How do you respond to "Christians are hypocrites"?

redleghunter

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Realistically yes, since all are sinners. But I cant really share Christ with a non-Christian by going up to them and saying:

Me: "Hi, I'm a Christian. What do you think about Christianity?"

Them: "I think Christian's are hypocritics"

Me: "WELL SO ARE YOU :mad:

........

Please think about accepting Jesus as your savior BYE"

Lol
No but you can lovingly bring them to that conclusion.

Ask them what makes you a good person?
 
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Rescued One

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It is like people see Christianity in a legalistic fashion. They see hypocrites because they see some Christians not living up to the professed code (openly). If they only knew about the grace of God, they'd see that Jesus came for the sinner and that these people that fall short of the standard are being sanctified by God.

Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is a Christian. While no Christian is perfect, they are no longer walking in darkness. By their fruits ye shall know them.
 
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FatalFantasy

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When sharing the faith every so often as we are called to do it can't be uncommon to encounter the phrase "I'm not a Christian because all Christians are hypocrites" or something similar.

How do you refocus the conversation away from negativity and back on promoting the gospel in a positive way?

For myself, I have to nod and agree and respect that they feel this way before going on about my own experience with the gospel and how it's completely changed my life, hoping that they will respect in kind.

How do you demonstrate to acquaintances that Christians aren't all hypocrites?
What can you do or say that will convince an unbeliever believing something that is only possible by God.
 
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GingerBeer

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When sharing the faith every so often as we are called to do it can't be uncommon to encounter the phrase "I'm not a Christian because all Christians are hypocrites" or something similar.

How do you refocus the conversation away from negativity and back on promoting the gospel in a positive way?
You could try saying "amen! Christians are hypocrites that is why they need Jesus as their saviour. It's because they have awakened to their own duplicity that they ask God for mercy. Isn't that true of you? Are there not things you say and do which you wish you did not? Without Jesus Christ helping there's very little chance that you will find a way to stop doing the things you regret after doing them. That is why I am here urging everyone to come to Jesus and ask for his help to be free from the things that they hate in their behaviour. And it is why I ask you now to do exactly that. Come to Jesus Christ and ask for his help. He will hear you and help you if you ask."
 
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RDKirk

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By them calling Christians hypocrites are they not being hypocritical?

No, because they never live under those claims.

Romans 6-8 explains to us that pagans are going to be pagans because they are obeying their own master. "Don't be a hypocrite" isn't one of their master's rules.
 
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W2L

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When sharing the faith every so often as we are called to do it can't be uncommon to encounter the phrase "I'm not a Christian because all Christians are hypocrites" or something similar.

How do you refocus the conversation away from negativity and back on promoting the gospel in a positive way?

For myself, I have to nod and agree and respect that they feel this way before going on about my own experience with the gospel and how it's completely changed my life, hoping that they will respect in kind.

How do you demonstrate to acquaintances that Christians aren't all hypocrites?
Tell them that every person has the capacity to be a hypocrite, and that Jesus came to save sinners.
 
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BNR32FAN

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When sharing the faith every so often as we are called to do it can't be uncommon to encounter the phrase "I'm not a Christian because all Christians are hypocrites" or something similar.

How do you refocus the conversation away from negativity and back on promoting the gospel in a positive way?

For myself, I have to nod and agree and respect that they feel this way before going on about my own experience with the gospel and how it's completely changed my life, hoping that they will respect in kind.

How do you demonstrate to acquaintances that Christians aren't all hypocrites?

I would say that we aren’t hypocrites because we’re not the one making the rule of obeying God. God made the rule in which we all fail from time to time, some more than others. Obedience is a goal we strive for. The only way we would be considered hypocrites is if we proclaimed to be righteous in our actions. It is pretty rare that true Christians make this claim. Being a hypocrite is not saying one thing and doing another as many believe. It’s actually referring to acting a certain way but not truly living the way your portraying. The biblical definition of the word hypocrite is actually referring to actors or thespians. It’s a reference to people who outwardly strive to appear to be godly but inwardly are not. So I would point out that we preach the word of God encouraging others to live according to His word but we all fail at times no matter how hard we try.
 
