It is easy to see the failures of someone who claims to be a Christian and call them a hypocrite. That’s why behavior modification should not be the first indicator to label someone a true Christian or a hypocrite. Indeed Christians are to be holy because God is holy and he has called us to a high standard of spirituality, purity, benevolence, and righteous behavior.
When overly pious Christians or non Christians observe an inconsistency in the life of someone who goes to church and who professes to be a Christian they quickly conclude this person is a hypocrites. However what must be brought out is that true Christians are claiming to be Christians and are not claiming to be sinless.
For others to witness that a Christian is indeed a sinner does not automatically show that he/she is a hypocrite. All hypocrisy is a sin but not all sin is the sin of hypocrisy. It is easy for the Christian to find him/herself in the sin of hypocrisy.
Many times when not reaching the biblical standards of righteousness in our behavior and actions we become fearful and embarrassed of being found out. When this happens it is easy to fall into the sin of hypocrisy usually by trying to cover up and convince others and yourself that you are what you profess to be. When this happens the Christian has looked away from the cross and must refocus and keep the cross of Christ in view. Instead of putting on a good show or covering up and not facing our sin we must remember that the Christians’ righteousness resides in Christ. We strive to holiness and righteousness with all of our mind and strength through the same Holy Spirit that empowered the ministry of Jesus our great Lord and savior. Relying on Christ and his righteousness allows us to face and confess our sins knowing that our righteousness resides in Christ's righteousness. Seeing Christians fail in areas of their Christian walk and fighting on to holiness and purity is not always hypocrisy, in many cases it is redemption.
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