Continuing to Lead Others When We Feel Like a Hypocrite

Have you ever considered stepping down from a leadership position or stepping away from your calling because you were struggling with your faith? You wrestle with the thought that if anyone knew the wavering thoughts going through your head, you would be the last person they would want to step out to lead or minister to others. Surely they would call you a hypocrite if they only knew. 

I have lost count of the times I have heard someone use the word hypocrite recently, and it has had me pondering and praying about how we use this term. People often use it to describe someone else, but surprisingly, I mostly hear people use it to describe themselves.

I will be honest and admit I have also wrestled with these feelings. There are times when I feel unqualified and unworthy before stepping out to lead others. The enemy is always quick to attack before God uses His people in any capacity, so with the attack comes second-guessing yourself. 

I have realized that the sad thing is how quickly we use this word to label ourselves when we struggle to hold on to our faith, work through hardships, or especially when we feel discouraged. I am so thankful that our Heavenly Father is never as hard on us as we are on ourselves.

I am going to be even bolder to suggest how unkind we are to God’s daughters to label ourselves with such a derogatory word.

If anyone would have been considered a hypocrite in scripture, it surely would have been Heman the Ezrahite. Heman was a chosen vessel of God to lead worship. Psalms 88 has been attributed to him, and it is a must-read for anyone who thinks they need to wait until they have their life and emotions tied up in a neat bow before stepping out to minister to others. It is a testimony to claiming God’s mercy and strength for ourselves as we step out in our callings amid setbacks, discouragement, and even our own personal failures.  It reminds me how often I have to remind myself to be as quick to pour a cup of grace for myself as I am to pour it out to others. 

Do you ever battle with any of these emotions and feelings, for these are the things Heman wrestled with, yet continued to lead others in worship?…

He felt abandoned.

He felt forgotten by God.

He felt alone and that God Himself had separated him from His friends.

He felt God was hiding His face from him.

He battled fear and desperation.

He felt sorrowful and discouraged.

Heman had all these negative thoughts and emotions, yet he consistently called out to the Lord for help (verse 13). That is why, despite all the negative voices inside his head, he was still able to go into the temple, raise his head and hands towards the heavens, and lead others in song and worship.

He wasn’t considered a hypocrite for experiencing honest emotions. Instead, he was simply a clay vessel choosing to rise above what threatened to keep him from offering praise and obedience to a most worthy God.

He put into action the words of  Psalms 150:6 (NIV), “Let every thing that has breath let it praise the Lord.” He offered his praise as he prayed during times when he struggled to hold on to his faith. 

What a lesson for us all!

It needs lead us to reflect upon how often we cover our shortcomings with this pretentious word like a cloak instead of allowing God to cover us with His mercy and grace. Instead of waiting out our trials and temptations by standing firm on the truth of God’s word, we give in to the weakness of our flesh and sit down in defeat.

Friends, the enemy uses the word hypocrite to get us to step back just when we need to step forward.

We allow him to swoop in right at the time of harvest to snatch the fruit of our labor. The snares and tricks of the enemy can be so deceitful and cunning.

When I looked up the word hypocrite, the meaning stated that it is someone who pretends to have virtues or qualities they don’t have. However, there is a difference between struggling and pretending; being a hypocrite is a long way from someone making an effort and falling short or someone battling to remain faithful amid a trial God is using to refine and grow their faith.

I have good news for those who genuinely and humbly feel like they are a hypocrite if they continue to lead others while facing battles of their own. If you desire to serve Jesus, try your best to overcome the sins of your flesh, and seek God with all your heart, you are not a hypocrite. Take heart, boldly proclaim God’s word, and go forth in complete confidence of your gifts and calling despite your emotions of feeling not good enough. We are all a work in progress until we reach heaven. We can always be confident that God’s grace and mercy never lose their power to cover our sins.

Jesus’ righteousness makes us holy, not our own, nor does it come from our perfect work of faith.  His perfect work was accomplished on a cross, and it is not of ourselves. Our righteousness is as filthy rags even on our best days when we succeed in doing all we have been called to do. And friend, God works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.  We can do nothing on our own. 

In an attempt to shine the light upon our failures through the word hypocrite, we instead are taking the spotlight off the One who died for us to overcome them. We allow the word hypocrite to fly over us like a banner when the only banner that is supposed to fly over us is the love and power of Jesus. God has promised to be the author and finisher of our faith and not leave us undone. We ought to gratefully accept His wonderful gifts of restoration and redemption when we fall short and keep pressing forward.

We all will have times when we need to step back to seek God more intimately, pray, and rest.

But we never need to step back because we feel that if we proclaim the truth of God’s word while pressing through negative voices and self-doubt, we are coming across as better than we are. Speak the word of God boldly first to yourself and then to others. You may find that speaking it through the times you feel like you are failing and falling short will be what gives you the power to gain victory over your flesh. We overcome through the word of the Lord and our testimony.

It is time to speak even louder and proclaim your faith from the rooftops instead of becoming quiet when you struggle to hold on to it.

It is time to glorify the name of Jesus even more through the gifts and talents He has given you instead of stepping away from your calling and throwing in the towel.

When we sit back and use the word hypocrite to stop living out our calling, we allow the enemy to stop the work God is doing in our lives and the lives of others through our obedience.

Let’s flip the script on the enemy. The next time, he tries to convince you that you are a hypocrite. You need to step back, remind him and yourself of Proverbs 24: 15-16, “Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”

When you fall, share with others how grace helped you get back up and try again, but don’t stop proclaiming God’s word and give place to the enemy to plunder the bounty of blessings God has planned for you.

Adjust your crown when needed, but never back down. Never forget that you are worthy because Jesus died to make you worthy. Continue to stand tall, daughter of God.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Help us walk boldly in our callings using the gifts you have given us to glorify your Son. Forgive us when we fall short and help us freely accept your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Please give us the wisdom to recognize every lie of the enemy that tries to deceive us. Help us not allow the enemy to make us afraid we aren’t worthy enough to speak your word when we struggle to overcome our flesh and stand firm in obedience. By your strength, we are more than conquerors. Help us boldly declare your word as truth to ourselves and others at all times, being instant in and out of season.  For by your word, we are set free and gain victory.  We are never labeled a hypocrite for trying our best, but you call us worthy and your beloved daughters. In Jesus’ name. Amen