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RDKirk

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Realistically yes, since all are sinners. But I cant really share Christ with a non-Christian by going up to them and saying:

Me: "Hi, I'm a Christian. What do you think about Christianity?"

Them: "I think Christian's are hypocritics"

Me: "WELL SO ARE YOU

........

Please think about accepting Jesus as your savior BYE"

Lol

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. -- 1 Peter 3

1 Peter is the basic field manual for how a Christian should interact with unbelievers. Nobody should pretend to "share the gospel" (a Christianese phrase I detest for its bundle of erroneous presumptions) without having grokked 1 Peter.

But that verse contains a couple of important implications:

1. It implies that the Christian is noticeable in his good behavior in Christ. People have noticed something different in the way he approaches and does life.

2. One of the things people notice is the hope in his life.

To the extent that unbelievers come and ask him why.

This is where folks who "go out" to "share the gospel" get it all wrong. They should be living lives that cause unbelievers to come to them.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, -- John 6

Folks, God is drawing people to Jesus. We don't know who those particular people are who are being drawn. They don't even know they're being drawn.

These people are like particles of iron mixed with dust. A magnet will draw them out from the dust.

We are supposed to be the magnet.
 
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Acts2:38

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Right, but I don't know if I'd want to say this because it seems like I'd just be throwing it in their face and seems defensive and I don't want to come across as overtly defensive.

I see your point, but what I was talking about wasn't meant to throw it back at them, but more of a point to make that everyone sins (what I was talking about to mention Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1). You are trying to point out the fact that we ALL are not perfect, but that we should strive to obey God's will, and I would insert the link I gave you (example of the 3 people) as an example.
 
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JacksBratt

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When sharing the faith every so often as we are called to do it can't be uncommon to encounter the phrase "I'm not a Christian because all Christians are hypocrites" or something similar.

How do you refocus the conversation away from negativity and back on promoting the gospel in a positive way?

For myself, I have to nod and agree and respect that they feel this way before going on about my own experience with the gospel and how it's completely changed my life, hoping that they will respect in kind.

How do you demonstrate to acquaintances that Christians aren't all hypocrites?
I usually say.. there are Christians who are liars, cheaters, alcoholics, hypocrites, gossips, gluttons, selfish, and use profane language.... Just as in any group of people, you will find these sorts...

Christians, however, are or should be continually trying to change this behavior. Christians should be checking themselves, have personal accountability partners and a church family that should be helping them over come these character flaws..

Christ didn't hang around the high priests. He hung around those that needed him. What better place for people that are sick, than a hospital or doctors office. What better place for sinners than a place that offers salvation.

If your perfect... please don't come to my church... you'll ruin the bell curve.
 
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Acts2:38

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Everything should point to HIM.. by taking the focus off Jesus and onto man, they are attempting to avoid hearing Truth..

Put it back on Jesus, say "yes man is faulty that is why we need a savior.. if you want to see the perfect life lived look at His life" and follow it up by sharing something from Jesus' life in the Bible..

The focus must always be Christ, whenever someone moves away from Christ, put the spotlight right back on Him..

Well put and very true.
 
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devin553344

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When sharing the faith every so often as we are called to do it can't be uncommon to encounter the phrase "I'm not a Christian because all Christians are hypocrites" or something similar.

How do you refocus the conversation away from negativity and back on promoting the gospel in a positive way?

For myself, I have to nod and agree and respect that they feel this way before going on about my own experience with the gospel and how it's completely changed my life, hoping that they will respect in kind.

How do you demonstrate to acquaintances that Christians aren't all hypocrites?

Firstly, you would have to state why you say they're hypocrites to answer your question, secondly you probably don't want to discuss the gospel with someone like that: Matthew 7:6.
 
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steve78

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When sharing the faith every so often as we are called to do it can't be uncommon to encounter the phrase "I'm not a Christian because all Christians are hypocrites" or something similar.

