Webster defines the word hypocrisy as: “a feigning to be what one is not, or to believe what one does not: behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe.”
Yes, “hypocrisy” is a strong word. It is often considered a negative word, a word that should be used judiciously and carefully. It is used most often to define scoundrels and enemies; however, in reviewing a recently released research project from the Family Research Council and George Barna (May 2021) on Biblical Worldview, this word unfortunately seems to describe an overwhelming number of Christians in America today. In fact, the primary finding of this research posits these verbatim summarizing statements from the study:
- 51% of adults claim to have a biblical worldview. However, extensive testing through the “American Worldview Inventory” indicates that just 6% of the adult population actually has one. (Source: Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University).
- Among the 51% of adults who claim to have a biblical worldview, there are massive inconsistencies between what they believe and what the Bible teaches. There were 6 of the 12 worldview questions for which a minority of those who claim to have a biblical worldview actually possess a biblical perspective, plus another indicator for which 49% held an unbiblical point of view.
In short, this can only be called what it truly is—hypocrisy: “a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not.” When Christians who claim to believe in what God’s word teaches publicly support the exact opposite in culture, there is a very serious problem. The real hope for the innocent unborn, the disabled, or the frail elderly is Christians who know and believe that all life is sacred, and holy, and must be protected at all costs from the moment of conception until natural death. When Christians abandon this biblical truth for more convenient, comfortable, and politically correct cultural points of view, this is not only hypocrisy, but God forbid, it is a path to heresy: a condition which is far worse than hypocrisy, both temporally and eternally.
As little children, among the first songs many learn in their churches is “This Little Light of Mine.” In this song, we proudly sing of a deeply profound and critical theological truth in a very simple manner:
This little Light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! This little Light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
Then we transition into what is the real significance of the song:
Hide it under a bushel – NO!
I’m gonna let it shine,
Hide it under a bushel – NO!
I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine.
“Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength.” Ps 8:2. We are commanded never to hide the Light of Jesus Christ under a bushel basket, even if it means that we will be held in derision, attacked, mocked, and ridiculed for the light of the Gospel. We are not to hide this light especially now, in an ever-darkening world. In fact, we are commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ to do the exact opposite: to lovingly, albeit defiantly, hold forth the truth, the light of life, the Gospel of Life for everyone to see and know. Why? Because everything depends on this.
The lives of more than 60 million children are in our hands. The lives of 2,400 babies killed each day are in our hands. The lives of the unborn whose body parts are trafficked for fetal tissue research are in our hands. The lives of our mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and grandfathers with dementia or who are physically disabled are in our hands. Because if we do not speak for them, if we don’t hold forth the light of biblical truth, to confront worldly lies; then those lives, our lives, all lives are fair game for the culture of death to harvest.
Make no mistake: claiming to be a Christian, and claiming to have a biblical worldview without even knowing what one is—let alone acting on and defending that worldview—is a serious problem for the prolife movement. We shall close with an encouragement for all of us: study the Word, learn the Word, believe the Word, and live that Word. Live the truth of the Holy Gospel in consistency and in unity with all the martyrs, confessors, and saints of all ages; to hold forth the love of God, the mercy of God, the forgiveness of God, but also the righteous commandments of God. This is our lot. This is our true calling. This is a biblical worldview. It is not primarily intellectual, but it is certainly incarnational.
Rise up leaders, and pastors, and cultivate a culture of Life through the uncompromised teaching of the Word of God without exceptions. Rise up, Christians, and bear upon yourself the mantle of faith, and the call to obedience not only hear the Word, but to be doers of it.
Don’t let Satan blow it out.
I’m gonna let it shine.
Don’t let Satan blow it out.
I’m gonna let it shine.