A Hypocrite Under Every Rock

Mat. 7:3-5 “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

A number of years ago, Cheryl and I had the pleasure to meet Zig Ziglar in a three day Richer Life Seminar. One of the stories that Zig told that impacted me most goes as follows: “I was talking to a man who told me he didn’t go to church because “that’s where all the hypocrites hang out” Zig replied, “friend, if a hypocrite is standing between you and God, he is closer to God than you are … so I wouldn’t use that one anymore” As ridiculous as it sounds, God used this silly story to get my attention, save my marriage and transform my life. My spiritual life, which at the time amounted to none, was between me and God. There is only one hypocrite I can surely change. My personal defense mechanism was to create barriers between God and myself. These unconscious barriers allowed me to avoid dealing with problems in my character. What about you? Got any logs in you eye that you have been hiding from? Well, there is no better time to get started making positive changes in your life than right NOW.

Hypocrite is the last thing anyone wants to be called. So the question is: “Are churches full of hypocrites”? You be the judge. A recent Barna Research Group study found that only 9% of Born Again Christians hold to a Biblical worldview on life. In other words, they have chosen not to use the Bible as the moral standard and guide in their lives unless it happens to agree with what they want to do. They have chosen to be the god of their day to day activities. In another meeting I attended years ago, Dr. Bill Bright explained that Campus Crusade had interviewed millions of Christians around the world and that more than 90% of Christians interviewed identified themselves as carnal Christians. Just this year, a non-Christian friend in response to horrific treatment by Christian employers, said, “if they are an examples of Christians, I don’t want any part of it”. I think you’d agree, it is no wonder why that the guy in Zig’s story said the "churches are filled with hypocrites", even Christians freely admit it. Thus the common reply, “Christians aren’t perfect ... just forgiven”. The result: A Hypocrite Under Every Rock.

But … on the other hand, I could write a thousand page book on the good that has been done by Christians worldwide this past year. And I believe that if we could calculate all of the lives that have been transformed for the better, and the good deeds towards others that have been done by Christians worldwide during this past year and over the past two thousand years, it would far exceed all of the accomplishments of all other religions and creeds combined ... multiple times over.

And yes, those hypocrites and carnal Christians are closer to God than the man in Zig’s story. After three days of intensive training, it became clear to me that the man in Zig’s story was actually a mirror image of me. I was the hypocrite pointing my finger at those others, going to church. Up to that time, hating hypocrites as much as I do, I was unwilling to admit that I was a hypocrite myself. In fact, 29 years later I must admit that I am still a hypocrite. Oh sure, I have improved greatly from where I was, but this is the beginning of a new year and I have a new list, with many of the same old failings from past resolutions. The apostle Paul said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do … What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Rom 7:15, 24-25. In other words, I made a list of all of the things I want to do and not only did I not do them, I did exactly the opposite. Sound like anyone you might know?

Conclusion: we are all hypocrites to varying degrees. For those ten percent who won’t admit it … remember, “when you have one finger pointed at someone else, three fingers are pointed right back at you.” Stop hiding behind false ideas and thinking that are keeping you from having the best in life and being the best that you can be!
Some dictionary definitions of hypocrite
A person who engages in the same behaviors he condemns others for.
A person who professes certain ideals, but fails to live up to them.
A person who holds other people to higher standards than he holds himself.

Would you like to change for the better?
The purpose of this blog is to help Christians and anyone else who wants to learn how to live a better life, and find God’s solutions to their problems in the Bible. If you are not a Christian hypocrite, that’s okay … all hypocrites are welcome here!
If your only reason for following to find out: "what makes that right wing Conservative Christian extremist tick?" ... that's okay too. Regardless of where you are coming from spiritually, don’t hesitate to register on my blog, but please understand, I have a history of being politically incorrect. Paradox Principles is looking for the truth in God's word, especially those truths that are the opposite of our human logic and the worldly teachings that have miss-guided us throughout our lives. Much of this might rub you the wrong way. After all, questioning and attacking false beliefs is the only way that we can get rid of them. So if we are following God’s word correctly, many ideas won’t at first make sense from a worldly point of view. God’s word is truth and it is true regardless of what we believe or what is politically correct. Don’t be offended if I say something that gets personal or challenges ideas or beliefs that you have had for years. Expect it! Your comments and criticisms are encouraged and welcomed.

So, whats next? That is the challenge. As the above scripture teaches I must first take the log out of my eye so I can help others with the speck in their eye. And I must admit ... I have an ugly list of my own to work on. The next step for you is to make your list of ways you are a hypocrite. One by one, this site will attempt to attack our weaknesses by finding God’s solutions. This blog is my first New Year’s resolution, and I intend to keep it. I’m not interested in good ideas … I want God’s solutions for both you and I. Register for this blog NOW! After all, it is the new year.
Keep it simple. Bob