Without Hypocrisy

Author: Joseph

Date: February 2, 2020

A few times in my own life I felt unable to correct someone who was sinning because I was guilty of the same sin. This feeling I had, however, was wrong. Sin needs to be corrected when the opportunity arises so that evil does not flourish in someone’s life. The more sin goes unacknowledged and unrepentant, the further that person commits to the sinful act and it becomes a lifestyle rather than a single incident. Yet, even with this knowledge, I was unable to correct the other person because I was guilty of the same sin. I knew that if I simply corrected the other person, I would be a hypocrite.

In this kind of moment, what should be done?

When these situations arise, immediate confession and repentance need to be done, instead of shying away and feeling guilty and remorseful. We should repent before God in the moment and then proceed with lovingly correcting the other person. We cannot righteously rebuke the sin someone else commits if the same sin still remains in us. When we confess our sins to God and repent, He forgives us and there is no need for us to hold onto guilt after that (though this does not eliminate the temporal consequences of our sins – thoughts for another time).

If the person we are correcting knows that we are also guilty, we need to be openly confess we are wrong as well, but also that we both need to repent. We then join alongside the other person and instead of condemning them, we have now lovingly joined them in repentance and turned away any possibility for hypocrisy. This humble act also serves as a deterrent for accusations to continue, as together, we have both confessed our sin and nothing remains hidden.

Yeshua taught us that we need to act humbly and with great care when correcting others:

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

(Matthew 7:1-5)

Yeshua first recommended not judging another person because we place ourselves under judgement as well and are often found guilty. He also knew, however, that correction is needed and that it can be done righteously if we first humble ourselves and repent from our own sins. Only then can we have the right perspective and become capable of helping the other person repent from their sin.

"...remain repentant yourself..."

Do not lose courage when it comes to correcting someone. The opportunity of correcting others saves them from developing a lifestyle of sinning and is a good reminder to remain repentant yourself. As long as you act without hypocrisy, you have no reason to fear being judged yourself, nor do you have to fear any accusations. Remember that you can take the speck out of someone’s eye only when you are able to see clearly, so keep yourself clear of hypocrisy.

Matthew 7:1-5

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB). www.lockman.org