they do? I wish I could say that.
I
Innkeeper-Ministry
Guest
You can not be a Christian and a Hypocrite at same time. It would be like saying water and oil are the same. A TRUE Christian is not a Hypocrite so to ask if all Christians are Hypocrites should be changed to "Are all Religious People Hypocrites?" and that answer is YES they are.
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Why do you think Jesus said to forgive seventy times seven?
It's because we all make mistakes and are to forgive others as we too would want to be forgiven when we make mistakes.
That doesn't mean that we are to not learn any lesson from the mistakes we make. It means that we are to make correction to go and sin the sin no more, even though we might flub up some time again, we do our best to make correction.
Ya know learning to play an instrument is not always so easy all the time. Some of the lessons take practice over and over again until it is perfected. And so it goes with the example of purging the dross from the gold in a hot fire to bring the pure gold to the surface. If I'm not mistaken gold needs to be processed more than once to make it completly without impurities. Likewise, the purging of sin is not a comfortable thing and feels many times trying and like going through the fire as gold must to become pure. And as with practice, repeated effort, toward the playing of any intrument, or with many other processes, it doesn't always come immediately.
The bible is full of examples of "processes" in order to bring about the desired result. Pruning the grape plant, we must prune the unproductive brances (sucker branches) so the fruit will be abundant. Even the farmer knows that one must pull weeds from the ground in order to not choke out the plant that is wanted to survive and come to fruition.
We are all a work in progress. Even hypocrites need to learn from their hypocritic act(s) and be given knowledge for deliverance from the injustice toward the just act. the unrighteous can be made righteous through correction.
Everyone is happy when we each see improvement in ourselves and in others we care about.
When wickedness of any particular type of sin is no longer residing in the other person we are upset with, or in ourselves, then there is cause for celebration. We shout for joy when we see brother's and sister's in Christ overcome. Pray for each other and hope for the best to come, keep the faith in them and never lose sight or hold of it. Some prayers take years to be fulfilled, some only a few days, and others instantly. It' is all done in God's due time, not ours. We must keep our patience renewed daily as well as our hope, faith, and love for each other. It is our daily bread.... our nurishment that keeps us going along our journey. We are all pilgrims in progress... A work in progess.
And no matter how many times it takes to get there, we are to forgive those who are willing to turn toward repentance and work on improvement.
It is the ones who refuse to repent.... that is when we need to wipe the dust off of our feet and just carry onward without them, until they, like the prodigal son, are willing to return to live in-line with the Father.
We must forgive the hypocrite in everyone, even when we find ourselves to have done a hypocritical act. We must ask for forgiveness, accept the forgiveness for ourselves and for those others alike. Sevety times seven.
Hope this helps.
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Why do you think Jesus said to forgive seventy times seven?
Matthew 18:21
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
It's because we all make mistakes and are to forgive others as we too would want to be forgiven when we make mistakes.
That doesn't mean that we are to not learn any lesson from the mistakes we make. It means that we are to make correction to go and sin the sin no more, even though we might flub up some time again, we do our best to make correction.
Ya know learning to play an instrument is not always so easy all the time. Some of the lessons take practice over and over again until it is perfected. And so it goes with the example of purging the dross from the gold in a hot fire to bring the pure gold to the surface. If I'm not mistaken gold needs to be processed more than once to make it completly without impurities. Likewise, the purging of sin is not a comfortable thing and feels many times trying and like going through the fire as gold must to become pure. And as with practice, repeated effort, toward the playing of any intrument, or with many other processes, it doesn't always come immediately.
The bible is full of examples of "processes" in order to bring about the desired result. Pruning the grape plant, we must prune the unproductive brances (sucker branches) so the fruit will be abundant. Even the farmer knows that one must pull weeds from the ground in order to not choke out the plant that is wanted to survive and come to fruition.
We are all a work in progress. Even hypocrites need to learn from their hypocritic act(s) and be given knowledge for deliverance from the injustice toward the just act. the unrighteous can be made righteous through correction.
Proverb 11:9
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Everyone is happy when we each see improvement in ourselves and in others we care about.
When wickedness of any particular type of sin is no longer residing in the other person we are upset with, or in ourselves, then there is cause for celebration. We shout for joy when we see brother's and sister's in Christ overcome. Pray for each other and hope for the best to come, keep the faith in them and never lose sight or hold of it. Some prayers take years to be fulfilled, some only a few days, and others instantly. It' is all done in God's due time, not ours. We must keep our patience renewed daily as well as our hope, faith, and love for each other. It is our daily bread.... our nurishment that keeps us going along our journey. We are all pilgrims in progress... A work in progess.
