22/11/2020「Sunday Message」 www.lifechurchmissions.com
The Truth about Hypocrisy and Authenticity <Ro 8:12-15; Eph 4:20-24; Jas 4:17>
We all hate hypocritical and "fake" people. Jesus also often rebuked hypocrites. But it seems that more and more believers continue to live a carnal life and do not pursue holiness under the pretext of "not wanting to be hypocrites". They think that since they are not spiritual within, they don't need to pretend they are, or they will become hypocrites that God dislikes. But it is likely that they lowered their level of Christianity because they could not do it or did not want to obey. What is the opposite of hypocrisy? It is to be authentic. Therefore, nowadays, we hear more and more believers say, "We Christians are sinners, so even if we reveal our true side, reveal our sins, weaknesses, etc., it doesn’t matter. We should not be accused or embarrassed because of this." Furthermore, some believers also say that because many non-believers often think that Christians are too spiritual and too unauthentic ("hypocritical") that they are turned off by Christians. Therefore, in order to resonate with non-believers, some Christians love to show their true struggle, whether it is their desire to sin or to love the world, in order to win over non-believers. In fact, when facing their real sinful nature and the holiness that God has commanded, Christians usually wander between two extremes: one is to obey God’s orders very legalistically, and the result is either too self-righteous or too accused. They themselves also do not enjoy it in the process because what they do is not in line with their true intentions. The other extreme is to simply give up the pursuit of holiness, and then say that one must be honest with oneself and cannot be hypocritical. If you are not so spiritual, don't pretend you are, just live out your true self, and in doing so, you use your weakness and sin to demonstrate God's grace and power. Think about it, between "forcing yourself to obey God" and "being honest with yourself and don't be hypocritical ", which is more correct? What should we do between these two?
1. The danger of over-exalting your "true self"
1）The "true self" of sinners is depraved
The Bible tells us, "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die" our "old self is gradually deteriorating because of the delusion of selfish desires." We all know that our own feelings are not necessarily reliable, and the human heart is also extremely deceitful. Therefore, "living out the true self" ("true old self") is not in line with God's desire. It's like no one would say to a person who is not down to earth but also lazy, "You just have to live out yourself." In this case, he will only indulge his laziness, and his laziness will eventually lead to his failure. But some people may think, "I don't have any serious sin or unhealthy desires. There is nothing wrong with me living out myself." But the truth is that we are all sinners and our "self" is depraved. Christianity teaches us to deny ourselves, not to live out ourselves (old self).
2）If not careful, exalting "true self" becomes exalting sin.
Some people even consider "being honest with themselves" to be more important than "being holy." Such a person will gradually stop regarding sin as a matter of concern but instead think that it is alright as long as they don't pretend to be holy. Therefore, they regard "the self having no pretense" as a greater virtue than "holiness". In <Jas 5:16>, the Bible also tells us to confess our sins to each other, that is, to be honest with each other about our true self. But we need to be clear of the reason why we should be authentic. After some people openly disclose their weaknesses, they just ask others to understand them, but they have no intention of correcting or turning away from sin. Some people even feel that it is easier to let it out, no longer needing to hide, and there is no guilt from needing to cover up. But we believers do not open ourselves up to merely receive empathy, acceptance or even connivance from others. The purpose of the Bible telling us to confess our sins to each other is to bring us to repentance and turn away from sin. When a believer reveals his true sin and weakness, he should be prepared to accept correction, repent and turn toward God. Let us not confuse "authenticity" with "repentance." Those who speak out honestly about their sins are not always willing to repent. Some people exalt "authenticity" but despise "repentance." In fact, which does God prefer? What good is it if there is only authenticity but no repentance? Will it please God?
3）What then is hypocrisy?
Usually, people think that hypocrisy is: Life and actions not aligned with one's true feelings.
But in fact, a greater hypocrisy is: Life and actions not aligned with one's true beliefs.
If we claim that we believe in the Lord yet do not live according to His word and holiness, but instead, live by our old self and true feelings, that then is hypocrisy. But on the contrary, regardless of how one feels, if a person lives by what he believes in, that is not hypocrisy, but maturity and being upright to God. Sometimes, when we want to deal with our "old self" and try to live out our "new self", perhaps we ourselves or people around us may accuse us, saying we are hypocrites: clearly do not love others, yet force ourselves to love; do not love holiness yet try to lead a holy life reluctantly; obviously displeased with someone yet try hard not to lose our temper, etc. In the end, because we do not wish to be labeled as "hypocrites", we lose the heart to be sanctified or to deal with our flesh. However, we must understand, when a believer wants to shake off his old self and live out the new life in Christ, there is surely a transitional phase. During then, the Holy Spirit inside him will compel him to do certain things which his sinful nature may resist. At that moment, he may do certain good works which his flesh is unwilling to do, but that is not hypocrisy, but an essential battle in the course of sanctification. In fact, what is important is still the motives in our hearts. If we pretend to have a lovely outward behaviour in order to earn people's praises or earn personal gains, but not because we are doing good so as to obey and glorify God, then that is hypocrisy. However, if we know that our flesh is sinful and we are willing to resist our sinful nature and be aligned with God's heart, then that is pleasing to God. Some people say that if they feel that they are not spiritual enough, they cannot get through their conscience to say or do certain right or holy things. Think about it, what is it that will really prick our conscience more? Is it knowing something is right yet just because our inner heart cannot agree with the good deed, so we do not carry out the good work? Or even if we know we are not good enough inside, but since we know something is pleasing to God, so we still obey first, then battle with our own heart after that? Which one can make us answer better to the Lord? <Jas 4:17>: If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. There is no mention of feelings in this verse, only knowledge (belief) of what is considered as good. Thus, what then is hypocrisy? That is, knowing what is right yet do not do it, but instead, allow one's feelings to lead him and place feelings above the word of God.
