|
Worldly and Inconsistent Living
Reprinted from The Spiritual Sword
David R. Pharr
“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the
cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the
Lord's table, and of the table of devils” (I Cor.
10:21). In an impressive contrast Paul had
shown the difference between our communion with
the blood and body of our Savior and the
outrageous fellowship implied in eating
sacrifices offered to idols (I Cor. 10:16-20).
He declared that idols were not gods at all, but
devils (demons), and urged, “I would not that ye
should have fellowship with devils.” By saying,
“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup
of devils . . .” he was not declaring that there
was some physical restraint that made it not
possible. No doubt, some in the Corinthian
church were guilty of that very thing. The
point was that to do so would be an unacceptable
inconsistency–an inconsistency which God would
not accept.
The feigned righteousness which is called
hypocrisy is simply a deliberate or careless
lack of consistency between the life one
professes and the life he actually lives. “If
we say that we have fellowship with him, and
walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth”
(I John 1:6). What “we say” suggests more than
a statement. It is the pretense of religion
without the commitment to live consistently with
the principles of righteousness. “He that saith
he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk,
even as he walked” (I John 2:6).
Overt hypocrisy is described this way: “They
profess that they know God; but in works they
deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and
unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16).
There are also those whose lives are described
as having “a form of godliness, but denying the
power thereof” (II Tim. 3:5). These are people
whose religion makes little difference in their
lives. There are those who, except for possibly
participating outwardly in some religious
activities, would be hardly less Christian if
they professed infidelity.
Certain things ought to be characteristic in the
lives of all who are in the church. They should
be faithful in worship and active in the work.
They should happily affirm their membership in
the church of Christ. They should be committed
to learning and to upholding the authority of
the Scriptures. They should oppose all forms of
religious error. They should even be boldly
outspoken in their stand for truth and right.
These are some of the things that identify their
religious profession.
But
there are other things which also ought to be
evident in all who profess to follow Christ. They
should be scrupulously honest in all their business
dealings, paying debts in a timely way and being
fair and reliable in all transactions. They should
be modest in apparel and chaste in behavior. They
should abstain from all intoxicants. They should
guardedly shun places of worldly entertainment and
forbid it in their homes. They should avoid any
appearance of immorality. Their speech should be
wholesome and helpful, never hateful, vulgar or
suggestive of evil. They should be careful in what
they say to, or about, other people. Anger must be
controlled. Charity in word and deed should
characterize their relations with neighbors and
co-workers, as well as with church and family. They
should be equal in their good treatment of all
people regardless of race, culture, education, or
economic standing. Material prosperity should be
balanced between personally enjoying it and applying
it for the good of others to the glory of God. They
should be known for their good deeds. They should
understand and gladly accept that there are
differences in the ways of a Christian and the ways
of the world.
The
concern of this article, however, is that
sometimes–too often–there are those who want to be
identified with the Lord’s people, but by their
worldly and inconsistent living they are in reality
causing the church to be despised. Many encouraging
stories have been told of how Christ-like examples
opened hearts to the gospel. We are less likely to
advertise them, but doubtless there are as many
stories, or more, which could illustrate how the
influence of ungodliness has turned souls away.
Peter described the influence of false teachers,
saying that because of them and their followers “the
way of truth shall be evil spoken of” (II Pet.
2:2). When the world despises the church for its
stand for truth, that is to the shame of the world.
When the world despises the church because it finds
hypocrisy within it, that is to the shame of the
church.
Inconsistent Ministers
As a
preacher, I assert the liberty to speak of
hypocrisies among preachers. I am quick to say that
most of my preaching brethren are God-fearing and
morally upstanding men. All should be. But there
are shocking exceptions. Those who minister the
word should seek to live exemplary lives. Yet some
do not. Some who preach against adultery have been
themselves caught in secret affairs. Others by
suggestive remarks and flirtations have created for
themselves reputations as womanizers. Others are
known to their neighbors as overbearing husbands and
harsh fathers. Uncontrolled anger is not becoming
in “the servant of the Lord,” who is instructed that
he “must not strive, but be gentle unto all men” (II
Tim. 2:24). We have encountered some whose words and
actions betray racial hatred. There are also
preachers who have a reputation for unpaid debts.
Yet others have gotten involved in shady business
activities, selling fraudulent stocks or nearly
worthless products. The crime is magnified as these
deceitful transactions are masked with a show of
piety.
Taming
the tongue is a challenge for us all (Jas. 3:1ff),
but it has been said of some preachers that they are
“tongue-tied, tied in the middle and loose at both
ends!” The Bible description is more poignant:
“Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their
tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is
under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and
bitterness” (Rom. 3:13f). Confidences cannot be
shared with them because they are known gossips.
Others indulge in lewd jesting. There are even some
who are effective at speaking gospel truth, but who
are caught lying about other things.
Are we
being uncharitable when we admit that some ministers
have reputations for gluttony? Or for laziness? Or
for selfishness? Or for haughtiness? Or for
rudeness? Or for sanctimoniously demanding special
privileges? Or for being influenced by financial
gain? And what of one who preaches “the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace” and then divides
brethren and tears up congregations? What of those
who are so willing to chastise others while excusing
their own shortcomings? The old saw that people
should “do as I say, not as I do” only compounds the
hypocrisy.
Paul’s Rebuke
It was
such inconsistency that the apostle found in the
hypocrisy of Judaism. In principle, the same
rebuke applies to anyone who preaches one way and
lives another.
Thou
therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not
thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal,
dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not
commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou
that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through
breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the
name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through
you, as it is written (Rom. 2:21-24).
