Don't Be a Hypocrite (Gal. 2:11-14)

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?
(Galatians 2:11-14, NASB)

Hypocrisy.

For generations, one of the biggest obstacles to people finding faith in Christ is the hypocrisy of Christians.

For too long, unbelievers have been able to point to church leaders and deny the truth of the gospel because of those leaders’ behavior. Sexual sin, financial corruption, arrogance, anger.

So many people saying one thing and doing the complete opposite. No wonder people are turned off by the church. And it’s certainly not just in our generation. Even in the early church, some of the greatest leaders behaved contrary to what they taught.

So what are we to do? How can we attract rather than repel?

First, we need to look at our own hearts and behaviors. How are we living God’s word? Are we both talking the talk and walking the walk?

Second, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to work in those areas of hypocrisy. What are we doing that goes against God’s truth?

Finally, we need to acknowledge we’re flawed—the world has had enough of “holier than thous.” We are sinful creatures forgiven by our Sovereign Lord. He has changed us from the inside out. And we need to live accordingly.

Don’t be the one others can point to as a hypocrite. Speak and do God’s will, and let Him work through you.