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

Dave L said:

Jesus spent lots of time proving people are sinful while preaching the gospel.

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When did He do that ?

Dave L said:

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

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After some thought I'm not too sure?

While here on earth
for a Christian
this is the closest he will ever be to hell
for the nonbeliever
this is the closest he will ever be to heaven.

M

Dave L said:

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

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Well, I'd disagree about that. Almost any theist has a different approach to these things as compared with an atheist. And this affects the rich young man's response. He would likely not be so concerned, as he was, about the issue if he had not been a follower of the Jewish religion.

Mountainmanbob said:

After some thought I'm not too sure?

While here on earth
for a Christian
this is the closest he will ever be to hell
for the nonbeliever
this is the closest he will ever be to heaven.

M

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So the Pharisees who crucified Christ were closer to God when he stood right in front of them? How are those who need no physician closer than those who do but don't know it?

Albion said:

Well, I'd disagree about that. Almost any theist has a different approach to these things as compared with an atheist. And this affects the rich young man's response. He would likely not be so concerned, as he was, about the issue if he had not been a follower of the Jewish religion.

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Judaism is further from God if they think they are right.

Disclaimer: I only know of what you have posted, and cannot see your life in full like God does. So I can only reply based on what you have written.

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?

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It’s important to remember that even your friends are learning (at least I hope so) the Christian life - Which is following Christ. Christ did what He did for all so that none may perish: John 3:16-27
If you are earnestly learning who Christ is then you aren’t disappointing God, but pleasing Him by allowing His Holy Spirit to educate you.

Animelover93 said:

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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God is Truth and there’s no such thing as “your truth” or “my truth” - that is deceptive. Read the Gospel and learn from Jesus, even He said at the end of some of His parables “let those who have ears to hear, let them hear.” Jesus didn’t force anyone to hear Him, but allowed for those who did hear to take it to heart - which is what God is after.

Animelover93 said:

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?

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Yes, if your friends do not hear you and do not want to hear you, pray for them. Prayer is strong.

Animelover93 said:

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.

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We are in a world full of lies and deceit, but we can be rest assured that God is true and everyone else as a liar. Believe God and all He teaches in His Word and you will do well. Know Who love is: 1 John 4 and once you know Who He is, you can mentor others in the same Grace you were given.

Animelover93 said:

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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This isn’t the love of God but a tyrannical one. This is the spirit of the anti-Christ. God is patient with us, more so than we realize.
Your fear is misdirected. It should be this: Proverbs 1:7
This means there is a healthy, Biblical fear of God - He is the Creator and all powerful God while we are so insignificant in comparison. Yet, He made us to dwell and reside in. That is love. In the beginning of Genesis it says God has the light of men and shows the He created man in love.

Get to know Who Jesus is and self check. If you know something to be true in the Spirit of what the Bible says, say so. Twice is enough, and if they don’t want to hear, don’t force it on them.

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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Prayer, Preaching, Persuasion.
Do just one or all without guilt, if led.

When we become Christians, it seems Satan changes his strategy with us. One goal appears to be to make us unappealing to the world (self-righteous, unloving, condemning, acusing, etc...) so that we can't influence it for Christ. I think we all fall into that trap at some point. It's the Holy Spirit's job to lead us into all truth (John 16:13). Our main job is to love (John 15:12, Romans 13:8, 1 John 3:11).

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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We do not teach people God’s word to condemn them, we teach the truth for edification instruction and perfection in Christ(2 Cor 1:24; Eph 4:11-16; Colossians 3:15-16; 1 Thess 5:10-11; Hebrews 3:12-12; Hebrews 10:24-25). For these reasons we teach the truth to others. We are also called to judge others, it says we are commanded to judge by the law of Christ( John 7:24; 1 Cor 2:15, 6:2-5) for it is the law we are all to be judged by(John 12:48;Romans 2:16). If by the Law of Christ we see a brother in sin, then it is a command of God that we should correct our brethren(2 Thess 3:15-16; 2 Timothy 4:2-5; James 5:19-20) showing them where they are in error(Matt 7:5). If it is an elder of the Church that is in sin, we should rebuke/accuse them before the whole Church or at the very least before two or three(1 Timothy 5:19-20).

Correcting a Brother is leading them to the Path of righteousness and Perfection in Christ’s word, that they may hold a pure doctrine(Titus 2:1,7) and be without blemish(Eph 5:27; Revelation 14:4-5). We are told we must judge those within the Church not those without(1 Cor 5:12) .


Many people love to say Judge not lest ye be Judged. (Matt 7:1-2) But of course they fail to quote the next verse. Which goes on to say, lest ye be judged by the measure in which you used to judge. Which is great. Because all will be Judged by the word of God in the Last day. So also are Christ followers to judge all things by the word of God and by the same word will they be judged. 1 Cor 2:15, 6:2-5; John 7:24

I hope this helps

Animelover93 said:

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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It's fine to give people a chance. We're called to go into all the world to preach the gospel. If your friends aren't interested in hearing it, there's plenty more out there who may be.

Animelover93 said:

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.

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You can do both; pray for them and try to talk to them about their problems. This desire to tell people they're wrong is something all humans feel to some degree; we're supposed to learn how to recognize what wrong is and when it's happening, but because it's a learning process it's easy to become self-righteous about it, which is why Jesus included some safe-guards. For example, he said we should take the beam out of our own eye, first, so that we may see clearly when taking the speck out of other's eyes. There are some built-in safe. This teaching causes us to start on the assumption that we have a bigger problem than those we want to correct. It's a good place to start because it requires humility and forces us to consider whether we've addressed our own problems first. I'm sure most of us knows what it feels like to experience hypocrisy and it's not a helpful way to communicate truth.

