Is There a Difference Between a Disciple and a Hypocrite?

God-fearing people have integrity. They love the truth and are like Jesus, the table-flipping Son of God – they fearlessly call out and expose hypocrisy and hypocrites (Matt. 10:26-28). Read Matthew 23.

QUESTION RECEIVED:

“If someone loves God, prays, reads the Bible, wants nothing to do with worldly entertainment, loves the truth even when it hurts, but still struggles with a sin, is that person a hypocrite and a liar?  I have a few people that say things like that. They say that if someone is struggling with a sin that they really aren’t saved, being saved, born again. However you want to say it. Or they say that if you struggle with sin you don’t love God. I don’t get that at all, because isn’t the spirit at war with the flesh? I don’t know… It’s confusing!” Misty L.

RESPONSE:

The Bible speaks of us “striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4) and that “the flesh lusteth (strives) against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh (Galatians 5:17-18) and so we know that is a war going on in our members.  The daily cross is to crucify that old man and his sinful deeds and as we do we are raised up by the Holy Ghost in His victory (Romans 6; 8:12-14, etc.) … we are to “fight the good fight of faith”and yet at times we fail but that doesn’t mean we are hypocrites (1 Timothy 6:12) In fact, as long as we are fighting – learning to live the crucified life – we manifest that we are Christ’s. Peter sinned against Christ in the worst way and Jesus did tell him to “get thee behind me Satan” but didn’t call him a hypocrite as He often called the religious posers, actors, the pharisees (Matthew 23). That’s actually the definition of a hypocrite – a poser or actor. When Jesus foretold Peter that he would deny Christ three times, the Son of God then told him that He would pray for him to be restored (Luke 22:31-32). Again, Jesus never called His disciples hypocrites though He had much opportunity to do so. Furthermore, Paul speaks of those believers who are “weak” in Romans 14-15.

We certainly are commanded to “Be ye holy as I am holy” and to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit” and to perfect “holiness in the fear of God.” (1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Corinthians 7:1) This is accomplished by our submission to the LORD daily – presenting our bodies a living sacrifice – and the power of the Holy Spirit, raising us up in His holiness to bear fruit to the LORD glory (Romans 1:4; 6:1-23; 8:1-14; 12:1, etc.).

On this topic Theodore W. writes:

“It depends on personal attitude toward that sin. If one is struggling, and is humble repenting and praying to God for help, they are in the process of growth in their spiritual life. If they care nothing about sin and God, doing what they please, having NO remorse, then there is a good chance they are in eternal trouble.” Theodore W.

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FEEDBACK:

“Misty asked a very good question. It is sad that so many self professing Christians don’t know the truth to her question. Looking to the Scriptural truth of God’s Word we find all the answers. Thank you brother Todd for all the Scriptures to back up your answer~! PRAISE GOD!” Darlene T.

“We have to keep our eyes on Jesus, and have faith that He will guide us in all things, and that He will give us strength to say no to the devil and his temptations. Thank you, brother, for answering me with gentleness and in truth. God bless you, and all others on this post!” Misty L.

“Amen, it’s such a joy to know that when we accepted the finished work of the cross, we’re no longer slaves to sin, that means we can say no!! and by the power of the holy spirit, he’s provided a way of escape, when we’re being tamped or struggling.” Paula W.

“1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. ( I have met people who tell me they don’t sin, and they go to church and never have been born again, and you can discern that when you talk to them, there is no renewing of their minds, no spiritual words coming from spiritual thoughts.” Diane V.

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“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3

“Perfect peace” can only come as our hearts and mind are “stayed” upon our LORD, as we truly trust in Him. And, such does not come without fighting “the good fight of faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12) It’s a “GOOD fight” because as we “labour to … enter into that rest”, we win with Christ (Hebrews 4:11).

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:9-11 

The love and peace of God we experience here as we walk with Jesus, as we abide in His love, as we ask Him to make us one with Him, more and more as He prayed to the Father in John 17. Due to living in a fallen, a dark world, we must fight, we must “labour therefore to enter into that rest.” This should bring a fresh definition of the term “labor of love.”

Bless-ed Violence

The “violent” must and will take, will procure Christ’s kingdom “by force” – that is, the blessed benefits of Christ’s kingdom. This is not because it’s merited by our own works but rather because we live in a fallen world that fights against us each step of the way with the powers of darkness, with sin, and with sinners who are agents of the kingdom of hell.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12

“The kingdom of heaven” is suffering great attack in this present dark world and only “the violent take it by force.” “By force” meaning by choosing to love the LORD supremely instead of self, to deliberately choose to change masters – to worship, to love and obey and serve Christ above all else.

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5 

As we choose to love God more than ourselves, abiding in Christ, we can be assured that we are going to eternally rest in our beds with our Father, with Jesus, and with the host of His saints and angels forevermore.

“He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” Isaiah 57:2

Ultimately we shall rest in our beds in Heaven and yet for now, we must war, we must “fight the good fight of faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12) Being made perfect in our love, in our relationship assures that all fear shall be vanquished from our lives.

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:16-19

God “is holy” and God “is love.” (Revelation 22:11; 1 John 4:8, 16) His love is pure and holy.

LORD, please let Your love flood my heart and life and cast out all fear. In Jesus’ name.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33

Psychobabble Peddlers

If it works, why O why is there a lifelong process of “recovery”? Why is there no real solution, to actual cure?

