|
Psalm 51:6 "Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being" (NAS)
How Hypocrisy Clashes With Truth
Dear all,
I guess you have read about the scandal about the pastor in Colorado and
the hypocrisy that was exposed. It's a good time to go read Matthew 23,
where Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the
Law.
Truth is more important than supporting one's cause, such as making oneself look better in other people's eyes. And only a cause that can be supported by truth is worth fighting for.
But many people think truth does not matter as long as
their cause is supported. They are wrong, and in the end their own lies will destroy them. Jesus in essence says this very thing in his 7 woes in Matthew 23.
Propaganda can blind men's eyes for a while, but God does not let it continue indefinitely.
The truth will come out.
Hypocrites may have their way with people for a while, but in the end, they should embrace truth, because all their lies will not last.
That is the way of the world, because it is God's world, and in Him there is no lie.
- Joel Linton
(NOTE: I adapted some comments on truth I made in a 2004 Taipei Times letter to the editor.)
|
|
|
Responses regarding Thoughts on Hypocrisy
|
I don't know that we should be too surprised. We have had the PTL and others caught similarly. Yes there is hypocrisy but we are fallen people and we all fall into that trap now and then. It does NOT excuse it. But it is a warning to us that it could happen to us. I suspect it is a bit like the frog in the kettle. We allow some small thing that seems innocuous, then another and soon we do not see the problem because we are so good at lying to ourselves and rationalizing. It will often hit us in an area that we think we could never sin in.
- JR
Hi, Joel, I agree with your response concerning Ted Haggard as far as you go, but there is more. I do not know Haggard personally, but I do work personally with members of his staff in Washington DC., in his position (now resigned) as President of the National Association of Evangelicals. The tragedy here is not that Haggard set out to deceive the world and got caught. The tragedy is that Ted Haggard had a secret that he refused to face, that he tried to bury, that he thought could be kept out of sight. That secret at one level pushed him to be the best preacher and pastor that he could be, but it also ate away at his soul. And in the world of American Evangelical individualism, he managed to survive all these years. So the bigger tragedy is that we as American Christians still resist penetrating personal oversight of our inner lives by the brethren, and as long as we operate without personal accountability, Ted Haggards will continue to rise and fall.
For the Kingdom,
-BD
I feel bad about Pastor Haggard and my love & prayers
go out to him and his family.
- JB
Dear Joel,
I, too, have heard about this man and the deception and lies, but I am not surprised by this. You are right in saying that the truth will come out. That's what Jesus said in the Bible--that what is hidden will be revealed and exposed to the light. But through this situation I AM ENCOURAGED. God is dealing with the hidden areas of our lives that need to be dealt with, although ours may not be so much in the public eye. Ours is just as ugly and just as hypocritical [in different areas].
I am reminded of the scripture:
|
Galatians 6 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load. 6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (NIV)
|
I believe that as the end of the times gets closer we will see more and more sin in the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters revealed. I feel that our job is not to condemn them, and I believe that is not your intent, but to restore them, love and encourage them. After all, I think that this is how Jesus has dealt with us already.
Sincerely,
Karen
--------------
Dear Karen,
I agree that we must try to restore our brothers. To do that, we must condemn the sin if we have any hope of restoring the sinner. And there also must be consequences to the sin. We have the example of the sexual sin that was in the Corinthian church -- 1 Corinthians 5 -- and the consequences that the Apostle Paul imposes -- and then probably even can see this man's restoration -- 2 Corinthians 2:5.
Another thing to notice about the New Testament churches is that there is nothing new under the sun. Ever since Jesus came the first time, between then and when he comes again, we will see some of the shepherds of God's flock, some the elders, to turn out to be hypocrites and worse, possibly wolves in sheep's clothing -- Acts 20:29-30
Please keep praying for your shepherds that they will not fall into traps of the devil. We elders need your prayers. - Joel
|
Some responses of Taiwanese thinking about their own nation's political leaders
|
Dear pastor Joel:
Thank you for sharing your insight from the Scripture. May God continue to bless you as you serve Him in Taiwan where the truth is hidden mostly in its larger wicked world. We pray for your dedicated ministry. Only the truth may save Taiwan from the current turmoil. May God bless you and Judy and your family.
ET
Dear Pastor Joel & Judy:
Our prayer team [is] praying for your ministry in Taiwan every Monday evening at Church. Thanks God to help you to have a great vision to SAVE Many Souls in Taiwan.... Look at the most corrupt politicians have been control the Legistrative Yuan in Taiwan, we are so sick & tiring to see their corrupt actions to destroy the Great Democratic Order which that Taiwanese have been hard to get for many years. Do they really love Taiwan. We don't think so.!! They tried many ways to destroyed the Democratic System & planning to betray Taiwan to "No-God Communist China " in corrupt ways? We do thanks God called you to stay in Taiwan for Church's planting. How God save your beloved wife Judy many years ago from unexpected life & death experienced , now she too work very hard for the salvation for Taiwanese in all your every effort. It is so amazing & Thanks God for that!
Love In Christ,
D&SChen
|
|
|
|