Has hypocrisy in the Evangelical community increased in the
last few decades, or does it just seem that way because of a ‘real time’ media
ever ready to pounce on our shame? Not surprisingly, young evangelicals have
embraced authenticity as a core value.
What does it mean to be
authentic? To be honest about your weaknesses. But we know that sharing 'honest' feelings is a subjective reality, and not always positive (Phil. 2:14); and Paul said, “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so
that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Eph. 4:29).
Where's the balance? While honesty is an essential element of our intimacy, subjective human experience must always occupy an inferior position to objective truth which transcends experience. Honestly, “apart from Christ, I can do nothing; there is nothing good in me” (Jn. 15:5; Ro. 7:18). Objectively, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). And that's the honest to God truth!
Whenever Christians express disapproval of something the
Bible calls a sin, they will be reprimanded with the favorite words of those who are otherwise ignorant of the Bible: “Judge not” (Matt.
7:1).
According to Jesus, it is not judging, but judgmentalism that
is wrong. Opposed to a judgmentalism stemming from a sense of moral
superiority, Jesus said, “First
remove the beam from your own eye; then you can see clearly to remove the
speck from your brother’s eye.” In other words, don’t be hypocritical; judge
yourself first.
Judgmentalism is
wrong, but moral judgments are not (the Bible is replete with them). For Biblically-centered believers, explaining what the Bible calls 'sin' is part of the job description, especially given the degree of biblical
illiteracy and moral ambiguity in our secular culture. So the next time you are accused
of violating the “judge not” rule, turn it into a teaching moment, explaining the difference. But, don't forget to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).
In the last century, “fundamentalism” was born out of the controversy over the inerrancy of the Bible. Fundamentalism was perceived as narrow-minded and judgmental. In the last two decades, conservative churches have distanced themselves from fundamentalism. For example, most conservative Baptist churches have abandoned the name ‘Baptist’ for more neutral sounding names, like “Fellowship” or “Community.” One San Jose church names itself after the local mall.
In our culture of political correctness and conflict avoidance, anyone who embraces the inerrancy of Scripture and its claims to exclusivity is perceived as judgmental. But then wouldn't Jesus have to be called judgmental for exposing sin and hypocrisy, calling for repentance, warning of false teachers? How do we comply with Jesus' command to “judge not”? (Matt 7:1)
Well, Jesus also said, “Judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). The Greek word for judge meaning, “to call into question.” As Biblical people, we must question all things in relation to truth, judging false teachers and their false doctrine, and when necessary, “rebuking them sharply” (Titus 1:13). If we succumb to political correctness, the truth will suffer. May it not be said, as it was in Isaiah's day, "truth has stumbled in the streets" (59:14).
As a training specialist with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, I conducted a course for managers called “Dealing with Difficult People.” It was always well-attended! As you know, it's not just a workplace problem—all relationships can be hard at some time.
The workplace training put emphasis on the “difficult person" and very little on the manager’s attitude or feelings toward that person. Why? because it’s easier to focus on someone else’s problems than to take responsibility for your own. Jesus (who dealt with lots of difficult people) confronted that attitude when He said: “why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, `Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye. (Lk. 6:41-42 NLT).
Before you can even begin ‘dealing’ with a person who may be difficult for you, you must ask God WHY He put the person in your life. Don’t presume God has engaged you to be His “agent of change” for that person. It may be God has employed that person to be His “agent of change” for you! Through your negative reaction to that person, God is revealing your need for change—for “heart surgery”—to fashion in you a heart of love, compassion, kindness, and forbearance (Col. 3:10-12).
As you cultivate God’s perspective (seeing through His eyes) He will guard you from a critical spirit. When you look at yourself first (Gal 6:2) and on what God is doing in your heart, the more humbly you will approach the weaknesses of others. Only then are you qualified to be God’s “agent of change.”
