There has always been an issue of the presence of hypocrites in the church, and this fact has often been cited as the reason why many people have stopped attending, because of the fact that some members live contrary to what the word of God teaches on several points, whilst they actively advocate to the contrary. First of all we must understand that the meaning of the word hypocrite is one who says something and does another. Even Christ encountered this problem in His earthly ministry, and He cautioned His disciples not to follow the lead of those who practiced hypocrisy. Let’s read:
Matthew 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
There are some facts about hypocrites that are essential for us to understand before we proceed, for after a probing investigation, we discover some startling issues pertaining to those who are often labeled as being hypocrites.
[1] Some of the best saints started off as hypocrites. Let’s read:
John 18:18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
Mark 14:66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of
Nazareth.
68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
[Desire of Ages pp. 712] Peter tried to show no interest in the trial of his Master, but his heart was wrung with sorrow as he heard the cruel taunts, and saw the abuse He was suffering. More than this, he was surprised and angry that Jesus should humiliate Himself and His followers by submitting to such treatment.
In order to conceal his true feelings, he endeavored to join with the persecutors of Jesus in their untimely jests. But his appearance was unnatural. He was acting a lie, and while seeking to talk unconcernedly he could not restrain expressions of indignation at the abuse heaped upon his Master.
Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
[2] Any church, or any religion which claims to be without hypocrites is a false church. In every religion and in every church there are to be found those who teach or advocate for one thing, and then do the exact opposite. We clearly remember one of the most particular instances back in the islands, where a certain Rastaman was known to be quite vocal against the eating of all meats, or “deaders” as they are referred to. This was all well and good, until one night he was discovered at a local Kentucky fried chicken restaurant, chomping down on some finger-licking good chicken. When confronted about what he was doing there, he just shook his dreads with a wry smile on his face. The same was true of Bin Laden, who had often referred to America as the great satan, because of the immorality and lewd dressing habits indulged across this country. The same Bin Laden was found with a number of X-rated movies in his possession, whilst he severely chastised the west for similar sins. And the list goes on and on, from Bible characters to secular folk, not one segment of society, nor of any religious establishment is immune from the problem of hypocrisy. And the reason is given in the scriptures. Let’s read:
Psalm 19: 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
[3] Just because a person may have fallen into dreadful sin, does it mean that they are hypocrites. Let’s read:
Proverbs 24:6 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. 17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
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.
[4]Hypocrites can be changed by the grace of God.
Isaiah 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.
6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
[Conflict and Courage pp. 234] Isaiah had denounced the sin of others; but now he sees himself exposed to the same condemnation he had pronounced upon them. He had been satisfied with a cold, lifeless ceremony in his worship of God. He had not known this until the vision was given him of the Lord. How little now appeared his wisdom and talents as he looked upon the sacredness and majesty of the sanctuary. How unworthy he was! how unfitted for sacred service! ...
The vision given to Isaiah represents the condition of God’s people in the last days. They are privileged to see by faith the work that is going forward in the heavenly sanctuary. “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament.” As they look by faith into the holy of holies, and see the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, they perceive that they are a people of unclean lips,—a people whose lips have often spoken vanity, and whose talents have not been sanctified and employed to the glory of God.
[5] The presence of hypocrites is no reason to stop attending church. This last fact about hypocrites is where our study for this afternoon takes up, for it is one of the most common reasons given by dis-affected members for not being willing to attend church anymore. Let’s read:
1st samuel 1:1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah"..... 3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
At this time in ancient Israel’s history, the services of the sanctuary were riddled with the most heinous sins and hypocrisies, and according to the Bible, most of the Hebrews had become quite discouraged from attending church services, for they abhorred the offering of the Lord, as executed by the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas. Their blatant sacrilegious practices were apparently used as valid reasons for staying away from the services of the temple, to the point where some members were now actually afraid to go to church. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 2:16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.
But there was one family which did not allow the hypocrisy of Eli and his sons to interfere with their faithfulness and their relationship with God, and even though the sacrifices and offerings they took to the temple were most likely being used inappropriately, they still continued to attend on a yearly basis. This aspect of dealing with the problem of hypocrites is worthy of emulation in our day where many sincere Christians have become discouraged and disillusioned by the worldly-mindedness and the double standards practiced and countenanced in many churches. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. 24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress. 25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father".....
If everyone in the church were to stop attending because of a preponderance of hypocrites, then no faithful members will remain to make a difference. And when there are no faithful members in attendance, the administrative services of the sanctuary, and the necessary outreach to the community are left in disrepair, and before we know it, satan has gained a stunning victory, by both severely restricting the usefulness of the church, whilst at the same time, robbing the congregation of spiritual nutrition, which then leads to more and more spiritual declension.
As Christians, there are times in our experiences when we may not feel enthusiastic about attending church services, because of the abundance of hypocrites, or because of coldness on the part of fellow believers. However, we should always remember that it was Christ who died to save us, and as such, our faithfulness to Him should not be based on existential negatives, but we should rather consider that our sacred commitment is first and foremost, to God, on an individual basis.
Let us therefore seek to emulate the faithfulness of Elkanah and his entire household in our own experiences, for God honors those who honor Him, and the faithfulness of a few, might very well be the agencies by which The Holy Spirit might institute positive change for the better, and the greater good of all.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to stay the course with Christ, even during days of conflict and apostasy, for God is able to turn the tide of evil in favor of righteousness, according to His good pleasure. Let's read:
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
God bless!