Thought for the Week
“I don’t go to church because churches are full of hypocrites!” This is an increasingly common sentiment. But is it true? Are churches full of hypocrites?
Duh. Are AA meetings full of alcoholics? I’m a Christian, though I rarely use the term, preferring “Jesus follower” instead. Why? Well, for starters, it’s used indiscriminately by hundreds of millions who hold few if any actual Christian convictions.
But in another sense, I don’t deserve to call myself a Christian: the word Christian (“Christ-like”) is believed to have originally been used by Roman detractors as a put-down (“You’re like that Jesus guy!”). And I’m not worthy of such a put-down yet.
AA members address meetings with, “Hello, I’m __________ and I’m an alcoholic (or addict).” They say this regardless of whether they fell off the wagon yesterday or have been a “recovering alcoholic” for fifty years. Why? Because they know their addiction never really goes away. They live “one day at a time,” and even then they need others to help them do it.
It’s the same with “recovering hypocrites.”
“Oh, you’re just making excuses,” some may say. “If your Christianity was real, or if Christianity itself was real, you wouldn’t be a hypocrite anymore!”
Wrong.
We live in a broken world. Everyone is broken, and our brokenness takes many forms. Here’s a quick insight into my brokenness: I have ADHD and if I had a nickel for every time I’ve ever offended someone by (quotes indicate things I’ve been accused of many times) “ignoring” them or “arrogantly” “rolling over” them with my “own ideas” rather than “respecting” “their opinions,” which I missed because I was lost in thought, or watching a car go by, or… Well, let’s just say I’d have a corner on the world’s nickel supply. So, to everyone I’ve ever offended: I’m sorry. Seriously.
Nevertheless…
I didn’t get “saved” from my ADHD when I became a Jesus follower any more than short people get saved from their shortness or Scots get saved from their red-headedness.
Everyone is broken. But not everyone’s brokenness is label-able. Many suffer from what I call “normative brokenness,” i.e. undiagnosed pathologies. For example: I have a friend who is an extremely successful leader. Why? Because he believes he should lead–even when he shouldn’t. He doesn’t understand sensitive or gifted people, and routinely ignores them. Except when he prays. And then—every now and then—God humbles him.
Humility is not “natural” for him because his undiagnosed pathology is hard-wired into him, just as my ADHD is into me. He too is a recovering hypocrite. And, no, he didn’t get “healed” of his hypocrisy when he became a Jesus follower either.
What we did get was a way of overcoming our hypocrisies. It’s called prayer. It’s our 12 Step program, our hotline and our sponsorship all rolled into one. How often do I pray? As often as needed. Which is pretty much every minute of every hour of every day (I Thessalonians 5:17).
It’s a powerful thing. But it’s not magic. Prayer only works because there’s Someone at the other end. And it’s gradually changing me despite my broken nature. I’m still me, but now I’m me-being-transformed-by-Him. And that that makes all the difference.
Life as a recovering hypocrite isn’t a downhill slide into happyland—for me or for the people I’ve wounded. But it’s better than being a hypocrite in denial, which the world has far more of than it does recovering hypocrites.
I headed this post with a snarky cartoon because, yes, churches fall short. Or rather their members do. We’re just a bunch of recovering hypocrites, after all. So…want to join us?
You can bring your pathology.
Thanks for being so candid in your thought provoking post, Mitch.
My pleasure, Terry.
Your honesty is your strength. Well written and thought provoking.
Thank you, Colin.
Or, as one of my favorite songs calls us, ” a Recovering Pharisee”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMyplW33E7c
Love it, Rick.
Wonderful!
Thank you, Jean!
Thanks for the Post, insightful
My privilege, L.G.
People in general are hypocrites.. all of us want boundaries by which to live even if we say we don’t. These boundaries produce rules/ laws.. which all of us break.. whether Christian , atheist, right or left wing politically. Additionally, all of us judge.. so what then? How then? Is the answer? There is One who offers to destroy the prison walls of Egypt.. take us along new paths … from glory to glory:)
Btw: I have adhd too.. 🙂 Although it is a challenge .. I love the neurodivergent mind I was given when created:)
Yep, I get that. ADHD on for the One, Kimberly!
Are people who go to Christian churches Christian.
Is the concept of heaven and hell obsolete?
Is it a moot point?
Or the most important point.