And no matter how many times it takes to get there, we are to forgive those who are willing to turn toward repentance and work on improvement.
It is the ones who refuse to repent.... that is when we need to wipe the dust off of our feet and just carry onward without them, until they, like the prodigal son, are willing to return to live in-line with the Father.
We must forgive the hypocrite in everyone, even when we find ourselves to have done a hypocritical act. We must ask for forgiveness, accept the forgiveness for ourselves and for those others alike. Sevety times seven.
Hope this helps.
.
lovely
Member
I thought that hypocrites were tares, and not believers at all, but just trying to look like they are believers. Believers will make mistakes, and we are all always needing to learn more, and grow, but I don't see how this is hypocritical. It seems like when the publican prayed, he beat his chest and cried for mercy as a sinner, but I don't think he was hypocritical. Am I off? I'm going to have to study what the word means I think.
G
Gabe
Guest
hypocrite
Main Entry:
hyp·o·crite
Pronunciation:
\ˈhi-pə-ˌkrit\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English ypocrite, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrita, from Greek hypokritēs actor, hypocrite, from hypokrinesthai
Date:
13th century
1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings
 hypocrite adjective
Christians preach against sin, but sin themselves. So we're all hypocrites.
Main Entry:
hyp·o·crite
Pronunciation:
\ˈhi-pə-ˌkrit\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English ypocrite, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrita, from Greek hypokritēs actor, hypocrite, from hypokrinesthai
Date:
13th century
1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings
 hypocrite adjective
Christians preach against sin, but sin themselves. So we're all hypocrites.
The ones that Jesus called hypocrites were the Pharisees, the religious leaders of that time. They believed in God, but their religion was for their own edification and to receive the praise of men. Unfortunately, many of the people who call themselves "Christians" do NOT know the Saviour, the Lamb of God. They are the ones who bring a reproach upon God's name as they say "I am a Christian" and then live like the devil. Anyone who can live consistently in sin and see nothing wrong with it NEVER knew the Lord, and He never knew them.
He will say to many one day as they stand before Him for judgment, "Not everyone that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in they name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Note that it says, "I NEVER knew you." Not "You were once mine but lost your salvation." Many will seem to be wonderful Christians, but they are only playing Christian for their own glorification and not for the glory of God..
On the other hand, not one of us is perfect--yet. We still have our sin nature and sometimes give in to it--some more than others. Some who have been saved haven't been discipled and taught how God expects us to live. Someone came to their home and led them to Christ, and then said "You need to find yourself a good church somewhere. Have a good day." If that person goes anywhere, it's too often to a "church" that teaches heresies.
He will say to many one day as they stand before Him for judgment, "Not everyone that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in they name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Note that it says, "I NEVER knew you." Not "You were once mine but lost your salvation." Many will seem to be wonderful Christians, but they are only playing Christian for their own glorification and not for the glory of God..
On the other hand, not one of us is perfect--yet. We still have our sin nature and sometimes give in to it--some more than others. Some who have been saved haven't been discipled and taught how God expects us to live. Someone came to their home and led them to Christ, and then said "You need to find yourself a good church somewhere. Have a good day." If that person goes anywhere, it's too often to a "church" that teaches heresies.
.
Those that are His, growing, maturing, a work in progress, pilgrims in progress, are not immune to occasions of hypocrisy. since when are we immune to any propensity toward any of sin? We are all sinners when we tripped up or have backslidden. We are all prodigal sons. We are all on occasion, no much different than the Seduces or Pharisees, or any others who have transgressed against and have grieved Holy Spirit. The example is not only a matter of those who are un-repentant, it is also a matter of sin/transgression of this type. No, none of us are immune. this is why we are considered “children†of God, growing toward maturity. We are re-newed daily, OUR DAILY BREAD. Without our clinging to Holy Spirit, accepting Christ Jesus Holy Spirit to feed us daily, to NOT IGNORE, or GRIEVE HOLY SPIRIT, we are like the child who ignores their own parents and is mischieveous and eats junk food rather than a wholesome healthy meal, we are malnourished, vulnerable to being without wearing the Armor of God. Naked, not even a fig leaf to cover the embarassement of sins.
This example about the seventy times seven forgiveness; It is relevant for many types of situations, not just the example Jesus used for the forgiveness of monetary debt. If that were the case, then that would make the forgiveness of God selective in cases where forgiveness of the sins/transgression of others against us, and of our own sins/transgressions against others were concerned.
