Some time ago, a medical student shared something that struck me deeply. He described a dynamic that, sadly, seems all too common in some medical teams. A middle-range doctor, such as a medical officer, may speak harshly to a house officer when out of sight of the consultant. But once the consultant is present, the same medical officer suddenly becomes kind, even supportive, towards the very junior they had just belittled.
The student recounted how he was about to present a case, only to be snapped at by the medical officer. Thankfully, a house officer stood up for him, suggesting that the student be allowed to present, and he got the opportunity. But the incident left him feeling the sting of hypocrisy.
Hearing this made my heart ache. I may be far removed from those junior ranks now, but I cannot ignore the reality that there is a kind of “dirty play” going on in the shadows. Consultants may be oblivious, or worse—this might even be how some survived in the system.
The Bible has a word for this: hypocrisy. To act one way in front of others, and another way in secret. And tragically, the ones who suffer most are the juniors caught in between.
When You Are the Victim
1. God Sees What Others Don’t
Even when no consultant sees, God sees. He knows every harsh word spoken behind closed doors and every tear shed quietly. Psalm 56:8 reminds us that God records our sorrows and collects our tears in His bottle. Your pain matters to Him.
2. This Season Will Pass
Medicine is built on rotations and postings. Each season eventually ends. While this doesn’t erase the pain, Ecclesiastes teaches us that to everything there is a season. Today’s suffering will not last forever. The Lord will carry you through each transition.
3. Your Worth Is in Christ
Your value is not determined by how a medical officer treats you. It is secure in Jesus Christ, who loved you and gave Himself for you (Gal. 2:20). Human approval rises and falls; God’s love is unchanging.
4. Community Matters
We are not meant to endure this alone. If you are struggling, reach out. Brothers and sisters in Christ—and even compassionate peers—can walk alongside you. The system may not change overnight, but community can remind us where our true hope lies.
This leaves us with a deeper question: when hypocrisy surfaces in our working environments, what hope is there for the victim—and what truths confront the perpetrator?
👉 How should the Christian think about this?
— ✂️ CUT FOR SUBSTACK ✂️ —
When You Are the Perpetrator
1. God Sees Your Actions Too
It is self-deception to believe that hiding your harshness from consultants hides it from God. “Nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest” (Luke 8:17). Judgment is real and certain unless there is repentance.
2. Examine Yourself with Humility
Sometimes harshness springs from unprocessed stress or insecurity. But Scripture calls us to examine our hearts (2 Cor. 13:5). A humble question—“Have I been too harsh?”—can open the door to change. Without humility, blindness persists.
3. The Truth Will Find You Out
Hypocrisy has a short shelf life. Eventually, colleagues or patients will see through it. Even if you succeed outwardly, Jesus’ warning remains: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
The Larger Frame
- Hypocrisy is not new. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for outward appearances that masked inward rot.
- Justice belongs to God. He will bring every hidden thing into the light (Eccl. 12:14).
- Hope is still offered. For the hurting, Christ is a refuge. For the sinner, Christ offers forgiveness. For both, He offers a better way.
It pains me to hear such stories from young medical students. Yet perhaps these very moments remind us of why the gospel matters so much. God sees, God cares, and God calls both victims and perpetrators to Himself. That truth sustains us in the shadows and can transform even the darkest corners of our medical culture.