Great insights. I look at it this way; every group (racial, economic, religious, whatever) have good and bad elements. The bad elements are always a small portion of the total group, and blaming the all for the actions of the few is just wrong. Bashing Christianity (and religion in general) has become popular as Atheism has become a warped version of religion itself and people make their egos more important than what they know is right and wrong.
Thank you for thoughtful comment, my friend.
Thoughtful points, Mitch. I embrace the idea that believers aren’t perfect; they are forgiven.
<3
Wonderful !Anita
Why, thank you, Anita.
Recovering, hypocrite, yes, Mitch. I’m glad I don’t have to measure how far I’ve recovered, and how far there still is to go!
Me too, Malcolm.
To live “in Christ” requires we focus on self awareness of our hypocrisy and strive to correct. A related issue is that much of our behavior is incongruent with the faith but we refuse to change our minds. I think I’m an example of both paths. It’s almost unavoidable.
Great comment, Carl! 🙂
Yes, I agree, totally. I am a Jesus-follower too. Thank you for sharing 🙏
My privilege, Morag.
Love it!
Nice delivery
Thank you, Rob.
Can I say, I am Christian, but not religious?
This is because I agree with the teachings, but I don’t like dogma and politics.
I wholeheartedly agree, that there is someone at the other end of the line whenour prayers are genuine and true. Wholeheartedly agree.
You certainly can say that, Maria. And a lot of people, including me, would agree with you.
It’s been awhile since I’ve been in church. Currently it’s because I don’t have a car and my husband works on Sundays. I struggle with church more recently because the minute I “broke” a little and wasn’t the dumping group for “female tasks” in the church I was forgotten about by everyone but my pastor. He is a Saint that man. His imperfections make him perfect to me. He holds no judgment towards me or my husband and is always there when we have questions or are hurting. I want to go back but I’m kinda hurt by how I was treated and how when I did go back one week everyone was all lovey now that I was “better.” Also Saturday and Sunday are the only days I get to sleep in and that makes it hard as well. Sorry I know I’m rambling but any suggestions are welcome.
Some of the reasons people don’t attend church is because of the way they have been treated and judged by other Christians which is horrible. When I was doing work as a Chaplain I heard of how the church rather people minister or others treated members is terrible I will not share. People in the church simply don’t understand if you treat others by judging them they not only walk away from the church but also they turn their backs on God.
Well said, Mitch!
My heart grieves for those who have been badly hurt by the church. We need to do better BUT we most definitely will never be perfect! Not until the day we meet Jesus face to face.
So true, Carolyn.
Really well said. It’s cringy to be comfortable in my own skin when it looks hypocritical to someone else. The only thing not cringy is God’s acceptance.
Interesting insights, and so many thoughtful responses. My concern has always been the “my way or the highway” mentality of many Christians and churches. Having questions or doubts is viewed as weakness. I found my spiritual home in a Unitarian Universalist fellowship, and it has made a huge difference for me. I realize that’s not everyone’s cup of tea (and I was once told that, by being a UU, I worshipped the devil), but the openness and acceptance, and the support I find there for my spiritual journey is what keeps me in religious community.
Just a question: do you speak spanish?6
My favorite rejoinder:
“I can’t go to church. It is full of hypocrites!”
“Not true! There’s always room for one more…”
;>)
Really good insightful post, Mitch.
SO true! Well-spoken, brother!
By the way, last week I learned that when researchers trained caterpillars to do certain things, the butterflies remembered. https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13412-butterflies-remember-caterpillar-experiences/ Blessings, Anne
Mitch, this is a great message. I like how you refer to your self as a follower of Jesus. I do the same or I will also use disciple.
Eloquent.
Thanks
I relate to this. And that is what i struggle with, that I’m a hypocrite. This being like Jesus and living like Jesus is challenging everything in me. There are more days I don’t want to be like Him.
Great Post ❤️🔥
Hello, my name is Karla. I’m a hypocrite. Mitch, you always hit the heart and soul in a way I need—-and I know others are sharing the same! WOW! THANK YOU, dear friend!!
Following Christ involves following, sometimes Jesus had to correct his disciples, and sometimes he had to show the Pharisees that they were in the wrong.
It is why He has given us His Spirit, to guide us to correct us when we need it, and to build into us the nature and charachter of Christ, and for most of us it takes a lifetime.
I think for people to not want to go to church is selfish, I think they would rather blame someone for it.
But that’s me.
Blessings
Mitch, this is a great perspective.
