Being a Hypocrite and Double-Minded Man

[kittylover0991]

This is a subject that seems to be brougth up a lot in church services and in the chat. The subject of Christians being hypocrites. It is even brought up a lot by the world.. if not more.

I remember a few years ago when I first joined the teen group, my youth pastor(who is now a missionary) preached on being a double- minded man.. about how we can't serve to masters. He talked about putting on that mask, that disguise when you go to church to hide who you really are the inside. The Lord spoke to my heart that night, and he has been working with me since on this issue. However, I hear a lot of people that act a certain way at church.. they learn to walk the walk in the church and talk the talk.. but their heart isn't changed. When they are home or outside of church, they act just like the world. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that all Christians are like this.

Why is it so easy to be someone different at church then who you are once you walk outside those church doors?

[godslilpromise]

If I had the answer to that I would have the answer to all my problems.

[darkest_red]

This is a subject that seems to be brougth up a lot in church services and in the chat. The subject of Christians being hypocrites. It is even brought up a lot by the world.. if not more.

I remember a few years ago when I first joined the teen group, my youth pastor(who is now a missionary) preached on being a double- minded man.. about how we can't serve to masters. He talked about putting on that mask, that disguise when you go to church to hide who you really are the inside.

[NITE OWL]

A lot of people think that by simply going to church they have earned the right to the kingdom. One good example of this is the twin towers. Church attendance skyrocketed in the days right after 9-11. But as the days passed, all but a few crawled back into the shadows of the world.

Another reason is that people are ashamed. They say they believe but are afraid of how the world will see them so they conform to their surroundings.

[kittylover0991]

Why is it so easy to be a hypocrite at church.. i mean.. putting on a mask when you go to church.. hiding that you act like the world everywhere outside the church doors....

I mean... you act like the world .. well, like you always act... and then once you get to church.. you put on the nice dress or suit(female or male)... you pick up the bible that has been collecting dust since it was put on the shelf last sunday... you put on the Christian happy go lucky smiles, say "Hello Brother, Good to see you.. yes the Lord is good".

Why it is so easy to be like that?

[Guest iamsoblessed]

thats what caused me to be so discouraged years ago..so i stopped going after checking out many denominations..i have found the church of my dreams the religion of my dreams..i am happy to say that i live the aposoltlic penecost life and we have a close nit congregation who take it very seriously..we have high standards that we live by inside and outside the church..some people would feel that they are giving up things but i have gotten back much more than i have given up..you know who we are when you see us by the modest way we dress..the length of hair and no makeup or jewlery..we obstain from most tv..we are out in the community serving all the time..it is a way of life..no toxicity entering our mind..no dusty bibles and the friendliness is awesome..we are outside our walls giving and giving and giving..we are very agressive in reaching people that nobody wants..there is no hypocrisy that ive seen...ive been blessed...so eberyone..the church of you dreams is out there..dont settle until you find it...

[kittylover0991]

My first reaction is you think I am going to a church full of hypocrites

At my church, i see the same thing. Almost everybody that i know is like that, they care about living for the Lord inside and outside of church. (by the way, i go to a baptist church ) but um.. I was just asking that becuase about a week or two ago at teen VBS, there were many messages preached.. and the one that touched me the most was entitled "Who Are You in the Dark"... he said many times how easy it can be to put on a show at church... and they went onto about accountability.. but that is a different story.

My point is, i want to know WHY it is so easy(I am talking about mostly when you are a new christian) to be a hypocrite)

[Guest iamsoblessed]

we have had sermons about this at my church as well...some people just dont think they need to take it outside the walls...ive seen other religions interact with each other at ballgames..dinner parties etc.. and ive seen cursing..drinking..flirting..i know of spousal abuse..i dont get it eaither....i dont want to be near it..hear it see it...its not taking things seriously..its putting up a front..

[Guest Thomas I believe]

This is a subject that seems to be brougth up a lot in church services and in the chat. The subject of Christians being hypocrites. It is even brought up a lot by the world.. if not more.

I remember a few years ago when I first joined the teen group, my youth pastor(who is now a missionary) preached on being a double- minded man.. about how we can't serve to masters. He talked about putting on that mask, that disguise when you go to church to hide who you really are the inside.  The Lord spoke to my heart that night, and he has been working with me since on this issue. However, I hear a lot of people that act a certain way at church.. they learn to walk the walk in the church and talk the talk.. but their heart isn't changed.  When they are home or outside of church, they act just like the world. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that all Christians are like this.

Why is it so easy to be someone different at church then who you are once you walk outside those church doors?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The flesh is strong and it will consume us if we let it. There are somedays i dont walk right but I have Jesus to remind me gently and sometimes He busts me to my knees and I thank Him for that. Once we know the Lord it is hard to stay in sin. For me the guilt eats me apart..

[Gerioke]

Worldly people think being a christian means you have to be perfect. That is probably why a lot of new christians fall away so frequently. When they stumble they feel that there is no hope for them so they may as well keep living in sin. I struggled with this many times.

A lot of "Christians put on their church face every Sunday too so they can go around patting everybody on the back for being such a good christian. I wonder how many church members live life in unrepented sin.