Hypocrites

Hypocrites were almost my downfall. I hated them. I didn’t want to go to church because they were there.

But, I did read my Bible at home and it was there that I saw the word hypocrite in a different light. I saw it divided into two parts. Hypo –crite or "Hyper – critical"

People who are hyper-active are super active. People who are hyper – critical are super critical. They are simply hyper-crites or as you know them, "Hypocrites".

I had become super critical of religious people who seemed overly condemning toward people with flaws and weaknesses in their lives.

At that time, I was a smoking, drinking, cussing convert. I was on my way toward God and His plan for my life. But, impatient Christians wanted me to change my lifestyle in 3 days, 3 hours and 33 minutes. I couldn’t.

Well, when I realized I was was becoming super critical toward hypocrites, I knew I was becoming like them. I didn’t like that. I didn’t want that.

I found a way to get past them, in fact, lots of ways. Later, I’m going to show you how I did it and I’m going to ask you to experiment with the principles I used. But, not yet.

First, I’m going in for a slam-dunk, 2- pointer against them. I’m going to rattle their cage and pull their chain. I’m going to challenge them to step through the doorway of right living FIRST, so there will be room for you to get through.

But, if I’m going to do this for you, I only ask one thing in return. Would you be a little lenient toward me when you smell ‘a rat in my soup’ - you know – little mistakes and flaws in my writing and thinking. It has to happen, because I ain’t tryin’ to be perfect. I’m just trying to get a job done.

Welcome to the wonderful world of religion. Let's go meet some of these people who say they are destined to wear a bright and shining crown - forever and ever.

Sir, your own Bible says: "In the Beginning, God created…." The very first description of God tells us something about His nature and character. He is creative He is the originator of all creativity! We know that Godly people are those who have taken on some of the characteristics of God.

Did the Bible say, "In the beginning, God condemned…." Yet, how many of us fall so readily into that category?

Did we get our condemning nature from this God who made us or from the Jesus who showed us what He is like? Jesus said, When you have seen me, you have seen the Father!"

Yet, scripture declares, "Jesus came not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."¹ This same Jesus said, "Come, take up your cross and follow me."² So, if you are a condemning Christian, is it because you are following Jesus? If so, will you please explain?

If you want people to become better people, should they become more like you? Does that mean they should become more condemning?

Which of the ten commandments must we obey if we want to become a condemning person?

If you think you have a greater measure of the Holy Spirit than other Christians have, is it because one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is condemnation? Is that a by-product of getting close to God?

When scripture says, "The Holy Spirit will lead and guide you into all truth."³ Does that mean He will lead you into condemnation and guide you into putting people down? Hey! I'm just asking. The truth is supposed to set me free, so I'm seeking for some truth. I really want to be free.

So, do you think I'm going to condemn you for condemning others? No way! It is not for me to tell you how to live your life. You are free to condemn me for any words which I speak or write. You can do that which you will with that which is your own. It's your life. Do as you please with it!

But, for just a moment, I'm on the side of all those people who can't find 'the door' to life, because someone is standing in front of it, pointing the finger and making accusations.

The Holy Bible declares that satan is 'the accuser of the brethren'.⁴ So, if we are always making accusations against others - who is really Lord in our life?

If satan is the district attorney of hell, sent to make accusation against people, why are we on his side, testifying against the poor souls he wants to drag away with him? Is it because we want to be his witnesses? Do we want to strengthen the devil's case against someone so they can be condemned and sentenced to everlasting punishment?

Many Christians often quote a scripture from the book of Acts which says, "You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto Me."⁵ Here we have the greatest defense attorney of all time, Jesus Christ. He not only went to bat for His clients, but He consented to take their place, to be punished for them and to even die for their sins. And many of His followers are over in the camp of His enemy, testifying against the people that He died for! What a marvelous Gospel! That's truly good news. And all the world said, "Send us more disciples like that. We desperately want to be condemned. Please accuse us again and again". If Christians are "Little Christs, then let the world cry out to you, "Please despise us like Jesus does. Obey your Master, and pass sentence on us. Please, please, make the condemning Jesus Lord of your life, so that we also may follow your example and condemn many."

Okay, okay, I'll let up on you a bit. But, I sure did drive that nail home, didn't I? Do you think you can take anymore? Should I lighten up on you? Why? Give me one good reason.

Jesus said, "With what measure you measure out, it shall be measured unto you!" ⁶

Have you ever used scripture to prove someone else wrong? Have you ever used the Word of God to convince someone of their sinfulness? Have you ever pushed the point home? So, why shouldn't you get some of it back? If you are going to dole out the medicine, shouldn't you be willing to swig down a healthy dose or two yourself?

The sword works two ways you know. The Bible itself says, "The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword."⁷ You cut with it and it will cut you back.

Oh well, "What's good for the goose, is good for the gander." Or should we say, "What goes around - comes around."