4）"Being true to self" cannot be an excuse to escape sanctification
Think about it, if a person uses "I want to be who I am" as an excuse, what exactly is he trying to cover up? Perhaps he still has a hidden love for the world in his life. If not, he knows what he has to do but is lazy to change or struggle, so he hides behind the name of "not being a hypocrite". Therefore, we must not be fooled by our hearts. Although "not being a hypocrite" is the teaching of Jesus (if a person sincerely pure in his heart and is not hypocritical, that is also right); we still have to examine ourselves, whether we really don’t want to be hypocritical, or whether we are more hypocritical by using this as an excuse to cover up our love for the world or our laziness in the pursuit of holiness. We cannot live a compromised Christian faith "for the sake being true"; and we should not regard "being honest with ourselves" to be more important than "sanctification".
2) Battle between “authentic self” and “sanctification”
1) What should we do if we really have no conviction?
This concerns “our true convictions”, “what is right” and “our duties”. Think about his, do we wait for conviction to pray, read bible, go to church, share gospel, care of others, do good, etc, or should we obey God regardless of our feelings? Is our heart (and emotions, feelings) greater or God’s instructions? Do we worship (surrender to) our heart or God? We must understand, submission is not something we can always do joyfully. In obedience to God, Jesus went to the cross, but he had a heavy heart and even pleaded for the Father to take the cup away, if He is willing; His submission is not without struggle. Paul is the same, serving the Lord with all his strength, but in his ministry, he faced struggles, confusions, sorrows. Therefore, we must not always wait to be comfortable, convicted and without struggle to come and obey God. Furthermore, as sinners, our feelings are fallen and unreliable. However, the Truth and its principles are unchanging. A person who truly know God’s Truth and principles is not someone who obeys today when he is in good mood, and disobey the next day when his is a bad mood; he is someone who resolves to obey, and then carry it out.
2) Therefore, although we do not feel like it, we must still do the right things first
C.S Lewis once said, “do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor; act as if you did.” When some people hear this quote, they may think it is fake and hypocritical to have no love but still display acts of love. Actually, the difference between this and true hypocrisy is in the attitude. A hypocritical person does good works so that others may think that he is a good person, thereby bringing glory to himself. However, if a person knows that loving others is what God has commanded and is pleased with, then even though he does not feel the love, he does acts of love to the other person, in faith and out of obedience to God, this is pleasing to God.
To love first in faith is to anticipate that God will one day change his heart, as he is doing, so that his heart can eventually match his works. Since as sinners, our heart and feelings are fallen, we must train our heart to be aligned to the good works God desires, and not refrain from good works just because our heart does not match the good works. In other words, we must use the right actions to “nurture” our fallen hearts to restore the right emotions. Therefore, do not let our feeling determine whether or not to obey God’s commandments. We must first obey God, and then allow God to transform our hearts in the process.
3) Do not be focused on our own weakness, but fix our eyes on the glorious image of Christ
When a believer is over-focused on his authentic self, the state he will end up in is hopeless and pessimistic, because he will be talking about man’s weaknesses, helplessness, sins that one cannot overcome, sorrows that does not depart, inferiority, etc. Perhaps, such a genuine side will enable us to have rapport with other sinners (including non-believers) because everyone has weaknesses and when they see the weakness of others, they can gain a little comfort. However, if this persists for a long time, everyone will enter into a negativity and depression, and no one can truly grow or have breakthroughs. Therefore, rather than focusing on our own weakness and the ugliness of sin, we must set our eyes on the glorious image of Christ, and advance in that direction and purpose, and not be stuck in own weaknesses. It is through this we can experience God’s greater grace and power. We must not keep thinking about what we cannot do, but to think more about what God can do. He can save us, and He can surely sanctify us.
3. God wants us to live out “authentic self”, which is the new creation in Christ
The “authentic self” we should live out should be the God’s original creation of the perfect man and the new life In Christ. We cannot find our “authentic self” outside of the identity and purpose that God has given us.
1) Only when we rely on Jesus, we can live out the “new self” that is pleasing to God.
Whether it is “legalistically obeying God’s commandments without a true heart”; or “not striving to obey God unless truly convicted”, it is not right to be inclined to either side. However, the Holy Spirit will cause us to take God’s word (commandments) seriously, and help us to receive a new heart and blessed conviction. Holy Spirit will cause us to become “new self”; “ created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. <Ph 4:24>. When we are convicted by the Holy Spirit, naturally we will not feel forced to obey God and commandments, because God’s commandments is also what we desire in our hearts. Actually, the power of the gospel is to give us strength to resist our flesh, so that we do not live by it, by live by the Spirit.
2) It also requires man’s partnership and effort
Although the Holy Spirit is helping us, we must also put in effort to cultivate the new disposition, new heart of the new self, so that this new life can become our primary disposition. After all, we have been living in the models, thinking, desires and methods of the old self for a long time. If we do not train the disposition of the new self, how can we enable the new self to successfully replace the old self?