Hypocrites in the church

Sunday and Wednesday

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by: Brian Neilson

09/22/2021

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I had a conversation recently with a lady who said she doesn't go to church because of all the "hypocrites" at church. I am sure most of us have had that conversation or maybe you are that person. My answer to this very nice lady and to anyone reading this who thinks this way is you are going to church for the wrong reason. We go to church because the Bible commands us to do so.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

We go to church to serve others not judge them. We go to church to worship our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. If you spent more time focused on God and less time looking around at everyone else you wouldn't have time to notice them being hypocrites. And you would discover the harsh reality that you in fact are one of those hypocrites sitting in church. Because we all are!

We go to church to worship our LORD and to grow closer to Him. We go to church to support each other and to love each other. I get so excited to go to church each week because I know being around my brothers and sisters is going to reenergize me and encourage me to keep serving my LORD.

The other problem with this statement is you in fact are a hypocrite for saying it. I am a hypocrite, I don't like it and I don't want to be one but I am and so are you. Yes, people have different personalities and problems. And sometimes those different personalities drive you crazy but so what. People can be mean and nasty to you, but so what. The Bible tells us to love our enemies and love our neighbors. It doesn't mean you have to spend time with them or be best friends. I heard it said once if you find a perfect church don't go there because you will mess it up. No church is perfect, no person is perfect. I guarantee you there are people that are annoyed by your personality or that think you are a hypocrite because you are. Is it okay to be a hypocrite? No, but we are. The same thing that makes us sinners makes us hypocrites. Our dirty old flesh. One day we will be perfect but that day is not today.

The other problem here is You spent so much time worrying about what everyone else at church was saying and doing you had no time for God. You spent all your time judging everyone around you instead of being focused on God. Did you ever ask that person on their cell phone if they were okay? Maybe they are on their phone because their mom is sick and they are worried about her. Maybe they are looking up a Bible verse the preacher just mentioned. Maybe they are doing exactly what you think they are doing on their phone and not paying attention. But guess what you aren't paying attention either. So who is the hypocrite here?

Did you ask that person who fell asleep during service if they need anything? Maybe she just got off work from her second job and she is trying her best to stay awake but she is just exhausted and just can't. Maybe if someone would offer to cook a meal for her family or watch her kids for the afternoon so she could have a break she would be okay. But you were too busy judging her without knowing anything about her that you left church instead of offering to help her. So you are the hypocrite, not her.

Well, what about all the people who lie and spread gossip and say mean things to you and hurt your feelings? I would say what about them? Again you are there to serve God and to serve others. You are most likely one of the worst gossips in the church if you are so busy noticing all the people who act in this way you are probably one of them. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:3 “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

As believers our sins have been forgiven, but we still have our sinful flesh and so we are hypocrites, we say and do things that we shouldn't. We say and do things that are contrary to what we teach and or believe. As Pastors, we are guilty of these things as well because we are in fact just forgiven sinners with our own flesh to deal with. I try not to be a hypocrite and practice what I preach but I fail daily just like you. Going to church is about having strong relationships with other believers, the body of Christ that are there for each other and love each other and serve each other. We are called to serve the flock all of us, not just the Pastor. So get back in church but this time focus all of your attention on the reason for being there, Jesus Christ. Yes, you will have people that hurt you, who lie to you, who don't keep their word. But what you can do is love them anyways and forgive them. You don't have to spend time with them or have anything to do with them. But don't let people keep you from spending time with God. God doesn't judge you by what others do, He judges you for what you do. So make sure you are not being a hypocrite by skipping church.
Find a loving supportive church that teaches every word of the Bible and is doing its best to serve the LORD. An old-time southern Preacher said to me once "remember how much slack God cut you when deciding if you are going to cut someone else slack". People in the world treat you the same or worse but you still go and do things in the world. Just because someone is a believer doesn't mean they are without problems or faults. If someone says or does something to you love them anyway. You are in church for God not for them. The only person who is hurt by you skipping church is you. Don't let others affect your relationship with God.


If you are not a believer and you judge God by what His followers do then you lose everything. Judge God by what He does not what us hypocrites who follow Him do. We are just sinners who have been forgiven and saved from eternity in Hell by the love, mercy, and grace of God.

Today is the perfect day to give your life to Jesus and have your sins forgiven!

 You have to believe with your whole heart, mind, and soul that what you are saying is true. It is a big commitment but you can do it. It will change your life literally forever. If you are ready to do that then say this prayer out loud.

" LORD Jesus I am sinner, I know I have done things wrong, please forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me and that God raised you from the dead. Please come into my life as my LORD and savior and I will do whatever you want me to do.

Brothers and sisters let us be the 1st to welcome you into the family. We love you and God loves you.

Please go to our contact page and let us know that you said that prayer. We would love to help you on your walk with Jesus.

In Love Pastor Brian.

