Why Do So Many Non-Christians Perceive Christians to Be Such Hypocrites?

Reverend Marjorie Bevans

The Second Sunday after Pentecost 2026

Texts: Hosea 5:15-6:6, Matthew 9:9-13

In the Gospel lesson today, the Pharisees took the position that anyone who ate with tax collectors and sinners must be or would become a sinner themselves. Jesus who was living under the Law of Moses was openly violating it. The Pharisees seem to assume that they are not sinners, because at least they are not eating with tax collectors and sinners.

So, who were these Pharisees who so often clashed with Jesus? They were educated in the Law of Moses (like lawyers) and considered to be protectors of the Law (like judges). They taught the people (like teachers) and sometimes were consulted when people had disagreements (like counselors). It is believed that the word ‘Pharisee’ is derived from an ancient Hebrew word meaning ‘set apart’, which is similar to the meaning of ‘holy’, to be set apart for God. They were supposed to be holy men.

A few years ago I read the results of a longitudinal survey of non-Christians. 128,000 people were asked what kept them from seriously considering Christianity. The answer was ‘Christians’. The number one reason by far, receiving 47% compared to the next highest reason with 23%, was the perceived hypocrisy of Christians. Ouch. People who are perceived to be telling other people how to live without living up to those same standards appear to be hypocrites. ‘Rules for thee, but not for me’—an old aphorism my mom used to say. Jesus often confronted this in his conversations with the Pharisees. Our words don’t mean anything to someone else if they are not consistent with our behavior. We Christians must always strive to be people of integrity. Otherwise, the Lord we proclaim to love and follow will not be taken seriously.

Why do so many non-Christians perceive Christians to be such hypocrites?

When I was a young adult, I would have responded “Because Christians are at least trying to live by a higher standard, even if they sometimes stumble.” But I’m not so sure a lack of Christ-like perfection is what non-Christians are seeing. I wish the survey had a follow-up question or two about what makes so many non-Christians think Christians are such hypocrites. A large part of it might be that non-Christians don’t understand Christianity at all. Fewer and fewer people in each generation have any real exposure to it. People may believe it’s more like a philosophy than a relationship with the living God.

What can we do? If a Christian occasionally stumbles while trying to follow Christ, it must be accompanied with a sense of guilt or contrition, repentance, confession, and improvement. What if we were known by someone to be a Christian, but we never seem to admit we are sometimes wrong and we should apologize? In psychology we would say such a person is not very self-aware. In spiritual terms we would say such a person is being impenitent, but to a person who is not a practicing Christian, it looks like hypocrisy. For our Christian witness to have integrity, we don’t need to be perfect. We need to be honest and humble. We don’t want to be Pharisees, pointing out the splinter in someone’s eye, while ignoring the log in our own. In addition to being honest and humble, we need to better understand what God is asking from us. The prophet Hosea tells us that the Lord desires true communion, not superficial sacrifice. “I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” The Pharisees were good at keeping the Letter of the Law, but they did not understand the Spirit of the Law—why God gave it. They gave God burnt offerings rather than their hearts.

How do we better understand what God is asking from us? We must be engaged in the study of Scripture. We learn there why God created us, how he loves us, and the purpose for our lives. We also study particularly the New Testament, the teaching of Jesus and the Letters of Paul. And when we pray, we come into the presence of God so we can be changed by it, to be made more Christ-like. Many of us regularly practice certain types of prayers—intercession for others, petition for ourselves, but the kind of prayer that forms us is simply listening to God. God speaks to our hearts and minds when we stop talking and just put ourselves in his presence. It is also in these times that God corrects us, and we can acknowledge to him our shortcomings. Prayers of adoration, oblation—offering our whole selves to God, and contemplation are most helpful. If we engage in this simple discipline of study and prayer, we might be better prepared to respond to the challenges of the world—to evil, suffering, and confusion. We might be better witnesses for Christ.

The Pharisees may have had confidence in their knowledge of the Law, but because they did understand why the Law was given—to show us how to love God and love others, too often their confidence became arrogance. There is a difference between the two. Arrogance comes from trusting in oneself. Yet, we can be confident in God while being humble, because trusting God causes us to be humble. We come to realize that God is God, and we are not. We accept our proper relationship with God. We are less likely to be arrogant, more likely to be humble.

So, I believe the best way to avoid being seen as a hypocrite and a better witness for Christ, is not to be a more perfect Christian—although that wouldn’t hurt, but rather, to be a more humble Christian. Then, as Peter writes in his First Letter, ‘In your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” We must be able to explain what we believe in our hearts, out of genuine affection for the other person.

