You must have JavaScript enabled in order to use this site. Please enable JavaScript and then reload this page in order to continue.

Personal Growth: "You Hypocrite!" - Articles | Preachit.org

Paypal users will need to re-register to our new system. Click Here

Personal Growth: “You Hypocrite!”

Share This:

Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on facebook
Share on email

Failure. In the business world, this word isn’t an option. But in the church, it almost seems like a requirement. Look at the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11. While the Bible lauds their faithful successes here, check out their Old Testament stories, and you’ll find that God used people who repeatedly failed and doubted him.

So the next time you feel like a failure or even a hypocrite – encouraging your congregation to live one way when you’re failing in that very same area yourself – remember God’s amazing penchant for using seemingly imperfect, irresponsible, and faithless people to further His kingdom. In fact, here are some specific places where you might be feeling like a failure, along with promises for you to claim:

Correcting and confronting people about sin when you know the pitiful condition of your own heart.

Remember that God detests sin, but he already knows that you’ll fail Him. Victory doesn’t come through any power of our own, but only from God’s strength over evil. Approach God and admit your weaknesses. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:8-9)

Preaching on quiet time when you don’t have one.

Change the terminology if you need to. A quiet time is just a means of recharging your own spiritual batteries on a semi-regular basis – even if it’s not a daily quiet time. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Being still is hard to do if you’re running in the opposite direction. What will happen if you stop and listen to God? “You’ll be made new in the attitude of your minds; and you’ll put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:23- 24)

Speaking on bringing people to the Lord when you haven’t led anyone to Him in years.

Double-check your source and motivation. Jesus said that only people plugged into Him could be fruitful. “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)

Warning of the dangers of pride when your own head barely fits through the door (or tips you over behind the pulpit).

Change your attitude, taking yourself out of the limelight if necessary. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands… so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.” (I Thessalonians 4:11-12)

Doing a sermon on joy when you’ve been miserable for months.

Remember the old saying that bitter people are never thankful, and thankful people are never bitter. Scripture says it this way: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances (not just the good ones) for this is God’s will for you.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)