When Holiness Becomes Hypocrisy: A Call Back to the Fruit of the Spirit
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”
— Matthew 23:25 (NIV)
The Holiness Movement began as a powerful spiritual revival, rooted in a desire to live in deeper connection with Christ and to reflect the purity of the Holy Spirit. But over time, parts of the movement drifted. What was once a heart cry for transformation became a checklist of superficial standards.
Don’t wear that.
Don’t go there.
Don’t drink this.
Don’t say that.
You could follow all the “don’ts” and still not look anything like Jesus.
The Real Danger?
These “don’ts” often creates a culture of fear, shame, and performance—where people measure holiness by how well they hide their humanity rather than how honestly, they walk with Jesus.
None of these things, by themselves, draw us closer to God. As Paul said:
“Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom… but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”
— Colossians 2:23 (NIV)
The real lesson is this, if it makes you feel better than others or leads to an excessive lifestyle, for example if I drink too much and cannot control it, I shouldn’t drink. Similarly If I wear certain clothing and it takes my heart away from God, then I shouldn’t do that. It is my personal connection to God that is important.
Jesus Made Wine—And He Made It Good
Let’s start with the obvious contradiction. One of the most condemned behaviors in legalistic holiness circles is drinking alcohol. And yet, Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding (John 2:1-11). Not just any wine—good wine.
“Everyone brings out the choice wine first… but you have saved the best till now.”
— John 2:10 (NIV)
Jesus wasn’t worried about appearances; He was present where life was happening. He dined with sinners (Luke 5:30), spoke to a Samaritan woman (John 4), and healed on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17).
I will say it again; Jesus wasn’t worried about appearances; He was present where life was happening.
- He dined with sinners (Luke 5:30) — In a time when sharing a meal was a declaration of social and spiritual solidarity, Jesus sat at tables that made religious leaders gasp. Tax collectors and prostitutes were considered spiritually contaminated, but Jesus broke bread with them to show that grace isn’t afraid of guilt by association.
- He spoke to a Samaritan woman (John 4) — Jews and Samaritans hated each other. Add to that the scandal of a man speaking to a woman alone, and you had a situation dripping with social outrage. Yet Jesus not only spoke to her—He revealed His identity as the Messiah to her first. While religion built walls, Jesus built wells.
- He healed on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10–17) — The Sabbath was sacred, and healing was considered “work.” When Jesus healed a woman who had been crippled for 18 years, the synagogue leader was furious. But Jesus fired back, showing that real holiness prioritizes compassion over control.
He was consistently rejected by the religious elite not because He sinned—but because He refused to play by their shallow rules. Their version of holiness was performative, rigid, and exclusionary. Jesus exposed that. And instead of repenting, they plotted to silence Him.
Here are my favorite examples of Superficial Holiness “Don’ts” , that miss the real point-
Appearance-Based “Don’ts”
Don’t wear pants if you’re a woman
Claimed Justification: Deuteronomy 22:5 – “A woman must not wear men’s clothing…”
Why It’s Not Biblical:
This law addressed deception or pagan rituals, not style or modesty. Pants were not even worn by men in biblical times! The verse is about idol worship, not denim jeans in 2025.
Don’t wear makeup, jewelry, or nail polish
Claimed Justification: 1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Peter 3:3
Why It’s Not Biblical:
These verses speak to modesty of spirit, not a ban on adornment. They caution against vanity as a substitute for inner holiness, not beauty itself. Queen Esther wore perfume and beautified herself (Esther 2:12), and God never condemned her for it.
Don’t cut your hair (especially women)
Claimed Justification: 1 Corinthians 11:15 – “If a woman has long hair, it is her glory.”
Why It’s Not Biblical:
Paul discusses cultural norms in Corinth, not eternal commandments. Hair length was a sign of modesty and femininity in that time. The glory is in her devotion, not the inches of her hair.
Don’t wear bright or fashionable clothing
Claimed Justification: Modesty and humility
Why It’s Not Biblical:
Scripture calls for modesty, not drabness. God clothed the priests in fine linen and colorful garments (Exodus 28). Proverbs 31 praises a woman who dresses in “fine linen and purple” (Proverbs 31:22).
