Is it my job as a Christian to tell people they are wrong??

Animelover93 said:

For some reason I feel pressured to tell my Christian friends that they are wrong for believing certain things to not be sinful. As a Christian, would I be disappointing God if I was just ok with them believing what they want? Shouldn't I tell them God's truth, regardless of what they're truth is, and regardless if they want to hear it or not??
I don't want to cause arguments, but I also don't want my friends to believe a lie. Shouldn't I just pray for them instead of trying to convince them they are wrong? I fear if I don't try to convince them otherwise, and argue about it, then I'm not being a good Christian, and that I don't really love them. It's crazy, I know. But some preachers make it seem that way. Some preachers come off really judgmental and hateful. I don't know what's real anymore. I do know the bible says "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful" 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.
I feel like I'm not following that bible verse at all, but I see preachers do the same thing. I just fear God will hate me if I don't tell my friend the truth. I feel like I'm going to hell if I don't tell the truth. Isn't there a way I can stand for God's truth without causing an argument?? I'm sorry for the long post. I just needed to get this out. I'm absolutely terrified of not living up to God's standards. My faith is 100% run by fear of what others think. I just want to be a good Christian, but don't know how

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Jesus and many believers got killed over this issue. I lost most friends and family over it. But I sleep well.

If your friends ask, show them through scripture how God has guided you. However, be aware that in some cases you yourself will be wrong and they may be right. Are you open to them showing you your mistake through scripture?
Apart from that it's between them and God, it really isn't your place to be putting forth what you see as sin in their life but rather you should focus on your own sin.
The only time it is appropriate to judge would be if they are running for a position in the church you attend.
If what they are doing is truly sinful then God needs to show them.

It's not up to you to force God's truth upon other Christians unasked for. They have to be seeking.

Matthew 7:3-5

3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
Have you examined yourself? You want to be very sure of your own life before making comment in someone else's.

If your own faith is running 100% on fear then what you are trying to do with them isn't being done in love and we should always strive to treat each other with love.
1 John 4:18
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
This is what you should be focusing on, yourself and your own fear before you go trying to fix up others.
Pray for them by all means, but if they are snared in sin they need to come to this realization themselves through the Holy Spirit.

Animelover93 said:

For some reason I feel pressured to tell my Christian friends that they are wrong for believing certain things to not be sinful.

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That would be kind of pointless.

The gospel needs to be communicated in words that people can understand; you can't create a sense of sin simply by telling people "that's sinful."

I am always very careful when it comes to telling someone about something they are doing wrong. When I speak to them about the speck in their eye, usually they are more than capable of exposing the plank in my own.

Sometimes our silence speaks louder than our words.

Animelover93 said:

For some reason I feel pressured to tell my Christian friends that they are wrong for believing certain things to not be sinful. As a Christian, would I be disappointing God if I was just ok with them believing what they want? Shouldn't I tell them God's truth, regardless of what they're truth is, and regardless if they want to hear it or not??
I don't want to cause arguments, but I also don't want my friends to believe a lie. Shouldn't I just pray for them instead of trying to convince them they are wrong? I fear if I don't try to convince them otherwise, and argue about it, then I'm not being a good Christian, and that I don't really love them. It's crazy, I know. But some preachers make it seem that way. Some preachers come off really judgmental and hateful. I don't know what's real anymore. I do know the bible says "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful" 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.
I feel like I'm not following that bible verse at all, but I see preachers do the same thing. I just fear God will hate me if I don't tell my friend the truth. I feel like I'm going to hell if I don't tell the truth. Isn't there a way I can stand for God's truth without causing an argument?? I'm sorry for the long post. I just needed to get this out. I'm absolutely terrified of not living up to God's standards. My faith is 100% run by fear of what others think. I just want to be a good Christian, but don't know how

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At some point in your life someone showed you the way and you are better for it. If nobody says anything to your friends how will they ever know? Lead by example and spread the word as you go.

Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven

Animelover93 said:

For some reason I feel pressured to tell my Christian friends that they are wrong for believing certain things to not be sinful. As a Christian, would I be disappointing God if I was just ok with them believing what they want? Shouldn't I tell them God's truth, regardless of what they're truth is, and regardless if they want to hear it or not??

