In a sanctuary created for the purpose of love and joy, hate is a taboo. In a haven meant for coming broken and leaving healed, negative energy is a disease that must be sterilized immediately. In a shelter meant for unity and fellowship, battles must be reconciled at once. In a sanctum where the sole purpose of existence is for the people to come together as a community in their belief of living destiny, evil is not meant to creep in through a single fissure. However, not everything goes as it is meant to. Hatred, gossip, envy, pride, sex, greed, and drugs. These are all traits of a jail house or brothel, but to ones surprise, they can be found in many other places as well. Such traits are absurd to even think exist in a positive environment, in a well-rounded community- in a church. Unavoidably, in good there will always be bad. A church, that is supposed to be united in Christ is so divided in evil. The three distinct categories of people are so distant from one another, even though they are only feet away. The rebels and hypocrites are the largest groups embarking disgrace upon such a holy place to gather, influencing the meek numbered genuine. Will there ever be hope of sincere people?

A rebel. One who rises in opposition of authority. This group of people holds the middle section on the hierarchy of volume out of the three groups. The outspoken and uncaring people stand here, the ones who do not care about what others think of them and who do what they want, when they want. Many stereotypes can fit into this category. The females committing adultery who come to church and then leave early to go clubbing with the guys. The substance abusers who ditch church and smoke heroin in their cars. The disrespectful girl who tells her parents to shut up and leave her alone when it is time for church. The liar who sneaks out every night and gets wasted. These people influence others to follow their cruel ways by making their actions seem acceptable and lawful. Of all these horrific scenarios, they do not compare to the ones done by the hypocrites when no one is looking.

A hypocrite. One who indulges in claiming to have moral beliefs to which their own behavior does not confirm. Everyone in this world has been a hypocrite at least once in their life; however, at church is where an ever-expanding army of them stand. The main difference between a hypocrite and a rebel is that the rebel is not trying to hide what they are doing and make themselves seem like someone they are not. The rebel is straight-forward and open, but the hypocrite is a wolf in a sheep's clothing- deceiving and cunning. This category of people has the most vast amount of people confining in it. The girl who talks bad about the sluts and claims she will be a virgin until marriage, but constantly sends nude pictures to curious eyes that ask. The boy who looks down upon the druggies but secretly takes pills to ease his depression. How about the girls who always have their hands raised in church but refuse to say 'hello' to the lonely person with no friends. These people bring other people to Christ but cause them to run from their faith when they see what a 'real Christian does.' These people lead others astray, off a cliff into their doom. The category of hypocrisy consists of never-ending scenarios. It is all too familiar and all too widespread.

Sincerity. Genuineness, honesty, and freedom from duplicity. Amongst all the darkness and evil, a light of hope will always shine. Amongst the wicked flock of black sheep, a white one will stand against. Amongst a church with rebels and hypocritical teens, a handful of amazing people have a true desire to form a relationship with God. These people are the most respected and honest of all; however, the sad truth is that these well- rounded people tend to be shunned. They tend to be the less attractive people, the ones with no friends, the ones who do not say more than a simple 'hello' to those they have known for years. These people are also the ones who stand for what is right, who do not gossip, who do not give nasty looks, who cry with the broken and love the unwanted. The person that every Christian should be.

Even in the shadow of the valley of death, there is always hope. Amongst a pit of lions there is always a brave Daniel. In the land of giants there is always a bold David. Where corrupt churches stand filled with hypocrites and rebels, the sincere will never be overpowered. Scarce they are, but their honest hearts and loving motivation to serve others as well as their Lord will always yield them as untouchable to the darkness. As there is good and evil in the world, there is similarly a battle in the church. The hypocrites and rebels are always trying to find a way to tear the good people down, but the true will never fall. By faith and honesty one shall diminish their previous journey through bouncing around categories and stereotypes and will stay on the one side every member of a church should be on- the good side. Though there is few, those who make the decision to leave rebelliousness and hypocrisy behind will forever reign in the Kingdom of the Lord.