Another safety mechanism when it comes to judging others is to remember that we will be judged by God in the same way that we judge others. I think this is probably one of the most under appreciated teachings from Jesus as it has serious implications. If we judge others unfairly, then God will use those same unfair standards on us. If we're too hard on others, he will be too hard on us. If we leave out important information or skew the facts or just generally judge out of ignorance without due diligence to really understand the various aspects of each situation, then we will also be judged by those same standards.

If you feel some calling to rebuke your friends, that's fair enough, but when it comes to how you do it, make sure you've considered whether you're prepared to be judged by God in the same way.

There's an interesting account of the disciples wanting to take a harsh judgement on some village people. When Jesus and his followers were traveling to a remote village at night and asked to stay the night in the village, the people there rejected him. The disciples were upset with this because it meant sleeping outside in the wilderness (yes, there were times when Jesus was homeless). They asked Jesus if they should call down fire to destroy those people who had rejected him, but Jesus rebuked them by saying they had a bad spirit. They had not properly considered whether they were prepared for God to mete out the same harsh punishment for them any time they rejected Jesus (like Peter denying Jesus or John fleeing from Jesus' side in the garden when persecution came). He concluded that he had not come to destroy, but to save. He accepted that some people will not want what he had to offer and moved on to the next village.

What are you getting out of it? You have to check your motives to make certain your behavior isn't feeding something negative within you. Some people love pointing out problems and mistakes. They never have an encouraging word or positive comment to share. Blame and condemnation are their shtick.

~Bella

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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My friends both Christian and not know of my beliefs and know that I tell them when they're wrong or right. Or what they're doing is wrong or right. I dont really sugar coat things really and Christ didnt just come to save sinners. Christ as also came to be a mediator for our sins and to sanctify us. If we arent showing growth in sanctification than we do not have Christ. It's that simple.

For example though. I have a friend who is bisexual and mostly sleeps with men (he's a guy). I tell him the truth about what God thinks about homosexuality in a kind and loving way and he accepts that thats just what I believe and have to say on the subject. He knows its wrong to God he just struggles really hard with it. He's not Christian hi m.j self but he is really curious on Christianity.

Imo all Christian's should be like this. So people who are curious about what Christianity is really about can be educated. You may lose some friends but you're not chosen by God to make friends, you're chosen by God to grow in sanctification and to spread the gospel. We're chosen by God to serve God. That's just the blunt reality of it.

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've got to know when and how to do that. Can you give an example of when one of your friends is doing or saying something wrong around you, along with who you are with and where you might be, and what you might be doing at the time?

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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Yes, Christians do have the duty to judge Christians professing "Christians" on their behavior based on righteous judgement.

The instructions are provided in Matthew 18:15-20 and Galatians 6:1-2. In fact, it is the duty of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to warn their brethren if they are steering the wrong way or need help in a struggle with sin. if they know a Christian or a professing "Christian" that says or does anything is wrong and does not tell them, they are liable (Ezekiel 3:18-20, 1 Corinthians 6:2-4).

It's like if you are a lifeguard at a swimming pool that has an uncovered drain at the deep end. You see kids swimming near there and maybe a couple of them want to touch the drain. But you don't say a word, as you lounge in your chair, sunbathing. So the kids go under the water and get caught in the drain with it's powerful suction and drown. Yet, as a lifeguard, you say or do nothing but lounge in your chair. So, you are going to be held accountable for that drowning. So you'll be fired and possibly sued by the family of the kids who drowned there or survive with a lifelong disability, like brain damage from lack of oxygen.
But, there are 2 ways of judgement that Christians should NOT judge: Double standard judgement (Matthew 7:3-5, so much for the "Judge Not!" and "Only God can judge me!" cries from nominal, Moralistic Therapeutic- seeking Christians in our postmodern culture), like telling someone not to commit fornication but yet gleefully doing it yourself, and judging based on mere appearances (John 7:24; Romans 14), like assuming somebody who wears a swimsuit with exposed legs or chest (if man) on a beach or a swimming pool is automatically a harlot or a prostitute without thinking the motives for that, why that person is wearing a swimsuit with no shirt on? Is it to tell all those girls there how buff he is?

A_Thinker said:

When did He do that ?

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To be clear about this response: Jesus virtually never talks about sins except forgiveness of sin. He condemns people for being opposed to the Gospel or not showing fruit, but not for sins. (The difference between fruit and sin is that fruit is something positive and sin is something negative. Jesus is very concerned if you don't know any signs of love.)

Jesus also never refers to people as holy or pure, or sets that up as an ideal.

That's not to say you should completely ignore sin. If you have a friend or are a church leader and have a member, and you think there's something they're not seeing, it's worth saying that. But you have to be really careful. While Jesus doesn't tell us to tell people their faults (Mat 18:15 is about dealing with church members who have offended another one, not telling people their faults), he warns of the dangers of doing so (don't judge, take out the beam from our eyes). So you have to realize you're doing something dangerous that is a high chance of making things worse. But surely parents do have to do this with children, and also people who have responsibility for others.

First, however, you have to make sure you're right. (That's one implication of Jesus' warning in Mat 7:3.) In many of the examples we see in CF of people condemning others, they are wrong, or at least it's a debatable point.

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 ever Truly Find Christ, He Will Tell them what’s wrong in their lives.

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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No. It is not your place to tell someone he or she is wrong. Only God can judge the hearts of men. You have a responsibility to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is a message of love, not condemnation. The greatest way to share that message is to live it. Be an example of Christ's love. Love with unwavering commitment.

Mountainmanbob said:

Matthew 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

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This is reconciliation, rather thsn a general calling of another's sin ...

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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Since you're not God, you're probably wrong.

They aren't your servant, let God correct them.