Entertainment & Culture “Don’ts”
Don’t go to movies or listen to secular music
Claimed Justification: “Avoid every appearance of evil” – 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)
Why It’s Not Biblical:
The NIV renders this as “reject every kind of evil.” The verse speaks to moral discernment, not condemning entire art forms. Jesus told stories, attended weddings (John 2), and used cultural references to reach hearts. Music and storytelling are tools—it’s about content, not category.
Don’t dance
Claimed Justification: Worldly behavior
Why It’s Not Biblical:
David danced before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6:14). The Psalms even command us to praise Him with dance (Psalm 149:3). Dance is a biblical form of joy and worship, not sin.
Lifestyle “Don’ts”
Don’t drink alcohol
Claimed Justification: Proverbs 20:1, Ephesians 5:18
Why It’s Not Biblical:
Scripture warns against drunkenness, not drinking. Jesus turned water into wine (John 2), and Paul told Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach (1 Timothy 5:23). Drunkenness is a sin—not the existence of Merlot.
Don’t go to restaurants that serve alcohol
Claimed Justification: “Avoid the appearance of evil”
Why It’s Not Biblical:
Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors (Luke 5:30). He was accused of being a glutton and drunkard simply because of where He went and who He loved (Matthew 11:19). Fear of association is Pharisaical, not Christlike.
Don’t celebrate certain holidays like Halloween or Christmas
Claimed Justification: Pagan origins
Why It’s Not Biblical:
Romans 14:5–6 gives Christians freedom to observe days based on personal conviction. What matters is the heart behind the celebration, not the date on the calendar. Legalism strips joy—grace redeems it.
Language and Behavior “Don’ts”
Don’t use slang or “worldly” words
Claimed Justification: Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth (Ephesians 4:29)
Why It’s Not Biblical:
This verse calls for edifying speech, not formal grammar. Jesus used common language, sarcasm, and hard truth. It’s not about sounding holy—it’s about speaking life and meeting people where they are.
Don’t express doubt, anxiety, or emotional struggle
Claimed Justification: Lack of faith
Why It’s Not Biblical:
Even Jesus cried out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). David lamented often. The Bible is full of raw emotion, fear, and struggle. Suppressing emotion is toxic perfectionism, not holiness.
What’s the Problem?
These “don’ts” prioritize image over intimacy, rules over relationship, and fear over freedom.
Paul warned about this clearly:
“Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why… do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’?… These regulations… are based on merely human commands and teachings.”
— Colossians 2:20–22 (NIV)
The True Measure of Holiness
The Apostle Paul made it plain:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
— Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
Notice what’s not there:
- Hemlines
- Hairstyles
- Theater attendance
- Restaurant locations
- Denominational affiliation
Real holiness isn’t about how you look or what you avoid. It’s about who you are connected to.
Holiness that doesn’t flow from a relationship with Jesus becomes religious performance—and that’s exactly what Jesus rebuked.
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
— Matthew 15:8 (NIV)
You’ll Know Who’s Holy — By Their Fruit
Jesus gave us a simple test—not for judging, but for discerning what’s real:
“By their fruit you will recognize them.”
— Matthew 7:16 (NIV)
Holiness isn’t proven by appearances, what we do not do, or loud declarations. It’s revealed in the quiet power of a life that overflows with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
If someone claims holiness but lacks compassion, mercy, or humility, it’s not holiness—it’s performance.
If someone defends their doctrine but neglects the poor, excludes the hurting, or elevates tradition over truth, their fruit reveals the tree.
You don’t need spiritual x-ray vision to spot a life that walks with Jesus. Just look for the fruit. It always shows up in how we treat people.
“By These Signs Ye Shall Know Them”
Some in the church have taken pride in outward appearance, rigid rule-following, and legalistic traditions—mistaking these as signs of holiness. But Jesus never said, “By their dress code you will know them,” or “By their church attendance you will know them.”
What did He say?
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
— John 13:35 (NIV)
And again:
“By their fruit you will recognize them.”
— Matthew 7:16 (NIV)
In other words: By these signs ye shall know them—not through performance, but through love. Through Spirit-produced fruit, not shallow religion.
If a person claims holiness but spreads hate, exclusion, or self-righteousness, the signs don’t line up. Real holiness always points back to Jesus—and Jesus always points toward love, mercy, and justice.
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
— Mark 16:17–18 (NIV)
This is not a checklist to strive for—it’s the overflow of a life truly connected to the Source. The early church didn’t attract people because they wore the right clothes or avoided the local tavern. They turned the world upside down because the power of God followed them.