On Facebook and other social media I use occasionally, Two of the things that I always include in my “about me” section are “Imperfect Christ Follower” and “Recovering Know-it-All.” Don’t know how many people read that part of my feed, but it’s important for me that it’s there.
Thanks for your insights.
Paula Geister
Aha, Paula. I’m so glad you told me who this was. Humble on, dear friend.
Great post and points, Mitch! Appreciate your honesty. There are no perfect Christians, it’s why we go to church…to meet with our perfect Christ.
Thanks, Peggy.
From one recovering sinner in general and ADHD specifically, yes, we are all hypocrites. (If we break the law in one area, we’re guilty of breaking all of it. – James 2:10)
I love the answer one person gave to the “church-is-full-of-hypocrites” line: “Then you should join us. One more isn’t going to make that much difference.” 😉
;>)
Great post, Mitch. 🙂
Thank you, Andi.
Thought provoking. I enjoyed this very much.
I’m with you, fellow-pilgrim.🤠
Thanks, brother.
I completely agree, Mitch! Of course there are some hypocrites in church (they’re everywhere), but the majority of people who go to church are simply flawed people in search of a meaningful faith. And what we think of as hypocrisy may simply be people trying to live up to their faith but not always succeeding. (And I know I’m in that category.) All we can do is pray, continually, for guidance and healing.
Indeed, Ann.
You make a perfect apologist for the Christian faith (or just all the Jesus Followers) . We are all just trying our best to be Christ to the world. Sometimes we do a decent job of it and at other times we are abject failures. Prayer and God’s grace save us – mostly from ourselves…
Very, very true, Val.
🙏🏻👍🏻
Are Christians hypocrites? Of course. As you note, we’re flawed, we’re broken. Does knowing we are hypocrites give us an excuse for not doing better? Not so much. Our faith convicts and challenges us. One good thing, though, is that we serve a God of love who (unlike us) loves perfectly and forever-ly. Your work here is really, marvelously well-expressed. All the points you raise are sound and actual.
Thank you, and thank you for your own thoughts on the subject, Christopher.
This is good, appreciated the hope in the message. We’ve always called our church a hospital where broken people go for healing.
Exactly, Rosie! Sorry I didn’t see your comment previously, btw.
Hello Mitch, Do you ever sponsor guest posts on your wordpress site? I recently had an article on Christian hypocrisy published in the London Free Press. My idea was that hypocrisy is not just within churches – the people who judge Christians as hypocrites must have very high moral standards of their own. If they are not fully living up to their own ideals, they are hypocrites too. Perhaps they need to take the log out of their own eye? If you would be interested, I could send the article your way and maybe you could post it on your site? It is about 600 words. I am interested in helping people get beyond barriers to attending church. My own blog is “Intelligent Christian Spirituality” Thanks Bruce Tallman
Hi Bruce. It sounds like an excellent post, but I have so many in the queue currently that I’ve had to put a hold on adding any others. I would like to read the article though.
Hi Mitch,
Here is the article you requested from my blog “Intelligent Christian Spirituality”
HYPOCRISY: NOT JUST RELIGION!
People may refuse to attend religious institutions for a multitude of reasons, but in my spiritual direction practice, if I ask Christians if they belong to any spiritual community, they often reply they don’t go to church because churches are full of hypocrites. I imagine people of other faiths have the same reason for not going to synagogues, mosques, or temples.
What is hypocrisy? It’s pretending to be what you aren’t. It’s espousing high ideals (compassion and generosity) on Sunday, and then living by a different set of values (competition and greed) the rest of the week. Hypocrisy is the opposite of authenticity and sincerity.
Non-religious people usually do not mind religious people who are authentic and sincere, who “walk their talk.” What they do mind are religious people who engage in hypocrisy. In this they are in good company. The only thing that made Jesus angry was hypocrisy.
Jesus handled hypocrisy in three basic ways. He used vitriol, blasting self-righteous religious people: “You hypocrites, you brood of vipers! You are like whitewashed tombs: beautiful on the outside but full of corruption within!” Or he got physical, clearing the temple of moneychangers and demanding to know why the religious authorities had allowed God’s house of prayer to become a den of robbers? Or he used humour: “Friend, why do you try to remove the sliver of wood in your brother’s eye, when you haven’t removed the log in your own?”