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Those that are His, growing, maturing, a work in progress, pilgrims in progress, are not immune to occasions of hypocrisy. since when are we immune to any propensity toward any of sin? We are all sinners when we tripped up or have backslidden. We are all prodigal sons. We are all on occasion, no much different than the Seduces or Pharisees, or any others who have transgressed against and have grieved Holy Spirit. The example is not only a matter of those who are un-repentant, it is also a matter of sin/transgression of this type. No, none of us are immune. this is why we are considered “children†of God, growing toward maturity. We are re-newed daily, OUR DAILY BREAD. Without our clinging to Holy Spirit, accepting Christ Jesus Holy Spirit to feed us daily, to NOT IGNORE, or GRIEVE HOLY SPIRIT, we are like the child who ignores their own parents and is mischieveous and eats junk food rather than a wholesome healthy meal, we are malnourished, vulnerable to being without wearing the Armor of God. Naked, not even a fig leaf to cover the embarassement of sins.
This example about the seventy times seven forgiveness; It is relevant for many types of situations, not just the example Jesus used for the forgiveness of monetary debt. If that were the case, then that would make the forgiveness of God selective in cases where forgiveness of the sins/transgression of others against us, and of our own sins/transgressions against others were concerned.
.
W
Works4Him
Guest
To answer the question, you have to know what a hypocrite is. As was defined above, this is basically someone who either puts on a false facade of religiousness, or someone who doesn't practice what they preach.
Let's assume for a moment that most Christians aren't simply pretending to have religious values. This leaves the second qualifier, not practicing what we preach. Then the question becomes "what is it that we preach?"
When I look at Biblically grounded Jesus followers, I don't see any of them saying that we are to be perfect or free from all sin here on earth. On the contrary, pretty much every bible-based believer I know agrees that while we're here on earth, we're prone to a sinful flesh, and it's a battle we face daily. Paul himself talks about that very problem.
So are we hypocrites? I don't think so. Well, not all of us. People who pretend to be righteous and sinless are definitely hypocrites. People who pretend to lead these perfect little lives, and on the inside are full of spite, envy, and all manners of sins, those folks are hypocrites. They're the "whitewashed tombs" Christ spoke about. But for the vast majority of Christians, the ones who don't pretend to be something they're not, who admit they still sin and struggle, and who don't expect others to become perfect prior to meeting Christ face-to-face, I say calling those folks hypocrites is a shame and wrong.
Bottom line: You're not a hypocrite just because you sin. You're only a hypocrite if you pretend not to sin, and if you expect that others lead perfectly sin-free lives as well.
Let's assume for a moment that most Christians aren't simply pretending to have religious values. This leaves the second qualifier, not practicing what we preach. Then the question becomes "what is it that we preach?"
When I look at Biblically grounded Jesus followers, I don't see any of them saying that we are to be perfect or free from all sin here on earth. On the contrary, pretty much every bible-based believer I know agrees that while we're here on earth, we're prone to a sinful flesh, and it's a battle we face daily. Paul himself talks about that very problem.
So are we hypocrites? I don't think so. Well, not all of us. People who pretend to be righteous and sinless are definitely hypocrites. People who pretend to lead these perfect little lives, and on the inside are full of spite, envy, and all manners of sins, those folks are hypocrites. They're the "whitewashed tombs" Christ spoke about. But for the vast majority of Christians, the ones who don't pretend to be something they're not, who admit they still sin and struggle, and who don't expect others to become perfect prior to meeting Christ face-to-face, I say calling those folks hypocrites is a shame and wrong.
Bottom line: You're not a hypocrite just because you sin. You're only a hypocrite if you pretend not to sin, and if you expect that others lead perfectly sin-free lives as well.
W
Works4Him
Guest
Put another way: If we preached that we are to lead lives free of sin at all times, yes, we are hypocrites. If we preach that we struggle against the flesh, and we try to lead sin-free lives even if we fall from time to time, that's not hypocrisy (as long as that's how we're living).
Works4Him said:
Works4Him,
Hypocricy is not so narrowly defined in terms of ones "religious" practices or beliefs. Nor is it not a sin. To betray one self or another is a disloyalty toward original intent. Hypocratic oathes are made by doctors and laywers all the time. They are not immune to the act of hypocricy either. Even those who profess to being Christian as head of the way in which they practice. I've seen Christians, not excluding myself caught in the act of hypocricy more often than I would care to have seen. Sin is sin, and the sin of hypocricy is not excluded. Adultery is another sin many are sadly caught in but that doesn't mean they are not Christians free of the title of that sin. Hypocricy is not different. I know "hypocricy" is not labeled as sin as is the sin of adultery, but non the less, it is still a sin in itself because it is a form of betrayal to self and/or others.
