The Hypocrisy that Hurts our Witness—Why the Pursuit of Holiness Matters in a Skeptical World

There are many reasons people struggle to believe in Jesus. Some wrestle with intellectual objections. Others carry deep wounds—painful experiences, unanswered prayers, betrayal by someone they trusted. And all of us deal with pride. But one of the more common, and perhaps most tragic, obstacles to faith is not philosophical or emotional. It’s us. For many people, hypocrisy in the church is a legitimate barrier to belief.

Often, we minimize this problem. I’ve heard the line more than once: “The church is full of hypocrites—and there’s always room for one more.” It’s meant to be disarming, even humble. But Jesus never joked about hypocrisy.

When Christians claim to know God but live in contradiction to His ways, the gospel begins to look hollow. It’s not just a matter of bad behavior. It’s a matter of credibility. If the message we proclaim doesn’t shape the way we live, why should anyone believe it’s true?

Holiness is not an option for the believer. It’s a command. “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15). Fortunately, God is committed to our holiness. He is at work in us, forming us, shaping us, giving us strength to work out the salvation he supplied (Phil 1:6, 2:12-13). Holiness is both a gift and a pursuit. It’s a daily invitation to turn away from sin and into the life that Christ offers and to experience the joy that comes from abiding in Him. And when we do, we shine brightly, reflecting the goodness of God.

When we don’t, our hypocrisy casts a shadow of doubt over the power of God unto salvation, and whether it should even be desired in the first place.

Is this how you want to live? I’m sure it’s not. Indeed, I doubt it’s anyone’s goal to become a hypocrite. So, how does it happen? I think it’s a subtle slide for most. Hypocrisy rarely announces itself in your life. It begins gradually, one small betrayal, one little compromise, one weak justification at a time. We indulge ourselves and find ways to rationalize why we are allowed the indulgence when others aren’t. We become like the one Jesus said was trying to spot a speck of dust in someone else’s life while ignoring the log sticking out of our own (Matt. 7:3).

So, how do we avoid this kind of life and instead live lives filled with God’s grace and reflect his glory for all the world to see?

Reflect. Ask God to search your heart and help you to see any wickedness therein (Ps 139:23).

First, reflect upon whether you are truly a follower of Jesus, or are you just someone presuming on God’s grace based on some past experience or heritage you think you have? What I mean is this: many people think they are Christians because they recited some prayer led by a pastor in a church service, were baptized as a kid, or come from a long line of Christians. And while none of these things are bad in and of themselves, they are not what saves someone. Faith saves us.

We are saved by God’s grace through our faith (Eph 2:8-9). The gift of salvation is given to those who admit that they have sinned, recognize that sin needs forgiveness, and believe that only Jesus has the power to forgive them of that sin. The one who believes this in their heart and confesses it with their mouth will be saved (Rom 10:9-10). Does this describe you?

It didn’t describe many of the Pharisees in Jesus’ time. The Pharisees presumed their religious identity alone made them righteous. They measured righteousness by outward conformity, not inward transformation. And Jesus called them what they were—whitewashed tombs (Matt. 23:27). All they could be were hypocrites. They did not possess what they claimed they did, for they did not pursue it by faith. And it is by faith alone that we are made right with God. Does this describe you?

If so, turn from your sin and turn to Jesus. Ask him to forgive you. He will. And not because of your performance or what family you belong to, but because of his grace. Your life will be transformed. You will have the chance to be a beacon of hope for all other lost souls, to live out the gift of the salvation that you have received.

And if this is already true of you, it’s time to live in the light of this grace and put away the sin that so easily ensnares. It’s time to live as the ambassador you are called to be (2 Cor 5:20). It’s time to count the cost. Are you willing to let your hypocrisy steer people away from Jesus, or are you ready to let your light shine before others such that they might praise God because of your good works (Matt 5:16)?

Your life really can make a difference. In fact, the everyday faithfulness of ordinary Christians may be the most compelling evidence of the gospel our world will ever encounter. I once had a skeptical friend who admitted the only reason he even considered Christianity might be true was because so many people believed it. That’s a thin thread to hang eternity on—but it cracked the door open.

Now imagine what might happen if it wasn’t just the number of us that caught the world’s attention—but the way we live. Imagine if our lives overflowed with peace that defies circumstance, joy that runs deeper than comfort, and love that reflects the heart of Christ. What if people saw in us something they couldn’t explain—something that made them wonder if Jesus really is who He says He is?

We often think that evangelism or apologetics starts with a conversation. But often it begins with a life—a life shaped by holiness, marked by compassion, and anchored in truth. When people see mercy where they expected pride, grace where they anticipated judgment, and sincerity in a world addicted to performance, it sparks curiosity rather than doubt.

So, as we speak of Jesus, let’s be sure we’re being shaped by Him. Let’s not be content with the appearance of godliness while denying its power (2 Tim. 3:5). Let us, day by day, turn from our sin and toward Christ—not out of fear, but because we love the One who saved us, and we long to reflect His glory to a world in desperate need of light.

When we live this way, we won’t just talk about the gospel. We will embody it. And we will give people a glimpse of what God’s grace can do.

Reflection Question:
Is there an area of your life where your actions and your message don’t quite align? What would it look like to bring that into the light and pursue holiness there—not for show, but as an act of love and worship?