Amen.

St. Michael and All Angels 2025

St. Michael and All Angels 2025

By: The Reverend Marjorie Bevans

Texts:  Genesis 28:10-17; Revelation 12:7-12; John 1:47-51

         Tomorrow is the Feast Day of St. Michael and All Angels, our patron saint.  I’m not sure why our church was named St. Michael’s, but it is a good thing for us to know about St. Michael and all his Angels.

            The second lesson is from the Revelation to John, and it’s the primary New Testament lesson about St. Michael the Archangel.  Michael and his angels fought against Satan and his angels, and Satan and his angels were expelled from heaven to earth. 

            One thing that makes Revelation difficult to understand is it is a vision given to the Apostle John.  While it’s mostly about the future, about the ultimate triumph of the Lamb of God at the end of time, it’s also a look at what is ongoing behind the scenes, and has been ongoing since The Fall of Adam and Eve.

            In the Old Testament, Michael is mentioned in the Book of Enoch and Daniel as one of seven archangels who work for God.  Michael is the chief of the seven, and he’s engaged in fighting the ‘prince of Persia,’ which is present day Iran. Michael is the defender of the people of God, meaning the defender of Israel.  And that role has extended into our time where Michael is now also the patron saint of police officers, those who protect the innocent.

            From what do the people of God need protection?

            Whether or not most of the people in this world would acknowledge it, we have been engaged in a spiritual battle between good and evil since the the Fall.  We need protection from evil.

            Much of human history is about war. What seems to drive it is a quest for power, or security, or land.  There are significant ideological clashes—Marxism, atheism, progressivism, socialism, and communism against Christianity, natural human rights, and all forms of self-determination.  There are differences in cultural values and practices, and jealousy, fear, and hatred come into play.

            However, the root of all suffering in this world is evil and it is spiritual—meaning it has to do with God and, consequently, with Satan, and the condition of our souls.  No one wants to believe they are evil, but Satan is the great deceiver.  He uses lies and deception, and half-truths to turn people to the 'dark side’.

            While Satan and his angels may have lost the war in heaven, and they were kicked out of heaven, Satan’s home now is the world, this earth upon which we live.  Satan and his angels no longer have access to God, but we Christians do.  The best defense against being deceived is to continually seek the truth.  Ultimate truth is found in God, which is why the Word of God is central to understanding what is good and what is evil.

            While groups of people fight one another over ancient disputes, and more recent ideological ones, the conflict with evil is most importantly a battle within the heart and soul of each person.  This is not just seen in worldly events or even in interactions between individuals.  These worldly events are the outward manifestation of what is going on inside us.  For this reason, the great Christian thinkers warn us to ‘guard what is in our hearts.’  Does it come from God, or from Satan’s influence?  It is a lot easier to be influenced by Satan.

            When we were growing up we used to think ground zero for the final battle between good and evil was Washington, D.C. or Moscow.  We lived in the nighttime glow of Washington, so we paid attention.  The place of the final battle has shifted from time to time, in ancient times—Israel and Babylon, in the first century—Rome and Jerusalem, during World War II—London and Berlin, in our time—Gotham and small town America.

            Meanwhile, the fight between good and evil is also here at St. Michael’s, not outwardly, but inwardly.  It is being fought in our souls, to whom do we belong, and what does that mean?

            Satan’s true focus is on the people of God, which would be the church, all Christians.  His primary goal is to draw people away from God.  C.S. Lewis’ “Screwtape Letters” provides an insightful description of the tools Satan uses to do this.  If you’ve not read it, or not ready it recently, please do.  It’s definitely worth reading or re-reading.

            God has blessed St. Michael’s for over 70 years.  Through the years we have grown as Christians in our relationship with God in good times and bad, developed life-long cherished relationships—even across the political divide, and have been married and also buried here.  Generations of saints who built this church are now out there in the cemetery.  We have such good memories upon which to build the future for coming generations, which brings me to Sophie.

            We welcomed Sophie into our extended family in February, and now we are all together welcoming her into the family of God.  Jesus Christ will know her and reach out to her so that she can feel his love and protection.  Brandon and Mary, and Sophie’s grandparents and godparents will all have a role in helping her with this.  And we do too. 

            We are called to teach by word and example the Good News of Jesus Christ, that there is a stream of fathomless love coming from God, that will sustain all of us through good times and bad.  We want Sophie to have what was given to us too, so long ago, what has brought us to be here this morning.  May the Archangel Michael and All his angels, guard our hearts and protect us all.  Amen.