When it comes to the Boomerang principle, we must remember, "Don't throw condemnation at others if you don't want to be condemned."

Jesus said: "Give and it shall be given unto you, heaped up, shaken down, pressed together and running over."⁸ That's a wonderful promise if your giving happens to be something good. But, when you give out accusations and condemnation - guess what - it will land back in your lap every time. It will come back to you seven different ways and in multiplied forms.

Doesn't your own Bible say: "There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION, to those who are in Christ Jesus."⁹ That means there is no self-condemnation and no condemnation of others. So, if you are a condemning person, does that mean you are not 'in Christ' and therefore 'none of His'??? I’m just asking.

Shucks! Why don't we just ignore that kind of scripture or twist it to mean something else. After all, God doesn't expect us to condone wrong doing, so He must expect us to condemn those who do wrong. Right?

Well, have it your way. But, just remember - the 1^st psalm commands a blessing on those who 'stand not in the way of sinners'. Jesus talked to certain people and said, "You stand in the doorway keeping people out of the kingdom and you won't go in yourselves." ¹⁰ He didn't condemn them, but He did warn them about the coming judgment and the suffering which would someday be theirs.

Another scripture says: "Don't let the lame be turned out of the way, but rather, let them be healed."¹¹ Wouldn't it be better to have a 'creative word' which would bring healing to a person who is morally weak - rather than to condemn them for being as they are?

Jesus is that 'Creative Word'. If we truly had more of Him in our lives, we would bring hope and help to people instead of putting them down. Scripture says: "The goodness of God leads men to repentance. If you want people to change, maybe you ought to be ‘nicer’ to them. If we were more creative than condemning, maybe we could create a hunger and thirst in them, so that they would want to drink from our bucket and eat at our table.

But, the fact remains, religious people are often the greatest stumbling blocks to people who need help the most.

And, if we really can’t help them, we don't need to condemn ourselves either. We just need to get out of their way and let God figure out a way to help His own creation. After all, if we didn't create them, we have no right to condemn them? Let their maker be responsible for them.

When Jesus saw a man who was blind from birth, He didn't say, "Your father had a venereal disease and that's why you are like you are?" He simply healed the man and re-created perfect sight for him

When Jesus came to a funeral procession, he didn't tell the grieving mother that it was her sins that caused her son’s death. He just raised the kid to life again.

He didn't go around trying to place blame for sickness and disease. He merely felt great compassion for those who were suffering and healed them with the creative power of God. He didn't care why they were sick or deformed, He just wanted them to be well and did what He could to make sure it happened.

Ahh, let’s go back to that 5^th word in the Bible - a very powerful word - CREATED!

The Psalmist cried out, "Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me."¹² You don't have to have a clean mind or strong character to start with. You just need to believe that He is the Creator, He can create new strengths and abilities within you. He can give you what you don't have. He can change your personality and the effects of your past.

Even if all of His followers can’t heal you or help you, simply seek to touch Him personally and He will do what He has always done for people – heal, save, deliver and help.

But, He won’t do any of that without your permission. If I can't go through the back door of your house without your consent or change the oil on your car without your permission - would it be right for God to create anything in you if you don't want Him to?

Then, maybe you ought to at least give Him an invitation to try. You need to do something to let Him know you want something more than what you have right now and you want to become something more than you have been in the past.

If He really exists and really does possess creative powers, it would be a shame not to tap into that gold mine of power.

And it would be a shame not to introduce someone else to that kind of a God, just because we have some strong inclinations to criticize, judge and condemn.

If we let God work on us first, maybe He would let us work with Him in trying to help others. He who created the sand, might just let us carry the bucket and shovel while He delivers "His stuff" to the children for whom He died.

Well, there are many ways to be creative. I encourage you to check out a few more of them from time to time. Improve your artistic talent, practice your music lessons, and cultivate creative solutions to everyday problems.

Quit being negative. Think of some positive strategy which would improve a relationship. Ask God to give you an inventive mindset and creative inclinations. Search for seven new ways to do an ordinary task. Take a different route to work tomorrow. Come back home by another way also. Experiment with 'different'. Add rich colors to your life. Color tends to heighten creative tendencies. Variety does the same thing.

Don't be so hum-drum. Step out of the rut and live on a higher level of life. Practice optimism….even when you don't feel optimistic. Keep practicing and it will soon be genuine. Stir up a little 'self-made enthusiasm' just to break the gloomy spell of melancholy thoughts that pull you down. Sing when you least feel like singing. Laugh right in the middle of a terrible ordeal. Let your laughter break the tension and open the way to think of new solutions to old problems.

There is a better way to live life. Search for it. Keep on searching until you find it. Tap into your greatest potential - by breaking past those mental barriers which have been like prison bars to you. Grab hold of hope and turn it into faith. Let confidence and courage guide your every waking thought. Allow creativity to become your middle name.