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

Radagast said:

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.

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Loving others as your self damns everyone except Christ and is the basis of the Gospel.

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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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Testify about what you believe, don't focus your attention on them unless they ask you specifically about something.


1 Peter 3:15
Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope you possess. But respond with gentleness and respect,

Dave L said:

Loving others as your self damns everyone except Christ and is the basis of the Gospel.

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Maybe so, but for someone who doesn't know that they should, they won't realise that it damns them.

Also, the Gospel is the "good news." The "bad news" has to come first.

Radagast said:

Maybe so, but for someone who doesn't know that they should, they won't realise that it damns them.

Also, the Gospel is the "good news." The "bad news" has to come first.

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It does as soon as you tell them to give all their money to the poor.

Dave L said:

It does as soon as you tell them to give all their money to the poor.

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You're not understanding me. Why would an atheist believe that they should give all their money to the poor?

Plus the whole "give all your money to the poor" argument comes across as rather hypocritical if you don't do it yourself.

Radagast said:

Also, the Gospel is the "good news." The "bad news" has to come first.

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That's the bottom line. Letting them know that they are sinners. Not a message that always gains us friends.

One guy who claims to be a Christian often drops in public settings God's name in vane. I confronted him one day regarding this and he denied it. After some thought he said, that it might have happened and he needs to be more careful. In my presence he has done the same since our discussion.

I did my part (once).
I leave these ones to God.
Maybe a rude awakening later?

M

Radagast said:

You're not understanding me. Why would an atheist believe that they should give all their money to the poor?

Plus the whole "give all your money to the poor" argument comes across as rather hypocritical if you don't do it yourself.

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It proves how wicked they are. They cannot treat others as their equal as love demands of them.

Dave L said:

It does as soon as you tell them to give all their money to the poor.

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Sure sounds good but,
do any of us know anyone who has ever done that?

Just another area in which we fall short.

Please have mercy on us God.

M

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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If they are of God, then sharpening each other's iron should be a norm as as brothers and sisters in the faith, we are call to tarry one for another. You shouldn't be scared to remind them on what God's heart on the matters. It should be like telling a friend that they have a stained shirt and they need to change it, and them saying "yeah that's true" and them changing the shirt, or maybe they are a little stubborn but eventually come around, like siblings lol. Ideally that's how simple the conversation should be, and that's the relationship we are called to have, walking in love. It doesn't need to be an argument. But if it turns to one, one of three things would be a factor.

1. Sharpening each other's iron, or holding each other accountable is not a norm for you and your friends. In which there needs to be an individual check-up as well as a conversation on how to check one another.
2. They don't want to walk in discipleship in which all you can do is remind and pray. You can't change that. But be with those that are walking in discipleship.
3. They are not use to you holding them accountable or it haven't be effective in the past, or that you don't have that much of a relationship with them that they would be willing to hear,in which maybe having a conversation on how to better approach with a trusted mentor or elder would be needed. Also just taking note on how you're expressing it. And communicate it with the friends on how to move forward.

All in all, God's standards is not for you to be perfect 24/7, you will never be ever. God's standard is to believe and trust Jesus. Your faith is on Jesus. That Jesus is in control. Every conversation no matter needs to start and end with that. The fear is coming from trying to take on every result and reaction on yourself, or caring how others do it to see how you can approach it. But the faith will come from trusting Jesus on the result and reaction. Maybe what you think that will look like is going to be completely different from what will actually happen. But as long as you are putting faith in Jesus, it will always be good. Not because you did it perfectly, but because Jesus is in it.

Its an ongoing process walking in faith, we will til we die always be growing in faith. I pray much for you, be encouraged.

Dave L said:

It proves how wicked they are. They cannot treat others as their equal as love demands of them.

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It proves it to you maybe, but it doesn't prove it to them.

Radagast said:

It proves it to you maybe, but it doesn't prove it to them.

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It worked on the rich young ruler.

Mountainmanbob said:

One guy who claims to be a Christian often drops in public settings God's name in vane. I confronted him one day regarding this and he denied it. After some thought he said, that it might have happened and he needs to be more careful. In my presence he has done the same since our discussion.

I did my part (once).
I leave these ones to God.
Maybe a rude awakening later?

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You can't actually point out to people that they are sinful.

What you can do (which is what your story seems to reflect) is point out an inconsistency between the standard that people claim to have, and how they actually behave.

Because then they have to either admit their shortcomings or change their behaviour.

Dave L said:

It worked on the rich young ruler.

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Yes, but he was already a deeply religious Jew. He already had the Law inside him.

Luke 18:19-21: “And Jesus said to him, ‘... You know the commandments: “Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.”’ And he said, ‘All these I have kept from my youth.’”

You're not understanding me. Why would an atheist believe that they should give all their money to the poor?

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Dave L said:

It worked on the rich young ruler.

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Was he an atheist? Well, no.

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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Would you want people to tell you when you are speaking falsely or doing what is wrong?

Mark 4:24 (WEB) He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear.“

It is a grievous thing to tell people who are speaking the truth that they are speaking fake news.

dqhall said:

Would you want people to tell you when you are speaking falsely or doing what is wrong?






Mark 4:24 (WEB) He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear.“

It is a grievous thing to tell people who are speaking the truth that they are speaking fake news.

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I've told my Pastor, Elders, Decon and Church brothers to please confront me if they see me running a muck.

Probably only came with age
and a growing sickness of sin.
Still far from perfect -- very far.
M

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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I would say that in a general sense, yes we need to do it, as the Bible tells us:
Ezekiel 33: 8 If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to dissuade him from his way, then that wicked man will die in his iniquity, yet I will hold you accountable for his blood. 9But if you warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from it, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life.

But be very careful as we value different sins differently. So if they found you believe they are sinning but they also see you are in certain sin and cares less, people will get angry. So try your best not to be emotional, just point to the Bible and if they don't believe, "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet." Matthew 10:14

Lastly we got to make sure we show compassion to each other's sin, as we are all sinners, and we are saved by grace and faith alone.

Albion said:

Was he an atheist? Well, no.

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Worse. Atheists are closer to the kingdom not knowing anything about God than many who think they know him.

Radagast said:

Yes, but he was already a deeply religious Jew. He already had the Law inside him.

Luke 18:19-21: “And Jesus said to him, ‘... You know the commandments: “Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.”’ And he said, ‘All these I have kept from my youth.’”

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= he was further from God than any atheist.