I've , regrettably, been in situations in which I said one thing and did another with my very own children when they were younger. Have you not done so yourself, iether with yourown self in saying you would do one thing and then turn around and not stick to your intent? That too is hypocricy. We as Christians are forgiven of these sins IF we seek to repent and accept the Lord's forgiveness from them. But just because we are Christians, does not in any way deminish or make us totally without the propensity toward that particular sin. No sin is excluded from our natural inclinations. For that reason we are nothing without the manifestation of the Salvation offereing of Our Lord to us.
.
Nick
Member
Obviously, even as Christians we still sin. So are we hypocrites? Not necessarily. I think if we are trying not to sin, then I wouldn't call that hypocracy.
Example 1: Person 1 has a problem with lies, but he doesn't bother to try and not lie. Person 2 is told off by Person 1 for lying.
In this situation, then yes, I think Person 1 would be a hypocrite.
Example 2
erson 1 has a problem with lies, but he tries not to lie. Person 2 is told off by person 1 for lying.
In this situation, I wouldn't call Person 1 a hypocrite, as he is trying not to lie.
my
Example 1: Person 1 has a problem with lies, but he doesn't bother to try and not lie. Person 2 is told off by Person 1 for lying.
In this situation, then yes, I think Person 1 would be a hypocrite.
Example 2
erson 1 has a problem with lies, but he tries not to lie. Person 2 is told off by person 1 for lying.In this situation, I wouldn't call Person 1 a hypocrite, as he is trying not to lie.
my
The first thing nonbelievers resort to is calling all Christians hypocrites.
They use this as an excuse to not go to Church. The simple facts are, is that all of us Christians and
non-Christians alike state a hypocritical statement along the time line of their lives, it is just part of being human, no one is perfect except our Lord Jesus. As long as you repent of your sins, you will be forgiven by Jesus Christ our Lord, hypocritical Christians and also any other Christian who repent of their sins.
They use this as an excuse to not go to Church. The simple facts are, is that all of us Christians and
non-Christians alike state a hypocritical statement along the time line of their lives, it is just part of being human, no one is perfect except our Lord Jesus. As long as you repent of your sins, you will be forgiven by Jesus Christ our Lord, hypocritical Christians and also any other Christian who repent of their sins.
W
Works4Him
Guest
Relic,
Forgive me if my point wasn't clear. I know that hypocrisy can go well beyond the scope of religion. I was simply trying to keep it narrowed down to the current scope of discussion, which while it wasn't specifically stated that this is in the sense of religious hypocrisy, it was sort of insinuated.
The problem I have with the OP statement is that it seems to use "hypocrite" as a perpetual label, a scarlet letter if you will. Saying "All Christians are hypocrites" is patently false at the bottom line. Right now, as I sit here, I'm not committing any act of hypocrisy that I'm remotely aware of. My wife, sleeping in the next room, is definitely not committing any act of hypocrisy. I'd even wager that you're probably not committing any act of hypocrisy.
Now, if the opening post had asked "Have all Christians at some point been a hypocrite?" I'd have answered absolutely, because everyone everywhere has probably committed at least one act of hypocrisy in their life. From the mom who tells their kid not to eat cookies because they're bad for you (after she's eaten a few herself), to the business executive that fired someone for a mistake they themselves made in the past. If you want to use the broad brush of labeling people hypocrites that's being used in the OP, then we have to label EVERYONE a hypocrite, Christian or not. And if everyone's a hypocrite, then what's the big deal?
Sure, we've probably all done something at some point that was hypocritical. But just because you did that one stupid thing way back when doesn't mean you have to go your whole life carrying the title. My God is big, big enough that I can trust him to forgive me of my sins and wash me clean as snow. Even if I was a hypocrite at some point, God has forgiven me. All the titles I could have had in the past, including the title of hypocrite, have been replaced by the title "Child of the Lord Most High". So I try not to get too caught up in labels. ;)
Forgive me if my point wasn't clear. I know that hypocrisy can go well beyond the scope of religion. I was simply trying to keep it narrowed down to the current scope of discussion, which while it wasn't specifically stated that this is in the sense of religious hypocrisy, it was sort of insinuated.
The problem I have with the OP statement is that it seems to use "hypocrite" as a perpetual label, a scarlet letter if you will. Saying "All Christians are hypocrites" is patently false at the bottom line. Right now, as I sit here, I'm not committing any act of hypocrisy that I'm remotely aware of. My wife, sleeping in the next room, is definitely not committing any act of hypocrisy. I'd even wager that you're probably not committing any act of hypocrisy.