Blog comments will be sent to the moderator

I had a conversation recently with a lady who said she doesn't go to church because of all the "hypocrites" at church. I am sure most of us have had that conversation or maybe you are that person. My answer to this very nice lady and to anyone reading this who thinks this way is you are going to church for the wrong reason. We go to church because the Bible commands us to do so.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

We go to church to serve others not judge them. We go to church to worship our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. If you spent more time focused on God and less time looking around at everyone else you wouldn't have time to notice them being hypocrites. And you would discover the harsh reality that you in fact are one of those hypocrites sitting in church. Because we all are!

We go to church to worship our LORD and to grow closer to Him. We go to church to support each other and to love each other. I get so excited to go to church each week because I know being around my brothers and sisters is going to reenergize me and encourage me to keep serving my LORD.

The other problem with this statement is you in fact are a hypocrite for saying it. I am a hypocrite, I don't like it and I don't want to be one but I am and so are you. Yes, people have different personalities and problems. And sometimes those different personalities drive you crazy but so what. People can be mean and nasty to you, but so what. The Bible tells us to love our enemies and love our neighbors. It doesn't mean you have to spend time with them or be best friends. I heard it said once if you find a perfect church don't go there because you will mess it up. No church is perfect, no person is perfect. I guarantee you there are people that are annoyed by your personality or that think you are a hypocrite because you are. Is it okay to be a hypocrite? No, but we are. The same thing that makes us sinners makes us hypocrites. Our dirty old flesh. One day we will be perfect but that day is not today.

The other problem here is You spent so much time worrying about what everyone else at church was saying and doing you had no time for God. You spent all your time judging everyone around you instead of being focused on God. Did you ever ask that person on their cell phone if they were okay? Maybe they are on their phone because their mom is sick and they are worried about her. Maybe they are looking up a Bible verse the preacher just mentioned. Maybe they are doing exactly what you think they are doing on their phone and not paying attention. But guess what you aren't paying attention either. So who is the hypocrite here?

Did you ask that person who fell asleep during service if they need anything? Maybe she just got off work from her second job and she is trying her best to stay awake but she is just exhausted and just can't. Maybe if someone would offer to cook a meal for her family or watch her kids for the afternoon so she could have a break she would be okay. But you were too busy judging her without knowing anything about her that you left church instead of offering to help her. So you are the hypocrite, not her.

Well, what about all the people who lie and spread gossip and say mean things to you and hurt your feelings? I would say what about them? Again you are there to serve God and to serve others. You are most likely one of the worst gossips in the church if you are so busy noticing all the people who act in this way you are probably one of them. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:3 “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

As believers our sins have been forgiven, but we still have our sinful flesh and so we are hypocrites, we say and do things that we shouldn't. We say and do things that are contrary to what we teach and or believe. As Pastors, we are guilty of these things as well because we are in fact just forgiven sinners with our own flesh to deal with. I try not to be a hypocrite and practice what I preach but I fail daily just like you. Going to church is about having strong relationships with other believers, the body of Christ that are there for each other and love each other and serve each other. We are called to serve the flock all of us, not just the Pastor. So get back in church but this time focus all of your attention on the reason for being there, Jesus Christ. Yes, you will have people that hurt you, who lie to you, who don't keep their word. But what you can do is love them anyways and forgive them. You don't have to spend time with them or have anything to do with them. But don't let people keep you from spending time with God. God doesn't judge you by what others do, He judges you for what you do. So make sure you are not being a hypocrite by skipping church.
Find a loving supportive church that teaches every word of the Bible and is doing its best to serve the LORD. An old-time southern Preacher said to me once "remember how much slack God cut you when deciding if you are going to cut someone else slack". People in the world treat you the same or worse but you still go and do things in the world. Just because someone is a believer doesn't mean they are without problems or faults. If someone says or does something to you love them anyway. You are in church for God not for them. The only person who is hurt by you skipping church is you. Don't let others affect your relationship with God.


If you are not a believer and you judge God by what His followers do then you lose everything. Judge God by what He does not what us hypocrites who follow Him do. We are just sinners who have been forgiven and saved from eternity in Hell by the love, mercy, and grace of God.

Today is the perfect day to give your life to Jesus and have your sins forgiven!

 You have to believe with your whole heart, mind, and soul that what you are saying is true. It is a big commitment but you can do it. It will change your life literally forever. If you are ready to do that then say this prayer out loud.

" LORD Jesus I am sinner, I know I have done things wrong, please forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me and that God raised you from the dead. Please come into my life as my LORD and savior and I will do whatever you want me to do.

Brothers and sisters let us be the 1st to welcome you into the family. We love you and God loves you.

Please go to our contact page and let us know that you said that prayer. We would love to help you on your walk with Jesus.

In Love Pastor Brian.

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1 Comments on this post:

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Diana

Thank you for this devotion! At times I have caught myself looking at others and being critical of what they maybe doing., sadly being that hypocrite. Your devotion spoke to me to stop being that hypocrite ,instead focus solely on praising and worshiping God and learning about Him. Loving others and serving them as Jesus calls me too.

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