“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Isa. 29:13 & Matt. 15:8

The Barna Group recently found that more than 85% of young people outside Christianity view Christians as judgmental and hypocritical.  What is also alarming is that more than half of young people IN the church feel the same way.  Now, we can try to excuse such perceptions or write them off as the rantings of immature kids.  But the fact is that perceptions matter.  In this case, the perception that Christians do not practice what they preach has ample evidence, and we all know it.

What we must address is that perception, whether real or imagined, really does create barriers to others hearing and understanding the truth about Christ and the Gospel.  Hypocrisy is a curse for any generation, but it is especially true for our younger generations today. Curses come in many forms, but the curse of hypocrisy is so destructive because it hardens the heart.

We can break the curse with honesty and by speaking authentic, loving blessing into their lives.  Accepting responsibility for the problems around us means, not only repenting of our own sin and hypocrisy, but deliberating choosing to live like Christ with integrity, compassion and grace.  Our grandchildren may love us, but they will not hear us if our lives do not match our words.  They have been unblessed with plenty of that kind of negative example already. 

FAN THE FLAME
While hypocrisy has contributed to the curse of younger generations, authenticity and unconditional love will transform an unblessed generation into a blessed generation.  If you have teenage grandchildren, this could be a good time to write them a letter expressing praise for at least one or two special qualities you see in them.  By the way, it might also be a good thing to do for your adult children – noting positive things you see in their parenting practices and them in particular.  Words of blessing are like ointment for the soul.

GRANDPAUSE: “We cannot hope to shed our hypocritical label if our lifestyles offer no proof of the ‘fruit’ of Christlikeness.” – David Kinnaman