Now, if the opening post had asked "Have all Christians at some point been a hypocrite?" I'd have answered absolutely, because everyone everywhere has probably committed at least one act of hypocrisy in their life. From the mom who tells their kid not to eat cookies because they're bad for you (after she's eaten a few herself), to the business executive that fired someone for a mistake they themselves made in the past. If you want to use the broad brush of labeling people hypocrites that's being used in the OP, then we have to label EVERYONE a hypocrite, Christian or not. And if everyone's a hypocrite, then what's the big deal?
Sure, we've probably all done something at some point that was hypocritical. But just because you did that one stupid thing way back when doesn't mean you have to go your whole life carrying the title. My God is big, big enough that I can trust him to forgive me of my sins and wash me clean as snow. Even if I was a hypocrite at some point, God has forgiven me. All the titles I could have had in the past, including the title of hypocrite, have been replaced by the title "Child of the Lord Most High". So I try not to get too caught up in labels. ;)
Works4Him said:
Precisely, and you have touched very much on what I have been trying to relay. I appreciate how eloquently you have stated case in point. Thank you.
We've all been a hypocrite at some point in our lives, there is no denying that. And not to say that we might not in some instance do so again, perchance that happens, we are forgiven again if we seek to repent and accept His forgiveness. That is only part of the sin the nature we are all washed clean of and are learning to overcome any further temptations to repeat the incidence. With the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ Holy Spirit as our guided, our redeemer, our Savior. There are many things that we have already overcome, each person at their own rate and level. It is the child growing up to maturity in Holy spirit. And yes, God has forgiven all of us for our past and our future sins. I do not disagree. We each stated pretty much the same thing only in a bit different use of words.
God Bless.
Ed the Ned
Member
I feel a hypocrite is someone who says one thing and purposefully does another, or expects others to do one thing and they themselves do completely the opposite. As Christians we say we are sinners it is part of our creed, yet we have salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. We try to live a sinless life but it is not possible. We are not hypocrites if we admit we are sinners but try to live a holy life. 
W
WiLdAtHeArT
Guest
I think this is the main idea of being hypocritical. Best example is a pastor who cheats on his wife, gets divorced and re-marries. Happened in a church I went to in college. He was convinced that this new chick was the one God really wanted him to be married to. Nevermind that he had been married for 18 years and had 5 kids. First image that comes to mind when I hear the word hypocrite is his face.
In my opinion, many Christians are hypocrites, but not all. There are many times when I have been hypocritical, but the more I get Jesus into my life and the more I daily include Him in my life, the less likely I am to do something that differes from what I believe and expect of others.
Tina
Member
^
1) A pastor has a big argument with his wife before Sunday morning church service. He then goes on to preach a sermon on forgiveness, loving your spouse and humility. Is he a hypocrite ?
2) A Christian man keeps preaching all about God and the Bible, but condemns me for wearing bikini, calling me a filthy, demon-possessed stripper. Is he a hypocrite ? Am I the hypocrite ? Or are we both hypocrites ?
3) I complain about a friend who’s always complaining, and harbour anger against my ex-fiance who cheated on me, but then go about witnessing and reaching out to other people about the God of Love and Forgiveness of Sins. Am I a hypocrite ?
4) I don’t feel like going to church this Sunday. I’m too tired and badly want to skip church and stay home and sleep, but eventually force myself to go. I’m half-hearted about worshipping God, or don’t feel like singing but force myself. Am I a hypocrite ? Will God accept my worship that way ?
....... 
1) A pastor has a big argument with his wife before Sunday morning church service. He then goes on to preach a sermon on forgiveness, loving your spouse and humility. Is he a hypocrite ?
2) A Christian man keeps preaching all about God and the Bible, but condemns me for wearing bikini, calling me a filthy, demon-possessed stripper. Is he a hypocrite ? Am I the hypocrite ? Or are we both hypocrites ?
3) I complain about a friend who’s always complaining, and harbour anger against my ex-fiance who cheated on me, but then go about witnessing and reaching out to other people about the God of Love and Forgiveness of Sins. Am I a hypocrite ?
4) I don’t feel like going to church this Sunday. I’m too tired and badly want to skip church and stay home and sleep, but eventually force myself to go. I’m half-hearted about worshipping God, or don’t feel like singing but force myself. Am I a hypocrite ? Will God accept my worship that way ?
.......