Wired.com had a “Green” eco-friendly article up the other day entitled, American Consumers Not As Enlightened As You Think. Although the article reported survey results and expert opinions regarding the automobile purchases of American consumers, I think the first two paragraphs capture the heart of the article nicely.

Hybrids? Pfft. Clean diesel? Who cares. Americans want cars with iPod integration, photochromic glass and capless fueling systems – whatever the hell those are.

Give people a choice between a fuel-sipper with a map in the glove box and a gas guzzler with in-dash navigation and most of them are going home in the car that tells them how to get there, according to a “snapshot” survey by MyRide.com.

The great thing about this article is that it’s true! Although the mainstream media purports that Americans are converting to “green lifestyles” and leaving behind their misguided fossil fuel habits, their purchasing decisions show the contrary.

As I read through it I thought, “are we Christians any different than the people surveyed about their car buying philosophies?” Do we make a verbal stand for the “green” (save the people) Christianity but actually buy into the gas-guzzling, tech-savvy world?

Do we say one thing but do another?

I hope not, but let’s make sure.

The Oxford American Dictionary defines hypocrite as a person who indulges in hypocrisy, which is the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform.

I love how the dictionary uses the word indulges to describe the person’s act of participating in hypocrisy. It’s as though hypocrisy is a treat or something to be desired. However, to be fair, I had a friend tell me that some people actually do like to pretend to be somebody/something they’re not; so maybe hypocrisy is an indulgence for them.

The English word hypocrite comes from the Greek word hypokritas which means actor. So at its root, a hypocrite is somebody who acts, puts on a show, and is not real or genuine. Let’s put this definition of hypocrisy at the forefront of our minds as we ask ourselves some questions regarding the following areas.

Are we hypocrites in the way we help the needy?

Matthew 6:2
So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

It’s a command of Jesus that we are to help those less fortunate then ourselves. And this passage implies that we are already giving to the needy. So how are we doing? Do we find ourselves giving more lip-service to the needy than actual service? And when we give, do we do it in a private way that honors God and maintains the dignity of the needy person, or do we put on a public show for all to see?

Are we hypocrites in the way we communicate with God?

Matthew 6:5
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Are we prayer-warriors when around other Christians, our friends or church leaders but prayer-illiterate or prayer-deficient when we’re by ourselves? Do we change our speech, tone, volume and the way we pronounce certain “Christianese” words (“God” = “Gawd”) depending on who we’re praying with? My recommendation – be yourself. God knows what you sound like when you pray with a genuine heart, so you might as well sound the same when praying around others.

Are we hypocrites in the way we draw close to God?

Matthew 6:16
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

How do we draw close to God? In this passage Jesus gave the example of fasting, but let’s not forget about our times of Bible reading, prayer (mentioned above) and worship as well? Do we climb into our “prayer closets” or do we march ourselves down to the front of the sanctuary/auditorium in front of everybody during the worship service? Please understand my heart in this; there are definitely times when the proper response to God is definitely on our faces around the alter. But the best response should always be one that draws us closer to God instead of drawing attention to ourselves.

Are we hypocrites in the way we help other believers with their problems?

Matthew 7:4-5
4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Do we have a self-righteous air about ourselves when attempting to help others with their problems? Let’s not pretend that we don’t have any problems of our own when we go to help our fellow Christian with a problem they’ve been struggling with. There’s a good chance, in fact, that many people already know you’ve been secretly struggling with that same problem. We’re all sinful humans and pretending that any of us is perfect is a sure way to set ourselves up for failure. Instead, find the most mature and genuine Christian friend or leader you know (one that you can really trust) and ask them to be brutally honest with you. Allow them to point out the “planks in your own eyes” and then pray together on a regular basis. Through this kind of friendship accountability you will see your life change.

Are we hypocrites in the way we lead people to the Lord and disciple them?

Matthew 23:13
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

Matthew 23:15
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

Although we may not be physically closing Heaven’s door on somebody or intentionally turning them off to Jesus while they’re being discipled, are our indirect actions and speech lining up with the salvation message we speak? Are we causing stumbling blocks for people because our casual day-to-day life doesn’t match up with our “Sunday service” and “midweek service” life?

“Walk the walk if you’re going to talk the talk” is a cliche saying but it’s appropriate here. Even if you don’t see them, there are people observing the way you live. They listen to what you say when you’re talking with your close friends, family, coworkers and bosses. They watch how you act when you’re at work, at your desk, out in the shop, on a break, at home and even how you handle road rage. They want to see if you’re real! They want to see if you are who you say you are, no matter who you’re around or what circumstances you’re in?

What other areas in our lives are we putting on shows? Do we feel like we need to wear actor’s masks around certain people because we just can’t let them know how we really are?

What Jesus taught was counter-cultural, definitly. So did his life consistently matchup with what he taught? YES! It’s not like after sharing his teachings on the Mount of Olives that he went back home, took off his “Messiah mask” and said “boy they really bought that, hook, line, and sinker.” NO! Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). What about us, his followers?

If we can’t be real, honest, genuine, and transparent with people, then how are we supposed to show them the way to Jesus?

Got hypocrisy? Hopefully not!