A hypocrite is a person who says you should do something that they themselves would not do.
A Spiritual hypocrite prays well, but not from his heart, he sings beautifully, but only to be heard, he sits on committees and planning boards in the church, but only so his ideas can be brought forth. He is the epitome of Matthew 15:8, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
Self-recognition, vainglory is what matters to them, not the glory of God, yet they deceive many, and sadly many of those they are not deceiving will not speak to them personally or to those in authority over the church body, for many times these are the “important” people in the church. They give much, and that money, which is the root of all evil, is a great persuader.
It does not bother them, in fact the opposite is true, if what they offer is not known to the congregation. I have seen their names etched in stone on the walls of some churches, memorials placed in their honor after their death, entire wings or additions emblazoned with their names.
“That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” (Matt. 6:4)
In secret is not the way of the hypocrite.
I know of a man who purchased a building for a church but requested that the congregation pay him back for it. I will let you decide if that man should now be an associate pastor, as he has become.
Spiritual hypocrites are the ones who get to pick the carpet for the new addition, even though everyone votes on it, the songs are not always, but many times their favorites.
“And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,” (Matt. 23:6)
This person is not always wealthy, but is often deferred to because of time served, so to speak. Matriarchs come to mind here, the kindly elderly woman who only, as they say, a fool would dare to cross.
“And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;” (2nd Peter 2:13)
Yet there they sit, decade after decade with that knowing smile, some might call it a smirk, on their face, leading the flock in lieu of a pastor who has either accepted his fate, so to speak, or is a willing accomplice. The verse is true my friends, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3)
Best bet? Leave, either find another church home or pray the Lord that He will keep you growing on the path as you walk it alone with Him.
The Spiritual hypocrite is a mighty force in a church, for few will stand against them, usually there is only one, but those in attendance will generally acquiesce to this person’s desires, and for the same reason that they fall in so many other areas in their lives, fear. Fear of standing, fear of embarrassment, of being ostracized from what they have called their church home.
Cancer spreads my friends, if it is not cut out, sooner or later the entire body will feel the effect of it.
Sadly, the majority does not rule in a church setting when it comes to the will of God by those whose desire it is to see the cancer removed. A pastor who has been corrupted is still the pastor of the church.
Just because the Lord Jesus Christ has stopped knocking on the door of that church does not mean He has stopped knocking on the door of your heart. Try everything you can, pray unceasingly about the circumstances, but know this truth, sometimes you will be outnumbered.
When the Spiritual hypocrite walks into a church he brings the world with him, and most of the time far too many of those who sit in those pews have little problem with those earthly riches.
You may need to leave them to their fate.
