The Hypocrite’s Ball: Dancing in the Spotlight of Pride
Greetings! Has been a couple weeks since we dropped something. Our family had a busy couple of weeks but we’re back! So lets get after it.
One of the commitments we made as a family when starting this blog was to be real—to invite you into our struggles, not just our victories. As we share, our hope is to show you how God works in our lives, not as a testament to our perfection but in spite of our imperfections.
One of the biggest misconceptions we often fall into as humans is confusing discernment with judgment. It is a thin line. Discernment is rooted in wisdom—the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, and to make choices accordingly. Judgment, on the other hand, involves forming conclusions, often with a critical or condemning tone. Yet, because the world blurs this distinction, people who practice discernment are often accused of being judgmental.
That’s why it’s important for us to be open about our shortcomings—not to glorify failure, but to free others from the weight of critical judgment. We want to create a space for honest conversations led by discernment, not condemnation. This doesn’t mean we never struggle with being judgmental; it means we actively commit to resisting that tendency, even though we sometimes fall short—because, like you, we are imperfect.
Mark 2:17 (NLT)- When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
I love this translation: those who think they are righteous. When we discussed this among ourselves, the topic of church hurt naturally came up. As pastor’s kids—PKs, as the young folks say—we’ve experienced this in many ways. For some, it meant being dragged to church, feeling like our worth was measured by how well we performed "godly" tasks before the congregation. For others, it created a defense mechanism—building walls to keep out those who inflicted wounds in the name of faith. And I have no doubt in my mind, that we have contributed to our own fair share of church hurt whether its to our kids, our coworkers, or any other person in our lives. The irony. Hurt people hurt people is the saying.
And then there are those who are “fresh blood”—new to faith, searching for hope—who encounter the church, only to be met with disappointment. Instead of finding a lifeline, they feel abandoned, hurt, or judged, sending them running away from God. It is often in these moments, blinded by our own hypocrisy, that the enemy works masterfully to pull people further from Him.
Victim blaming by pointing out hypocrisy? Not our finest moment but let’s dig a little deeper.
Let’s start with a simple question: Why do people go to church? The reasons may vary, but one thing is true for every single person who steps inside: they are flawed.
No one runs to church in a state of perfection. Regardless of their reason for attending, they bring brokenness with them. While understanding God’s original design for humanity is an important part of this discussion, let’s set that aside for now and focus on one undeniable fact—we aren’t perfect, and we need help.
Romans 3:23 (NLT)- For everyone has sinned (failed to walk perfectly in God’s divine will); we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Sin—a word that often triggers strong reactions. Here, I’ve expanded its definition to help capture its true meaning beyond the weight of religious connotations. At its core, sin is our failure to align with God’s will.
We already know we’re imperfect. The Bible doesn’t introduce something foreign to us—it only reinforces what we experience daily. And yet, in full awareness of our own flaws, we enter a place full of other flawed people, point out their shortcomings, and somehow use their failures as an indictment against a perfect God.
Romans 7:15 (NIRV)- I don't understand what I do. I don't do what I want to do. Instead, I do what I hate to do.
Think about emotions like anxiety, anger, or frustration. How often do we act on them reflexively, even when we know better? Our imperfections manifest in subtle ways, shaping our choices and actions either suddenly or over time.
So how does it happen? How does someone seeking hope and purpose—coming to a place full of flawed people—leave, not just disillusioned with people, but condemning God Himself?
You guessed it! PRIDE.
1 John 2: 16 (AMP)- For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world.
When this verse is typically read, it’s often associated with material pride. But this translation expands its meaning, making it even more robust. The Bible mentions pride roughly 44 times, and nearly half of those instances refer to pride rooted in self-confidence.
Between the three of us, we’ve had the privilege of knowing some incredibly intelligent people across various fields. And regardless of how someone views themselves—whether through the lens of intellect, wealth, or success—one truth remains: no one is exempt from the need for God. Your intelligence, status, or achievements do not elevate you above that need. And make no mistake: you most certainly will fill that void with a god. It’s a matter of which one.
True encounters with God reveal this reality: we are no better or worse than the person next to us. Our needs are the same. Neither intellect nor wealth grants access to Him—only humility does.
Pride is deceptive. It doesn’t just distort how we see others—it blinds us to ourselves. It shifts us from discernment to judgment while blocking true self-examination.
So when people witness the flaws of the church—flaws that stem from its people—they pass judgment. They reach a verdict: God isn’t real. Religion is fake. Or something similar. But here’s the problem: recognizing flaws has no power if it isn’t followed by surrender. Acknowledgment without submission to God is meaningless. That’s why statements like “I know I’m not perfect” are exercises in futility. What or who have you submitted your short coming to?
This isn’t just a problem within the church—it’s just as present in those who stand outside, looking in. Instead of seeking signs of humility in others while also walking in humility ourselves, we judge. Church members look at outsiders through a lens of pride, and outsiders look back the same way. Just from opposite sides. Humility is not a destination rather it’s a lifestyle. Which means the moment you have to assess someone, it requires you to check the height at which you view them or you will find yourself KNEE DEEP in hypocrisy.
1 Peter 5:6 (AMP) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time,
Self-righteousness is a form of pride that affects both believers and unbelievers. We tend to ascertain anything with the word righteous with religion. I often chuckle when someone says, “I’m not religious.” The truth is—we all are.
Here’s why. According to Google, religion is:
The belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods.
a particular system of faith and worship
a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.
Everyone fits into at least one of these or all three. Maybe you don’t follow a major religion—fine. But if you have convictions about right and wrong, whether they are weak or strong, those convictions form the foundation of your belief system. In a way, they function as your personal doctrine. Maybe it’s your career, where success and hard work drive your decisions. Maybe it’s relationships, where loyalty and love shape your choices. Perhaps you hold tightly to personal morality, a philosophical stance, or even reason and logic as your guiding force. Or even self-improvement, constantly striving to grow and evolve. You trust in a set of principles that guide your life and hold them in reverence. That’s devotion. That’s worship.
The point? Self-righteousness is universal. By definition, anyone can fall into it—and we all do. The moment we elevate our own understanding above God’s, we replace Him with ourselves. We build convictions that make us feel strong and confident, stratify others based on them, and—voilà—we think we have life figured out. Until the right crisis exposes our FRAGILITY.
Romans 1: 21-22 (NLT)- Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.
It’s always striking how boldly people dismiss God. Arguments against His existence often boil down to some form of this question: "If there’s a God, why is there so much evil in the world?"
Matthew 12:25 (AMP)- 'Knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom that is divided against itself is being laid waste; and no city or house divided against itself will [continue to] stand. '
Even in human wisdom, we recognize that leadership is most effective when unified. We submit to this reality daily—at work, in governments, and within organizations. Yet, we look at a world where everyone acts as their own god and wonder why chaos prevails. But I digress because this isn’t a debate and hope to tackle this in the future.
In the end, pride tells us we can stand alone. Humility reminds us we never could. And maybe, just maybe, it’s worth considering the One who has the power to hold it all together.
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