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Jesus taught: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, they will turn and attack you. Do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, they will crush them underfoot". I hate to tell you this, but there are a number of pigs and dogs in disguise in the Christian world who might come across as pious and righteous, but as soon as you tell them they are wrong about something they will come at you with claws out!

I don't want to cause arguments, but I also don't want my friends to believe a lie. Shouldn't I just pray for them instead of trying to convince them they are wrong? I fear if I don't try to convince them otherwise, and argue about it, then I'm not being a good Christian, and that I don't really love them. It's crazy, I know. But some preachers make it seem that way. Some preachers come off really judgmental and hateful. I don't know what's real anymore.

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When we die, ALL of us are going to have to give an account of our lives to God, whether we are laypeople or followers. That includes preachers. They are just human too like the rest of us, and they don't always have the answers for everyone.

I do know the bible says "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful" 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.

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The Bible is correct. There are many "Christians" who speak with the tongues of angels, but yet they do not understand love. They worship the scriptures more than they love people. And yes, God will deal with them in his own time.

I feel like I'm not following that bible verse at all, but I see preachers do the same thing. I just fear God will hate me if I don't tell my friend the truth. I feel like I'm going to hell if I don't tell the truth. Isn't there a way I can stand for God's truth without causing an argument??

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What is the incident that you are trying to confront your friends with? Just because you see unloving preachers spewing fire and brimstone, it doesn't mean you should copy them. You will not go to hell for telling the truth. The Bible states "Love DELIGHTS in truth".

I'm sorry for the long post. I just needed to get this out. I'm absolutely terrified of not living up to God's standards. My faith is 100% run by fear of what others think. I just want to be a good Christian, but don't know how

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Dispense with the concept of God being an angry, jealous, avenging being towards you. It is toxic. God is someone who is FOR you, not against you. Also, stop worrying what other people think of you. That is the first step to being a good Christian. You will encounter people who will challenge your faith whether they be Christians or non-Christians at some time in your life. Only YOU know your truth, nobody else. Stop being a people pleaser, say your piece and then leave others to their own thoughts. If they won't listen to you and act on your advice, then shake the dust off your feet and move on to another community where you will be loved, respected and accepted.

That's the best advice I can give to you. Good luck to you!

Dave L said:

Jesus and many believers got killed over this issue. I lost most friends and family over it. But I sleep well.

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Jesus didn't get killed because He was telling people how wrong they were.

Jesus (and disciples) got killed for spreading the message that God stands ready to forgive and accept you into His family.

It was the Pharisees who killed Jesus who were into telling people how wrong they are ...

Matthew 23

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: 2 “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

A_Thinker said:

Jesus didn't get killed because they were telling people how wrong they were.

Jesus (and disciples) got killed for spreading the message that God stands ready to forgive and accept you into His family.

It was the Pharisees who killed Jesus who were into telling people how wrong they are ...

Matthew 23

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: 2 “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

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Doesn't the gospel convict of sin? Most of my problems are in telling Christians they are wrong.

Animelover93 said:

For some reason I feel pressured to tell my Christian friends that they are wrong for believing certain things to not be sinful. As a Christian, would I be disappointing God if I was just ok with them believing what they want? Shouldn't I tell them God's truth, regardless of what they're truth is, and regardless if they want to hear it or not??
I don't want to cause arguments, but I also don't want my friends to believe a lie. Shouldn't I just pray for them instead of trying to convince them they are wrong? I fear if I don't try to convince them otherwise, and argue about it, then I'm not being a good Christian, and that I don't really love them. It's crazy, I know. But some preachers make it seem that way. Some preachers come off really judgmental and hateful. I don't know what's real anymore. I do know the bible says "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful" 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.
I feel like I'm not following that bible verse at all, but I see preachers do the same thing. I just fear God will hate me if I don't tell my friend the truth. I feel like I'm going to hell if I don't tell the truth. Isn't there a way I can stand for God's truth without causing an argument?? I'm sorry for the long post. I just needed to get this out. I'm absolutely terrified of not living up to God's standards. My faith is 100% run by fear of what others think. I just want to be a good Christian, but don't know how

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It's not your job to show people how wrong they are. If it were, ... you could spend every waking moment doing so ... and not achieve a solitary thing. It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict the world, ... and the individual, of sin.

