Question about hypocrites?

Question

I keep noticing questions about this today, so I wanted to just see what everyone thinks.

The definition of a hypocrite is:
a person whose actions belie stated beliefs

Here's my question: Doesn't this apply to everyone? I mean wouldn't almost everyone here say that it's important to treat others as you'd like to be treated --- but no one lives up to that 100% of the time (or if you do, maybe you're not married ;) ).

I'm sure there are lots of universal (or nearly) examples --- for example, again, I think most of us would say that being kind to others is a goal for which we should all strive, but very few if any of us are able to practice kindness perfectly all the time.

Am I missing something? Doesn't that put us *all* in the hypocrite boat? I'm not trying to justify "Christians behaving badly";There's no excuse for our behavior, and I include myself in that. But saying you don't want to hang with hypocrites -- doesn't that mean you have to quit hanging out with yourself?

Answer 1

You're right, we are all hypocrites...which is why I think Christ separated the speaking of God's word from those who speak it when He said, "2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. " (Matt 23:2)

Plus, those who are truly wise, seek wisdom from all places - even from hypocrites (like me)!

Answer 2

You have raised a lot of excellent points NONE of us are perfect and ALL of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

People are human even Christians and we all have heart issues we struggle with.

I have been hypocritical where I professed one thing and done quite another but I have learned from my mistakes.

We as Christians should strive to be like Christ. And when we do feel there is forgiveness and repentance for those who are truly sorry 1 John 1:9

Peace be with you e4g

Answer 3

Only Allah (swt) knows who's a hypocrite and who is not. He knows what is in our hearts. Also, its not our job to judge each other on that, only advise. How can someone who calls others hypocrites be so sure that he is free from hypocrisy himself? Salaams

Answer 4

Agree with you 110%, and you've got a lot of good answers to choose from already. The only thing I would add is that a truly solid-gold plated hypocrite DOESN'T CARE that they are a hypocrite. They'd walk around with 2 planks in each eye and somehow find a speck in someone else's eye from 2 blocks away.

That's partially why, in a few of my questions, I make it obvious that I'm more than willing to be corrected. (And also why I check my spelling, lol.)

Have a great night!

Answer 5

By studying the ones that Jesus called hypocrites in the Bible, we can learn what kind of people constitute being hypocritical.
Matthew 6:2-5 says "2 Hence when you go making gifts of mercy, do not blow a trumpet ahead of you, just as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to YOU, They are having their reward in full. 3 But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 that your gifts of mercy may be in secret; then your Father who is looking on in secret will repay you. 5 “Also, when YOU pray, YOU must not be as the hypocrites; because they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways to be visible to men. Truly I say to YOU, They are having their reward in full." So this tells us that those who make a show of prayer and those who have to make it known what gifts they have given to the poor are considered hypocrites.

Mark 7:6 says "6 He said to them: “Isaiah aptly prophesied about YOU hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honor me with [their] lips, but their hearts are far removed from me."
People make a big deal out of going to church every Sunday, but they don't live by what the Bible says - by what God tells them. They might go to church on Sunday but Saturday night they were out getting drunk and partying. Maybe they lie, cheat, steal, etc. If a person does all that and says they are Christian then they are nothing but hypocrites.
I believe there are people out there that do live their lives according to what the Bible teaches. Yes, I''m sure they mess up from time to time, but with repentance and prayer we are not lost. I think the repentance is what makes us not hypocrites.

Answer 6

I must agree with Yachadho, being a sinner doesn't make us a hypocrite, but rather, being a sinner and claiming self-righteousness for salvation is most hypocritical. Christ not only died and rose again for us, but He also lived a perfect life for us, because we couldn't live "above sin". We are clothed in His perfect life, not our own.

Answer 7

Due to my Christian background the term "whited sepulcher" immediately comes to mind.. Put another way, a hypocrite in my book is a person whose insides don't match their outsides. At times this defines includes you, me, and the whole human race; sociopaths, politicians, celebrities and con men more than others.

Answer 8

Perhaps but I also want someone to point out when I'm being a hypocrite so I'm not hypocritical by pointing out when someone else is.

Answer 9

That is why I make a point of working to make sure my stated beliefs and my actions coincide. And it is NOT easy at times (especially when I dearly want to CHOKE someone for their idiocy) to try to answer things in a way that fosters communications and community.

I don't always succeed, and I admit this freely. I just keep TRYING to make my walk match my talk

Answer 10

One of the wisest Christians I have ever known once told me a little secret, which I will share with you here.
It is simply this:
If you are letting a hypocrite get between you and God, that can only mean one thing...
that hypocrite is closer to God than you are.


Think about it!