The Dangers of Pride, Fear & Hypocrisy

In our walk with Christ, we often encounter challenges that test the authenticity of our faith. Two particularly insidious threats to genuine Christianity are legalism and progressivism. While these may seem like opposite extremes, they share common roots in pride, fear, and hypocrisy. Today, let's explore these dangers and how we can guard against them in our spiritual lives.

The Motivation of Pride

Legalism, at its core, is often motivated by pride. Those who insist on additional requirements beyond faith in Christ for salvation are frequently driven by a desire to "make a good showing in the flesh" (Galatians 6:12). This mindset elevates personal standards and preferences to the level of Scripture, leading to a dangerous self-importance.

Consider the gruesome story from 1 Samuel 18, where Saul demanded 100 Philistine foreskins as a bride price for his daughter. Similarly, legalists in the early church were metaphorically collecting "Gentile foreskins" as trophies of their success, using these conquests to gain prominence and influence.

This pride-driven approach is a stark warning for us today. How often do we elevate our interpretations and preferences to the level of Scripture? Do we sometimes convince ourselves that we "do it better" than others, to the point of questioning their salvation if they differ from us? We must be vigilant against baptizing our pride and calling it religious zeal.

The scripture reminds us that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Pride is listed among the things God hates in Proverbs 6:16-19. As believers, we must constantly examine our hearts and motivations, ensuring we're not falling into the trap of spiritual pride.

The Motivation of Fear

On the other side of the spectrum, progressivism is often motivated by fear – fear of persecution, rejection, or being seen as intolerant. This fear can lead to compromising the truth of the gospel to appear more palatable to the world.

We see this fear at work even in the early church. In Galatians 2:11-14, Peter withdrew from eating with Gentiles when certain Jews arrived, fearing their judgment. This fear was so powerful it even influenced Barnabas to follow suit.

Modern progressive Christianity often capitalizes on the desire to be seen as good, well-received, and liked. It may try to play both sides, hanging onto just enough of the gospel to use Jesus' name while making concessions to worldly ideologies. However, this approach, while seeming loving on the surface, can rob people of the chance to truly repent and believe the full gospel.

As followers of Christ, we must be wary of the concessions we make out of fear of what others might think. Our chief concern should be pleasing the One who called us, regardless of the cost. Jesus himself warned us to count the cost of following Him (Luke 14:25-33). Are we willing to be bold about our faith in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and social circles, even if it means facing rejection or persecution?

The Danger of Hypocrisy

Both legalism and progressivism often lead to hypocrisy. They tend to focus intensely on what others are doing while neglecting their own spiritual condition. As Galatians 6:13 points out, even those insisting on circumcision weren't keeping the whole law themselves.

This mirrors Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees, who were meticulous about external observances but neglected the weightier matters of the law (Matthew 23:23-28). They were like whitewashed tombs – beautiful on the outside but full of death and corruption within.

The danger of hypocrisy lies in its focus on external conformity rather than heart transformation. It creates a façade of spirituality that may impress others but does nothing to address the real issues of the heart. As Colossians 2:23 reminds us, these external regulations "have indeed an appearance of wisdom... but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh."

Guarding Against These Dangers

So how do we protect ourselves and our faith communities from these pitfalls? The answer lies in Galatians 5:24 – "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

1. Crucify Pride: We must daily put to death our desire for self-importance and recognition. Our self-importance must be nailed to the cross of Christ.

2. Overcome Fear: The fear of what others think must die. We need to cultivate a deep trust in God that overcomes our fear of man's opinion.

3. Eliminate Double Standards: We must be vigilant against having expectations for others that we don't apply to ourselves. A commitment to a consistent rule of life can help here.

4. Focus on Heart Transformation: Instead of fixating on external conformity, we need to allow the Holy Spirit time to apply grace and sanctify us from the inside out.

5. Rest in Christ's Accomplishment: Ultimately, we must choose to rest in the gospel of divine accomplishment by faith alone in Jesus alone, rather than holding to a form of godliness that has no power.

As we reflect on these truths, we're faced with a choice. Will we hold to a form of godliness that has no power because it rests in the achievements of our flesh and covers up our sin and pride? Or will we rest in the gospel of divine accomplishment by faith alone in Jesus alone?

We can't have it both ways. As Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24). Our allegiance cannot be divided. We must nail our pride, our fear of man, and our hypocrisy to the cross and choose to rest in what God has done for us through Christ.

This journey of faith isn't easy, but it's worth it. As we crucify our flesh daily and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out, we'll find ourselves growing in authentic, powerful faith that truly reflects the heart of Christ. May we have the courage to examine our hearts, confront our pride and fears, and live out a genuine faith that rests entirely on the finished work of Jesus Christ.