It is our job to show the LOVE of Christ ... in everything that we do ... so that people can tell that we are different from the worldly crowd ... and better for it ...

A_Thinker said:

It's not your job to show people how wrong they are. If it were, ... you could spend every waking moment doing so ... and not achieve a solitary thing. It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict the world, ... and the individual, of sin.

It is our job to show the LOVE of Christ ... in everything that we do ... so that people can tell that we are different from the worldly crowd ... and better for it ...

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Loving people speaks the truth about their sins so they repent.

Dave L said:

Doesn't the gospel convict of sin?

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The Law convicts of sin. As Romans 7:7 says "... Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'"

What the Gospel does is give the solution for sin.

For people who were not brought up on the Law, a sense of sin has to be awakened somehow, or else one has to focus the presentation of the Gospel on the things that go along with sin: loneliness, brokenness, feelings of worthlessness, etc.

Dave L said:

Loving people speaks the truth about their sins so they repent.

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Repentance relies on people seeing a conflict between what they do and what they should do. Without a sense of sin, people cannot see that.

Dave L said:

Doesn't the gospel convict of sin? Most of my problems are in telling Christians they are wrong.

Click to expand...

The gospel message PRESUMES that EVERYONE IS WRONG ... no particular need to point it out. The core of the gospel is about God's REMEDY for our lack of righteousness ... not to unnecessarily call attention to it.

Consider who Jesus called out for their sin ... the hypocritical Pharisees and religious leaders, those that conducted capitalism in the Temple, the self-righteous, etc.

Jesus did not make it a point to point out the particular sinfulness of those He met and ministered to. In fact, Jesus spent a lot of His time with those considered "sinful" in His day ...

Matthew 9

10 And it came to pass, as he lay at table in the house, that behold, many tax-gatherers and sinners came and lay at table with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And the Pharisees seeing [it], said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax-gatherers and sinners?

12 But [Jesus] hearing it, said, They that are strong have not need of a physician, but those that are ill. 13 But go and learn what [that] is -- I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I have not come to call righteous [men] but sinners.

Dave L said:

Most of my problems are in telling Christians they are wrong.

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I agree. I have won more arguments over the years by smiling and saying nothing, much more than I have by opening my mouth!
Usually when I start telling people they are wrong, I get into serious trouble!

A_Thinker said:

In fact, Jesus spent a lot of time with those considered "sinful" in His day ...

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Exactly. They were Jewish (or, in the case of the woman in John 4, Samaritan), which meant that they knew the Law, and they were "sinners," which means that they felt the conflict within themselves already.

What Jesus told them was that if they believed in Him, their sins would be forgiven.

Animelover93 said:

For some reason I feel pressured to tell my Christian friends that they are wrong for believing certain things to not be sinful. As a Christian, would I be disappointing God if I was just ok with them believing what they want? Shouldn't I tell them God's truth, regardless of what they're truth is, and regardless if they want to hear it or not??
I don't want to cause arguments, but I also don't want my friends to believe a lie. Shouldn't I just pray for them instead of trying to convince them they are wrong? I fear if I don't try to convince them otherwise, and argue about it, then I'm not being a good Christian, and that I don't really love them. It's crazy, I know. But some preachers make it seem that way. Some preachers come off really judgmental and hateful. I don't know what's real anymore. I do know the bible says "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful" 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.
I feel like I'm not following that bible verse at all, but I see preachers do the same thing. I just fear God will hate me if I don't tell my friend the truth. I feel like I'm going to hell if I don't tell the truth. Isn't there a way I can stand for God's truth without causing an argument?? I'm sorry for the long post. I just needed to get this out. I'm absolutely terrified of not living up to God's standards. My faith is 100% run by fear of what others think. I just want to be a good Christian, but don't know how

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There's a time for everything under the Son. Sometimes, you do need to at least suggest to your friends whom you think may be erring that they may want to reconsider how they're going about doing what they're doing. Say what you need to say and then be done with it, especially if they don't want to talk about it further. At that point, you've done you're part, and the rest is up to them to consider and reconsider.