If what we call “holiness” never heals the hurting, never lifts the oppressed, never sets captives free, and never embodies love—then it’s not the holiness Jesus modeled. True holiness lives loud with love, moves in power, and walks in fruit.
By these signs, you shall know them.
By these signs, they shall follow Him.
Hypocrisy and Harm
Legalistic holiness doesn’t just misrepresent God—it hurts people.
When churches elevate rules over authentic relationship with God, they build walls instead of bridges. People walk away not because they reject Jesus, but because they were never truly introduced to Him. They met judgment instead of grace. Condemnation instead of compassion.
This kind of “holiness” has told women they’re unworthy because of what they wear. It’s told people struggling with addiction that they must clean themselves up before they can be loved. It’s told LGBTQ+ individuals that there’s no room for them at the table. And it’s told the poor, the divorced, the mentally ill, and the questioning that they’re “too messy” for ministry. We have told people with a past that they are not to be trusted, despite their anointing. Those who do not have the correct credentials that their call and anointing aren’t enough because they do not fit into our preconceived steps.
This is not holiness. This is real harm in holy clothing.
Instead of creating communities that look like Jesus, legalism has created echo chambers of perfectionism, pride, and fear. Churches have become so obsessed with appearing righteous that they’ve forgotten how to be real. They trade in vulnerability for image. They deny the power of grace by preaching behavior modification over spiritual transformation.
And what happens when people can no longer maintain the illusion?
They hide. They lie. They leave.
Many have deconstructed their faith not out of rebellion—but out of survival.
Let’s be clear:
- If your “holiness” causes you to look down on others instead of lifting them up, it’s hypocrisy.
- If your church culture prioritizes outward appearance over inner fruit, it’s broken.
- If your theology excludes those Jesus welcomed, it’s time for repentance—not defense.
Jesus didn’t die to make us good at pretending. He died to make us new.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
— Matthew 23:27 (NIV)
If we want to see revival, we must start with repentance—not of the world, but of the Church. We must trade performance for presence, fear for faith, exclusion for embrace.
Because nothing pushes people away from God faster than a church that talks about love but acts in pride.
Come Back to Jesus
If we are to reclaim true holiness, we must return to Jesus.
- Holiness is not avoiding sin—it’s abiding in Christ.
- Holiness is not looking perfect—it’s loving perfectly.
- Holiness is not fear-based rule-following—it’s Spirit-filled transformation.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you… apart from me you can do nothing.”
— John 15:4-5 (NIV)
A New Vision for Holiness
At 418 Ministries, we believe it’s time to reclaim holiness from the grip of performance culture and give it back to the One who is holy—Jesus Christ. Our vision is to return to the heart of holiness: love, power, truth, and Spirit-led living.
We’re not building a church culture where people have to fit in to be welcomed—we’re cultivating a Kingdom culture where people find healing, freedom, and a purpose-filled life through connection with Christ and His Spirit.
Our holiness isn’t proven by how separated we are from “the world.”
It’s proven by how deeply we are rooted in Jesus—and how much of His love spills out of us into the world.
Because true holiness doesn’t shrink back from the hurting.
It moves toward them—like Jesus did.
We envision a church where:
- Justice is worship, not just an issue.
- Mercy is the norm, not the exception.
- Grace flows freely, not conditionally.
- Power follows humility, not titles.
- The fruits of the Spirit are more important than how well someone fits in.
- The Holy Spirit is not only welcomed but integral to our worship experience
We envision holiness that:
- Stands boldly with the oppressed and marginalized (Isaiah 1:17)
- Is defined by character, not culture
- Values transformation over tradition
- Holds truth and grace in the same hand
- Looks like Jesus, loves like Jesus, lives like Jesus
- It understands that people are people and will sometimes fall, the church is a safe place to recover and stand back up
- The church is a place of deliverance, healing, and support for ALL without judgement
We are committed to Luke 4:18–19 holiness:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
— Luke 4:18–19 (NIV)
This is the kind of holiness that heals families, transforms cities, and sets people free—not by control, but by Spirit-empowered love.
We are not interested in building altars to appearances.
We are interested in hosting the presence of God.
We believe that when we embody true holiness, revival isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable. The coming revival will not be on our terms.
