Something has really been bothering me, and I thought I'd run it past my brothers and sisters here. Has anyone here noticed that Christians (in general) are less truthful to other Christians when explaining their decisions? It's seems very backwards, but I really believe it's true. I can get straight answers from secular minded people or athiests, but when another Christian has to say 'no' or 'yes' to something, many use God as an excuse for their decision instead of taking ownership themselves. For example, instead of saying "no, I really don't want to do that", a typical Christian response is "well, I've been thinking and praying and I feel God is leading me in another direction". This, to me, is like pinning a response on God and giving Him the responsibility for it. It's a really good way to save face and take the attitude that God made me do it.
I do believe that God leads us in certain directions, and I'm not debating the fact that some Christians base their responses solely on the leading of God. My problem is with the Christians that use it to keep themselves from looking bad. After all, how many people are going to argue with what God told you? I really don't think it's any better than saying "the Devil made me do it".
I was prompted to share this because twice in the last couple of weeks another Christian has used God as an excuse instead of saying what they really mean and standing behind it. And in both cases they were transparent enough that I knew they were not being truthful. It wasn't hard to tell where their real motivation came from.
James 5:12 - But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Thanks for letting me vent!
I do believe that God leads us in certain directions, and I'm not debating the fact that some Christians base their responses solely on the leading of God. My problem is with the Christians that use it to keep themselves from looking bad. After all, how many people are going to argue with what God told you? I really don't think it's any better than saying "the Devil made me do it".
I was prompted to share this because twice in the last couple of weeks another Christian has used God as an excuse instead of saying what they really mean and standing behind it. And in both cases they were transparent enough that I knew they were not being truthful. It wasn't hard to tell where their real motivation came from.
James 5:12 - But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Thanks for letting me vent!