Answer: It’s an indu$try. Follow the money.

Beware of the false prophets who attempt to sell you on their “counseling” for your supposed “mental health issues,” for your wounds – that God alone can heal. Run.

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3 

“Suffering from depression” and “mental disorders” and “mental health issues” etc., are phrases we often hear to excuse, to make excuses for perpetrators. Total nonsense. They made choices. Lock them up.

Personally, I can’t count the number of people I’ve known who went the “counseling”, mental disorder, and mood drug route. They didn’t cling to the LORD, to His Word and were therefore deceived by beguilers who fed them the typical psychological profiling jargon. They bought Satan’s bait and have since been shipwrecked. They were never made whole by the LORD because they sought sinful man’s counsel instead of God. In each case, their whole lives are wasted, sub-optimized, miserable.

“Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.” Psalms 107:17

Unrepentant (John 3:18-21). These vile frauds indict the Almighty, claiming He didn’t provide all man needed for every part of their being. These are antichrists who put something, anything in place of Christ. They’ve inserted themselves and their drugs and counseling in between God and man, seeking to usurp the place of Christ who came to heal the broken in heart (Luke 4:18).

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Sin is man’s core problem (Jeremiah 17:9, etc.). False teachers psychologize the faith. Beware. Paul warned of this: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2:8-10)

The WORD of God is the counsel of God and contains “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3-4, 19-21; Ps 33:11; 2 Tim 3:16-17)

The words “positive” and “negative” appear nowhere in God’s Word. “Truth” appears 237 times. Truth is divine and what matters, not what sinful men call negative and positive. Unrepentant sinners based things on how it makes THEM feel because they serve self, not the Savior. Hell bound.

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Hint: If something is not specifically named as a sin in God’s Word, leave others alone about it. MYOB, right? (Mind Your Own Business)

In this podcast, you will hear about a Recent Phone Call from Hell I received and how it was dealt with.

Over the years, I’ve conversed with men who are religious but not saved. Oh and boy are they fervent and sincere, and yet sincerely dead wrong. This particular phone conversation was no different. Many times Paul’s writings were born out of his defense of the faith of the original Gospel and this message is the same. Perhaps there’s a two-fold blessing in this:

1. Continuing to established the essentials set forth in the original Gospel of Christ (John 21:15-17; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, etc.).
2. A constructive example of how to biblically handle religious people like this (remember Jesus was most stern and straight with the rich and the religious. See Matthew 23, etc.).

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12

If all your religious activity hasn’t produced “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”, all you have thus far is religion, not Jesus. Listen closely to what happens when Jesus saves you:

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17 

This is the truth of God, the fruit granted to all who’ve truly believed on the LORD Jesus Christ and thereby been saved. One thing’s for certain: The LORD desires to give you “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”.

Jesus is the Sabbath of Every Saved-by-Grace New Testament Saint – Not a Certain Day

“Sabbath” means intermission, to rest. All of God’s people now rest from attempting to keep the law perfectly and instead rest in the righteousness of Christ, the only One who ever kept the law perfectly.

“For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” Hebrews 4:3

“Hebrews 4:3: For we which have believed do enter into rest – The great spiritual blessings, the forerunners of eternal glory, which were all typified by that earthly rest or felicity promised to the ancient Israelites, we Christians do, by believing in Christ Jesus, actually possess. We have peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost; are saved from the guilt and power of sin; and thus enjoy an inward rest.” Adam Clarke

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:9-10

“In Hebrews 4:10 we are directed to our risen Lord, who has finished the work of Redemption and rests, as God did when He pronounced Creation to be ‘very good.’ When we understand what He meant by ‘It is finished’, we, too, shall rest.” FB Meyer

Some today uphold a certain day instead of the LORD who makes all days (Galatians 4:9-11). They prove to be lost souls. False teachers are known in that they uphold something, ANYthing other than Christ.

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:14-19

Justification

It has been wisely stated that “If you’re flirting with Moses, you’re cheating on Jesus.”

Have you memorized John 1:17 ?

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

How does God save us?

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

The law finds us all guilty of breaking it. Even if it were just once, just one law we broke, we are guilty of breaking all of it and 100% fully worthy of death.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10

God alone can justify us and He does such exclusively through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ His only begotten Son. “It is finished” means “paid in full.”

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30　

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:4

Sports are Not a Sin – Unless they become One’s Idol or put before God.

Paul uses three different sports/games to illustrate spiritual truths, realities. This alone informs us, proves that sports in and of themselves, games, are not a sin. Running (track and field), boxing, and wrestling (1 Corinthians 9:24, 26; Ephesians 6:12).

In all the lists of soul damning sins found in Scripture, not one of them names sports or playing a game as a sin. If that were the case, playing a game of cards with grandma, or going to a nephew’s soccer game, would be a sin. Not. However, the misuse of anything on this earth can come out of a sinful heart of idolatry. Use and misuse. Work out YOUR own salvation with fear and trembling and cease being a busybody in the lives of other believers concerning things not essential to one’s salvation (Romans 14; Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Peter 4:15).

“And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” 1 Corinthians 7:31 

What the Bible Teaches about Non-Essentials, Things not Essential to Salvation.

Never judge or destroy God’s work in the life of another saint for things that are non-essential, NOT essential to salvation.

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. … 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. … 20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.”

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