What's the real definition of a hypocrite?
It's a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess. (dictionary.com)
Tell me where it says "if you screw up" or "making a mistake contrary to beliefs is hypocritical," it doesn't! The definition further says that a hypocrite is someone who has a secret life, one that doesn't reflect the beliefs someone says they have. In essence a hypocrite is a phony! Not someone who says they believe in Jesus and on occasion messes up.
If others' definition is true, that messing up makes you a hypocrite, then everyone is, and no one has room to talk because calling someone a hypocrite, makes you a hypocrite. Ya dig?
I am no where close to perfect. I'd be lying if I said I was since I became a Christian. It is absolutely impossible for a human to be perfect when our very thoughts make us impure. When I say I believe in Christ and try my best every day to obtain worthiness of God's forgiveness, I've accepted him into my heart, and I repent of my sins then his blood has covered them.
Yes, I will admit that I've told people drinking is stupid and I have done it before that doesn't make me a hypocrite, it means I messed up, as a teenager. GOD FORBID, right? Jeez.
Just recently I got in an argument with a former friend of mine and she absolutely cracked me up with her lack of truth to her calling me a hypocrite. She was calling me names while I didn't and when I told her to act her age and not try getting someone down like a 12 year old, she called me a hypocrite because I find the word "poop" humorous. HAHAHAHAHA, I'm sorry, but does anyone else see the stupidity in that?
Furthermore, she tried bringing up the fact that I went to a party in October and drank, again she tried calling me a hypocrite. When, that isn't hypocrisy. I am not saying it was alright for me to do so but I was also pressured by my ex friends to drink then later they brought me back to call me a hypocrite. Lame huh?
As we trace further back to her and mine's former friendship, she was always asking me to talk to her about my outlook on life, talk to her about Jesus, wanted to go to church, and help her change for the better. In the same argument, she had said hateful things about Jesus. Not only that, but she said she was tired of me "pushing my views on them".So wait.
Who's the hypocrite? By the real definition...
Her.
I am not trying to talk bad about her, but it was the perfect example of the confusion I see all the time.
So, what it is called when you say one thing and do another? Well, the word is "contradiction". I have, in fact, contradicted my beliefs before through my actions. Saying not to drink, then me going to a party and drinking, yes that is contradiction but to me, not my beliefs. It does not make me a hypocrite. It means I screwed up. I am human.
I am not denying that there are Christians who are in fact hypocrites. Many people profess Jesus and their lives do not reflect it. They want the benefits of being a Christian but nothing they do shows they need or want Jesus in their life.
In the Bible, Jesus calls the pharisees hypocrites all the time, why? Well, they are described as Religious. And as you look deeper "religion" is far more different than a relationship with Jesus.
How does this fit with hypocrisy? Might you ask.
The answer lies within the heart.
The pharisees wore the cloaks and walked around with authority. Their externals were men of God, when in their hearts and in their homes they had nothing to do with God.
Their life style labeled them as hypocrites. Does that make sense? They lead a very secret life of no God but saying they love God.
Understand?
This is to clear it up, I don't expect people to stop calling me a hypocrite because people will continue to be ignorant, but I am letting the world know.
Loving it! You go girl :)
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