Apologetics

Many arguments used by those that are disobedient to the Lord have nothing to do with right and wrong. Many people, both in and out of the body of Christ, have a tendency to justify their sins by pointing out the sins of others or the shortcomings of those that are trying to help them better appreciate the Christ of the new covenant. This chapter will help you learn to deal with these people so that it will be easier to teach them to allow Christ in their lives. It will also help you recognize if you are one of these people and, if so, how to change your own mental framework.

Lets begin by learning what a hypocrite truly is. The word hypocrite is an untranslated Greek word and means one that is deceitful. In the theatre it was the term used for an actor, one who was playing a part that was not really himself. In Christianity, then, it is one that appears to be something that he is not. It generally is applied to one that teaches one thing while living another.

A very good way to understand the use of this word is to view it in context in the new testament. We find it used in Galatians 2:11-13 where Paul records the following:

“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 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. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.”

There are two words in this text to be considered by us. The first is dissembled and the second is dissimulation. The first means to join in another’s hypocrisy; The second simply means to act hypocritically.

What then is this passage telling us? First, it tells us that Peter acted as a hypocrite. Second, it tells us that others were caught up in Peter’s actions. Third, it tells us that Peter was to be blamed for his conduct. The word blamed used here means that Peter was to be condemned for his actions. He had acted sinfully and this could not be tolerated.

Understanding what hypocrisy is, we may now draw a few conclusions from the text under consideration and other passages familiar to us through our daily Bible study.

First, Christ loves hypocrites. We know this to be true because Christ loved Peter and here Peter had fallen into hypocrisy. Additionally, Christ spent much time in His ministry warning the hypocrites of their impending doom and trying to persuade them to change their ways. Hypocrisy is not the unforgivable sin. But hypocrisy will condemn us if we live in it and fail to repent.

Second, we learn that truth, even from the lips of a hypocrite, is still truth. Even if the teacher is condemned because of his lifestyle, the truth stands vindicated because its nature is not dependant on the nature of the messenger. Peter did not invalidate all that he had taught since Pentecost by his action of hypocrisy and such is always true. Hypocrisy does not set aside the weight of truth.

Third, we learn that one can be a Christian, and maybe even a very active one, and still have some problems with hypocrisy. One is not automatically eliminated from the church or from the grace of God simply because he is struggling with this sin. If he is truly struggling and trying to overcome it, grace is actively working in his life and Christ is standing as his advocate before the Father.

Considering all this, we must then face the fact that our conduct, or our lack of obedience to Christ, cannot be justified simply because there are hypocrites that we can point at with our fingers. We are judged not by the conduct of others but by our own conduct in relationship to the Word of God (John 12:48). It is in this way that we stand or fall.

If we are dealing with someone that constantly points to hypocrites in the church we should try and make him understand these principles we have just discussed. We should also point out that the church was established to collect sinners and help them overcome the power that sin has in their lives. These sinners for which the church was established includes the hypocrites for they too need the power of Christ in their lives so that they can overcome their sins and be saved.

It is necessary for me, as a person needing Christ, to forget about others and consider myself in light of divine scripture. When I have cast the beam from my own eye, then I can help the hypocrite remove the mote from his (Matthew 7:1-5). Let me first be what I should be. Then let me help others be what they should be through Christ our Redeemer.

Think on these things.