And that's that.

Animelover93 said:

For some reason I feel pressured to tell my Christian friends that they are wrong for believing certain things to not be sinful. As a Christian, would I be disappointing God if I was just ok with them believing what they want? Shouldn't I tell them God's truth, regardless of what they're truth is, and regardless if they want to hear it or not??
I don't want to cause arguments, but I also don't want my friends to believe a lie. Shouldn't I just pray for them instead of trying to convince them they are wrong? I fear if I don't try to convince them otherwise, and argue about it, then I'm not being a good Christian, and that I don't really love them. It's crazy, I know. But some preachers make it seem that way. Some preachers come off really judgmental and hateful. I don't know what's real anymore. I do know the bible says "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful" 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.
I feel like I'm not following that bible verse at all, but I see preachers do the same thing. I just fear God will hate me if I don't tell my friend the truth. I feel like I'm going to hell if I don't tell the truth. Isn't there a way I can stand for God's truth without causing an argument?? I'm sorry for the long post. I just needed to get this out. I'm absolutely terrified of not living up to God's standards. My faith is 100% run by fear of what others think. I just want to be a good Christian, but don't know how

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You should tell your Christian friends they are wrong. If they want to argue just point them to a scripture and if they don't like it you must challenge them on that and get to the origin of those ideas which are founded on other religious belief systems such as post modernism, atheism and satanism for that matter.

Your faith should be run by what God thinks of you and not others. Letting others define your faith is dangerous, since it can lead you to pleasing others instead of God, although fearing to give Christianity a bad name is justified. Just make sure you're not a hypocrite and do those good things all the time and not just in front of others.

God bless you and I pray that you will find the peace in Christ that surpasses all understanding that you will not worry what people thing of you or even friends rejecting you.

Animelover93 said:

For some reason I feel pressured to tell my Christian friends that they are wrong for believing certain things to not be sinful. As a Christian, would I be disappointing God if I was just ok with them believing what they want? Shouldn't I tell them God's truth, regardless of what they're truth is, and regardless if they want to hear it or not??
I don't want to cause arguments, but I also don't want my friends to believe a lie. Shouldn't I just pray for them instead of trying to convince them they are wrong? I fear if I don't try to convince them otherwise, and argue about it, then I'm not being a good Christian, and that I don't really love them. It's crazy, I know. But some preachers make it seem that way. Some preachers come off really judgmental and hateful. I don't know what's real anymore. I do know the bible says "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful" 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.
I feel like I'm not following that bible verse at all, but I see preachers do the same thing. I just fear God will hate me if I don't tell my friend the truth. I feel like I'm going to hell if I don't tell the truth. Isn't there a way I can stand for God's truth without causing an argument?? I'm sorry for the long post. I just needed to get this out. I'm absolutely terrified of not living up to God's standards. My faith is 100% run by fear of what others think. I just want to be a good Christian, but don't know how

Click to expand...

Yes, we should tell people when they are wrong but, they may accuse us of being judgemental.

Oh well.

Sometimes best to let them know and other times best to leave them up to God.

M

A_Thinker said:

The gospel message PRESUMES that EVERYONE IS WRONG ... no particular need to point it out. The core of the gospel is about God's REMEDY for our lack of righteousness ... not to unnecessarily call attention to it.

Consider who Jesus called out for their sin ... the hypocritical Pharisees and religious leaders, those that conducted capitalism in the Temple, the self-righteous, etc.

Jesus did not make it a point to point out the particular sinfulness of those He met and ministered to. In fact, Jesus spent a lot of His time with those considered "sinful" in His day ...

Matthew 9

10 And it came to pass, as he lay at table in the house, that behold, many tax-gatherers and sinners came and lay at table with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And the Pharisees seeing [it], said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax-gatherers and sinners?

12 But [Jesus] hearing it, said, They that are strong have not need of a physician, but those that are ill. 13 But go and learn what [that] is -- I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I have not come to call righteous [men] but sinners.

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Jesus spent lots of time proving people are sinful while preaching the gospel. How good do you look in his presence?