How do you refocus the conversation away from negativity and back on promoting the gospel in a positive way?

For myself, I have to nod and agree and respect that they feel this way before going on about my own experience with the gospel and how it's completely changed my life, hoping that they will respect in kind.

How do you demonstrate to acquaintances that Christians aren't all hypocrites?

I think conservative Christianity is what puts a lot of non Christians backs up. My own faith is at an all time low due to conservative Christianity.

Its not just all about telling people the gospel its showing that you have Jesus in your heart and they can see Jesus in you through what you do.
 
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steve78

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My response to this has typically been to say that your faith should not depend on the holiness of people but on the holiness of Christ. Only Christ is perfect the rest of us are fallen so you will never find a perfect Christian.

Very true.
 
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New Birth

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There area different ways to dialog with someone who presents that statement.
1. The evidence view/ ask "what do you mean?" and allow them to present the evidence and go from there.
2. The Philosophical view/ philosophically just because some Christians may seem like hypocrites that does not conclude therefore that Christianity is not true.
3. The argument of definitions/ one could say by definition Hypocrites are liars and therefore not Christians
 
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Artra

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When sharing the faith every so often as we are called to do it can't be uncommon to encounter the phrase "I'm not a Christian because all Christians are hypocrites" or something similar.

How do you refocus the conversation away from negativity and back on promoting the gospel in a positive way?

For myself, I have to nod and agree and respect that they feel this way before going on about my own experience with the gospel and how it's completely changed my life, hoping that they will respect in kind.

How do you demonstrate to acquaintances that Christians aren't all hypocrites?
Every Christian is fallible; we're all sinners. The Bible teaches that yes, we are all going to fall short of the His Glory on our own works even when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. Calling Christians hypocrites is a misunderstanding of why people come to Christ. We follow the word of God as to come to repentance for our own hypocrisies and sins; we don't represent His sinless existence.

Most likely these people have encountered some self-righteousness and holier-than-thou attitudes from people who professed to being Christians but did not embody the faith. All we can do is set the right example with our own acts of faith and pray that we can break through these misrepresentations and deliver the message as it needs to be.
 
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friend of

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Calling Christians hypocrites is a misunderstanding of why people come to Christ. We follow the word of God as to come to repentance for our own hypocrisies and sins; we don't represent His sinless existence.

Right! More people should know that we Christians do acknowledge our sinfulness and shortcomings, for the most part, and that this is why we need Christ.
 
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Mountainmike

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There is of course an element of truth in it, so it cannot be completely denied.
Sunday christians who behave with contempt for fellow man and are judgemental of everyone and everything during the week are only too common!
Gandhi once said "if your christians were like your Christ, I would become one"

I think The best advice is in the gospel
"by this you will know them, that they love one another"

So preach the gospel by how you live, not what you say, by radiating compassion and love of neighbour and of God over ones self.
And admitting all including you fall short of the glory of God, thats why we needed our redeemer!

That Humility goes a long way, as does being the servant of all, not master.
All of which I have to say, I fail at every day..but all we can do is admit it, dust ourselves down, and try again.


When sharing the faith every so often as we are called to do it can't be uncommon to encounter the phrase "I'm not a Christian because all Christians are hypocrites" or something similar.

How do you refocus the conversation away from negativity and back on promoting the gospel in a positive way?

For myself, I have to nod and agree and respect that they feel this way before going on about my own experience with the gospel and how it's completely changed my life, hoping that they will respect in kind.

How do you demonstrate to acquaintances that Christians aren't all hypocrites?
 
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ViaCrucis

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How do you demonstrate to acquaintances that Christians aren't all hypocrites?

I don't, because we all are. Of course we're hypocrites--we're sinners. The problem isn't that we as Christians are hypocrites, the problem is that we as Christians often pretend like we're not. Instead of readily confessing our sins, freely, openly, acknowledging that we fall short, we frequently pretend we are better than we are. And people aren't stupid or duped so easily, so of course they'll take notice of our phony piety and call us out on it. The appropriate response here, for us, is repentance.

-CryptoLutheran
 
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