Why Are Some Christians Hypocrites?

Why are some Christians hypocrites? This question is posed by Ryan Sharp in an essay he wrote for The Apologetics Study Bible for Students. Sharp, however, notes that a better question to ask is, "Why are all people hypocrites?"

We are all hypocrites because we are all sinners, insists Sharp. And he's right (Rm. 3:23). At one time or another we have all lied, cheated, coveted, been unkind - and we have all been hypocritical. How many of us, for example, have already broken one or more of our New Year's resolutions?

Many non-Christians mistakenly believe that Christians claim to be sinless. Christians, however, admit to being sinners; Christians acknowledge that they have major character flaws. This is what Christian theology clearly teaches.

To become Christlike is a long, gradual process, and the Bible says that throughout this earthly life, believers must wage a daily battle against the flesh. And this means, as Pastor Timothy Keller writes, "that the church will be filled with immature and broken people who have a long way to go emotionally, morally and spiritually."

Those of you who are unfamiliar with the Bible may be surprised to learn that many of its most celebrated heroes committed hideous sins. King David , for example, committed adultery with Bathsheba - whom he impregnated - and then had her husband, Uriah the Hittite, murdered in an attempted cover-up! After seeing an Egyptian beating a fellow Hebrew, Moses murdered the man and hid his body in the sand. Before his conversion on the road to Damascus, the Apostle Paul was a relentless persecutor of Christians. And, at times, both Abraham and Jacob lied and were deceptive.

As long as a Christian repents when he does sin and demonstrates a continuing hunger and passion for the righteous things of God, the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit will ensure that he is ultimately the victor over sin.

The moral failings of some believers - and the misdeeds done in the name of Christ throughout history - does not invalidate the truth of Christianity. Christianity stands or falls on the life and work of Jesus Christ, the only sinless person ever to have lived on the face of the earth.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) The non-believer cannot be excused from believing the truth because some Christians are hypocritical.