The Hypocrisy Gotcha Game

We have become obsessed with pointing out hypocrisy. In nearly every debate/argument I have read online recently, at some point someone pulls out the hypocrisy card.  “Republicans are hypocrites, they did that exact thing a year ago and now they are against it.” “Democrats are hypocrites, they said that exact thing 3 years ago.”

Yawn.

I find this argument old and tired.

I also find that it blinds my heart. The idea that there is some group or organization that is not filled with hypocrites is comical. The idea that I am not filled with hypocrisy is even more comical.

If you are looking for a good description of hypocrisy, these are Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:

²³ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. ²⁴ You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

²⁵ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

When I am faithful to attend Sunday morning worship, but neglect justice on Monday….

When I work hard to present God’s word, but do not work hard to show mercy…

When I am diligent to appear holy but neglect true faithfulness….

I am a hypocrite.

I suspect you are as well.

In our hypocrisy obsessed culture, we often miss perhaps the most important point of all. Listen to the Old Testament prophets’ words in Micah 6:

⁸ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly^[a] with your God.

What is good, just, merciful, and humble? 

It appears that in our game of hypocrisy gotcha we have forgotten to ask this question: What is good?  

If an action is wrong, it is wrong for the Republican and the Democrat.

If an action is unjust, it is unjust for the liberal and the conservative.

If an action is unmerciful, it is unmerciful for all.

We need to ask better questions.  We can do better than, “who is the hypocrite?” Spoiler alert…all of us.

What is good, merciful, and humble? These are good questions.

If we ask better questions, perhaps, we will get better answers and maybe, just maybe, a better world will follow.