Unlikely Instruments: Why Christians Should Listen to Hypocrites

Jesus commands that we listen to the words of the “Pharisees” who speak into our lives. This may come as a shock or just seem utterly ridiculous to you. The conventional wisdom says that we don’t have to listen to a hypocrite until their words fully align with their practice. In other words, if someone rebukes you regarding something they too are guilty of you can reject it since they are not consistent in their own practice. If you are married I am sure you are tracking with me but just in case others are not let me provide two theoretical examples: 

Example 1

John Doe: I think you are making a bad decision because you are blinded by your pride.

Jim Doe: What? You are the most prideful person I know! Where do you get off criticizing me?

Example 2

Wife: I think you are being way too harsh on your sister for not getting your mom a birthday card.

Husband: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Every time your brother makes even the smallest mistake you are on his case like wet on water! So back off your brother and I’ll back off my sister. Geeeezzzz, you’re such a hypocrite!

Do these exchanges sound even remotely familiar? I hear them all the time. Matter of fact, I am on both sides of them a quite often. Now, I think Jim and the husband’s idea that they do not have to listen to their hypocritical counterparts comes from a misapplication Matthew 7:3-5:

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

It is always important that you note who is being addressed in passage of Scripture. Jesus is instructing the giver of hypocritical criticism not the receiver. He is not saying to the receiver, “You should not listen to the words of hypocrite.” He is just telling the giver to tend to his own sin before they lend a helping hand to their friend. This passage is most definitely for Jim and the wife. They need to practice what they preach. However, I still maintain that this passage cannot be twisted by their counterparts to get out of receiving what might be a very valuable correction. They still must listen to hypocrites.

We cannot play favorites with passages in the Bible. Our theology must seek to integrate all of God’s Word into our practice. You see, Jim and the husband can quote Mattew 7:3-5 but do they know what Jesus said just a few chapters later in 23:2-3? I doubt it. If they did they would be quick to listen and slow to speak. Listen to what our Lord said:

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,  so practice and observe whatever they tell you—but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice.”

The problem with the Pharisees was not so much what they said but how they lived. This is why Jesus said do what they say but do not emulate their practice.  Consequently, you can see where Jim and the husband went wrong in our examples. I hope we will learn from their mistake. A truly humble man can receive correction from a child, the opposite sex, and even a hypocrite. Stop avoiding correction with the misapplication of Scripture. Listen to the Pharisees in your life. God will use the most unlikely instruments to make us more like Jesus.