Tag: hypocrite

Galatians 2:13 ” The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.”

No matter how spiritually strong we are, anyone of us can stray from the will of God.  Here Simon Peter, nicknamed the Rock,  of which Jesus had said, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church,” caved under man’s pressure.  Peter had been fellowshipping with Christian Gentiles until a group of Jews showed up and started pressuring him to stop.  He was afraid that his reputation and standing might be questioned…fearful of what they might think of him…so he separated himself from the Gentiles…taking everyone with him, including Barnabas.  Isaiah 51:12-13 asks this question, “Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, that you forget the Lord your Maker?”  It’s a dangerous slippery slope when we start fearing man rather than God…afraid of what people may think of us rather than doing God’s will.  Peer pressure can be tremendous, for we all want to fit in and be liked…but when it causes us to deviate from God’s plan…it effects everyone around us.

Romans 14:13 ” Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”

The Apostle Paul wasn’t speaking to non-Believers in this passage.  Rather, he was directing the faithful to stop judging one another.  You probably know someone who has been deeply wounded at Church by some hyper-critical  Carnal Christian, and now because of that, has turned their back totally on Christianity and anything to do with God.  For them, they can only see hypocrisy in fellow Believers that should be showing the love of Jesus…but instead are negative and critical.  Such Carnal Christians are a hindrance and a barrier to the Gospel Message.