I am often tempted to use humour in my practice: “Don’t let your idea that the church is full of hypocrites stop you from coming. There’s always room for one more!” Although I don’t use it, this joke might make the non-churchgoer think because it implies that perhaps they are not living in complete accord with their highest ideals either.
The person who judges another as a hypocrite must have high ideals and be living up to those ideals themselves, or they have no right to make that judgment. However, our society as a whole, not just the church, is filled with hypocrisy.
We tell our children not to gossip or drink and then do it ourselves. We say we love our spouses in Valentine’s cards and then treat them badly the rest of the year. Unions say they are going on strike to serve the public better when it seems like their real motive is even higher pay. Corporate advertising is often deceptive. Politicians espouse high ideals and then fight for power.
A helpful way to look at all this might be: hypocrisy and authenticity are on a continuum, and everyone, both in religion and society, is somewhere on the continuum. In both religion and society, the actions of some do not match their ideals at all, and for some, their actions and ideals are totally integrated. The latter are called “saints” in religion, and “together” in society.
Churches, like the rest of society, do have hypocrites. However, no church I know of claims to be a society of the perfect. Going to church does not mean you no longer have human weaknesses and are not exposed to temptations like the rest of us. Most churchgoers I know are very aware of their imperfections and go because they need God’s help and the support of a religious community in living their faith. In other words, they go out of humility, not pride.
In short, to those who judge churchgoers as hypocrites, I would only ask two questions: “Friend, where are you on the continuum?” And “Have you removed the log in your own eye?”
Bruce Tallman is a London spiritual director and educator of adults in religion.
http://www.brucetallman.com
Just finished reading this, Bruce. Excellent. Well-reasoned and communicated.
I personally like to call myself Christian because I do follow Jesus and the word Christian actually means little Christ.
We are supposed to be imitating Christ. Which is a perfect name for us because that’s literally what Jesus called us to do.
We are to live in a holier manner than other people. We are to live in a way that is unique than other people.
Now I personally believe that calling us Hypocrites is a sin.
The reason why is because what is a hypocrite? It’s a person who says to do something and then does something completely different.
So basically a liar.
If that’s the case, then everyone who accuses us of being a hypocrite is a hypocrite themself, making them very hypocritical.
Because yes we have sin, but what is their sin?
Ask them what their sin is?
What are they trying to accuse us of the same sins that they do?
That’s a hypocrite. Plus we do our best to not do those sins because we know that that way is not right.
You can call yourself a Jesus follower, to each their own, but I know the meaning of Christian, and I like it.
Jesus did call us friends, we are friends of God.
I mean like there are so many celebrities out there and you call their fans by their names.
What are Taylor Swift fans? They’re called Swifties. What are Justin Bieber fans? They’re called Beliebers. What are Logan Paul’s fans called? They’re called the Logang.
Why can’t we call ourselves Christian’s if we love Jesus that much?
Not trying to downplay what you’re saying, you make valid points in this post.
And actually I hope that we can connect somehow in the future to talk about Jesus. Anyways, hope this was an encouragement and a hope. Remember that God loves you.
At times when there is division in the church mission. God will bring a chosen witness to say what God’s going to do.
Often the irony, is that the cloud of God and great revalation appears to the drug house down the street. And that individual being set apart will bring the truth. If you don’t believe that’s how God works than you missed out on half the Bible.
At least the dope head is honest with his need for redemption.
But he will bring his fantastic testimony, and they won’t believe.
They will harden their hearts like in the rebellion
But the witness will be judged differently, on everyone he tells. Because belief was instilled .
Hello, God bless you!
I love my beautiful King Jesus! He is amazing, wonderful, and lovely! King Jesus is the King of kings, Lord of lords, and God of gods!
He is the One I love, my everything forever; He is the God of Glory, the Almighty, and I love Him, I adore Him! King Jesus is infinitely beautiful, the perfect God, the Holy One whom I love!
I love my precious King Jesus; I love Him, I adore Him! King Jesus, King of the Stars, is my God whom I worship, my King whom I love, my Lord whom I adore!
King Jesus is my everything forever, my Lovely One, my Beautiful One, my Holy One! He is the God of Glory, the Mighty God, the God of Armies!
He is everlastingly beautiful, magnificent and precious, lovely and wonderful; I love Him! King Jesus, God of Galaxies, is the righteous, glorious, and magnificent! I love Him, I adore Him!
Thank you for letting me comment. I love you, God bless you!
And God bless you, Allen!
And there is room for one more, ain’t it great? Glory!