Hypocrisy vs Honesty

The following notes are meant to be supplementary sermon content to go along with the Why: Community sermon above.

The Danger of Hypocrisy in Community 

“Hypocrisy is a part of our sad heritage of sin, but in our day, it is aggravated by our whole way of life. Advertising is largely based upon this habit of pretense - appealing to the victim’s desire to shine at a party. Books are sold, clothes and cosmetics are peddled, by playing continually upon this desire to appear what we are not. Artificiality is one curse that will drop away the moment we kneel at the feet of Jesus; then what we are will be everything; what we appear will take its place far down the scale of interest for us. It is only an evil desire to shine that makes us want to appear other than we are.”  A.W. Tozer 

How to Move from Hypocrisy to Honesty? 

The Answer is Jesus – Realize and remember you have forgiveness of sin and a new identity, you have purpose and belonging through Jesus Christ. You can confess anything because you are not defined by what you have done. 

The Answer is Honesty - Take off the mask, stop pretending and get gut-level honest with at least one person. 

What do you need to confess? What do you need to reveal? It is with great joy Jesus will present you blameless before the Father. But you must move from hypocrisy to honesty. 

What if we don’t move beyond hypocrisy to honesty regarding OURSELVES? 

Keeping up an image and appearance is exhausting. In the best-case scenario, you fool everyone into believing a lie while you and God still know the truth. In the worst-case scenario, you crumble under the weight and pressure of pretending. 

What if we don’t move beyond hypocrisy to honesty regarding OTHERS? 

In a survey done by Barna Research when outsiders, non-Christians, were asked what they thought about Christians, 85% replied with this word “hypocrite”. Those outside the faith, 85%, look at believers and say they are fake, hiding, dishonest, and pretending to be something they are not. 

How do we advance the gospel if 85% of non-believers see through our facades? How is that evangelistic? Would you respect someone who tries to hide their flaws pretending to be something they are not? Would you listen to their advice or even hear them when they talk about faith? Your genuineness is not only better for you, but it also makes a bigger impact for the kingdom than pretending to be perfect.