The
obvious offenses named are compounded by their
giving reason for the heathen to blaspheme. The
third commandment forbad irreverent use of the name
of God. The text implies that one might be guilty
of blasphemy not only by his own mouth, but also by
actions which give occasion for others to blaspheme
“through you.” By evil influence arising from
violation of any commandment may also be the cause
for violation of the third commandment. Nathan
specifically charged this against David, saying that
because of David’s adultery and murder, “by this
deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies
of the Lord to blaspheme” (II Sam. 12:14).
Commenting on Paul’s charges, Matthew Henry made
this observation about hypocritical inconsistency in
ministers:
The
greatest obstructors of the success of the word are
those whose bad lives contradict their good
doctrine, who in the pulpit preach so well that it
is a pity they should ever come out, and live so ill
that it is a pity they should ever come in.
What we say of preachers, however, has no less
application to elders, deacons, teachers and every
member. Who will deny that inconsistency of life is
widespread in our congregations? Let Heaven judge,
but is it not obvious that as a people we too often
fail to distinguish ourselves by sanctified living?
This is not said without appreciation for the
multitude of faithful men and women who deny
“ungodliness and worldly lusts and . . . live
soberly, righteously, and godly in this present
world” (Titus 2:12). Neither do we forget the
wonderful young people who are determined to “flee
youthful lusts” and who “follow righteousness,
faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the
Lord out of a pure heart” (II Tim. 2:22). Nor do we
fail to realize that none of us are perfect and that
faultfinders can always find something to
criticize. But let every worldly minded and worldly
living hypocrite know that such a lifestyle brings
contempt for the church and condemnation to the
soul.
Worldliness in the Mainstream
It is not typical that members of the church are
guilty of what civilized people consider gross moral
evil. Such was the case with the infamous
fornicator in Corinth, who was guilty of such “as is
not so much as named among the Gentiles” (I Cor.
5:1). We can be thankful that scandal to that
degree is not common among us. What is all too
common, however, is willingness to accept the
worldliness that is allowable in society’s
mainstream.
There are some questions that need to be asked about
our conformity to the world. Are we seeing the same
movies, watching the same programs, hearing the same
music? Do our youth find their heroes in Hollywood
and concert halls? Is our modesty (or lack of it)
defined by current fashion? What is left which will
cause us to blush? (See Jere. 6:15.) Are our
Sundays truly the Lord’s Day? Where are the parents
who won’t allow their daughters to attend the prom,
and the youths who determine to stay away on their
own? Does the notion that “everyone else is doing
it” make it seem appropriate to pad expense
accounts? to exaggerate insurance claims? to go
along with school raffles? Are we now so
sophisticated that we no longer pray at our meals?
In the affluence of our churches have we excluded
the poor and unfortunate? (See Jas. 2:1ff.) With
our associates so often divorced, are we finding it
easier to justify adulterous unions? Is there
really much difference in the way we use our
wealth? How is it that adolescents and young
adults, who grow up with the church, can enter into
immorality with so little pain of conscience?
Unfortunately, it has come to the place that the
world is rarely shocked when they see professed
Christians living the same way they do. In the
observations of many, religion is little more than
an affiliation. Many no longer expect that church
people will behave much differently than the
unchurched. It seems that both have the same
ambitions, pursuing the same temporal goals, go to
the same places, laugh at the same things, and make
the same excuses.
Giving ourselves as living sacrifices requires that
we “be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye
may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2). Worldliness
begins with wanting to fit in. Sanctification means
living apart. We cannot have it both ways (I John
2:15-17; Matt. 6:24). “Friendship of the world is
enmity with God” (Jas. 4:4).
God Hates It
The
Old Testament prophets were forceful in their
denunciation of hypocrisy. The principles are the
same in both testament, but energetic censures from
such as Jeremiah and Amos should impress us with its
enormity.
Will
ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear
falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after
other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand
before me in this house, which is called by my name
. . . (Jere. 7:9-10)?
I
hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not
smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me
burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not
accept them: neither will I regard the peace
offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from
me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the
melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as
waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream (Amos
5:21-24).
Walking Worthily
A story is told of a denominational preacher who
justified being unable to answer a scriptural point by
saying, “You people are better at arguing the Bible,
but we are better at living it.” Regardless of the
bias in his claim, it does remind us that sound
doctrine needs to be accompanied with sound conduct.
Paul urged the Philippians to “conduct yourselves in a
manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27
NASB). The same emphasis is in Ephesians 4:1-2. “I
therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that
ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are
called, with all lowliness and meekness, with
longsuffering, forbearing one another in love . . .”
Peter and others were rebuked when it was seen “that
they walked not uprightly according to the gospel
(Gal. 2:14). Their discrimination against Gentile
Christians not only was not becoming to the gospel,
Paul viewed it as implied repudiation of the gospel.
Deliberate, or even careless, wrongdoing may do harm
far beyond what we imagine. We may be able to
logically explain why “hypocrites in the church”
should not keep someone away, but logic rarely keeps a
man from seeing what he is sure he sees. A woman
asked a preacher, “Isn’t there a difference in sin a
Christian commits and sin committed by the unsaved?”
“Indeed, there is,” he replied, “it’s worse!”
Influence is expressed positively as being “the salt
of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matt.
5:13-16). The figure is repeated in Philippians 2:15,
with emphasis on being apart from the world. “That ye
may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God,
without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse
nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”
But when the lines between Christian living and
worldly living are blurred, the salt loses its savor
and the light is dimmed. One who is unwilling to
“walk worthy” is worse than worthless to the cause of
Christ!
Back to
Articles Menu
Carolina Messenger
Spiritual Sword
|