As Christians, we are all called to witness about our faith and talk openly about Jesus. Now don't get me wrong, that's a good thing to do. But my problem is with certain people who do it.
Like I know a LOT of people who call themselves Christians. But they come in to work or school or whatever, and they don't act like it. They're rude, they're snobby, they cuss at people, they act worse than the worldly people.
And then two seconds later they're all talking about God and saying you need to go to church.
My feeling is, people like this should not be encouraged to witness because they're doing more harm than good.
I understand we all make mistakes. I'm not saying only "perfect" people should witness, cause then no one would.
But shouldn't the church at least try to hold up a standard?
2006-09-16 03:47:53 · 19 answers · asked by cirque de lune 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As a Christian I feel it's my job to: 1) Live my faith, and show Christ's LOVE to ALL 2) Tell people about my faith. If they choose not to accept it, it's NOT my job to beat them over the head with my views or try to drag them kicking and screaming to the altar for baptism. It IS my job to love them, accept their differences, and pray that one day they will see the truth.
Yes, I think the "Christians" you are referring to are only giving all the rest of us a bad name. However, EVERYBODY has a voice, and we are all allowed to use it. You can use yours to politely tell them they are idiots.
2006-09-16 03:59:39 · answer #1 · answered by kj 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree that people like that do more harm than good when they attempt to evangelize others. One needn't be perfect to be a witness, but one does need to be humble - one needs to recognize that they too are sinners just like the folks they are witnessing to.
People have different gifts and talents and some people just are not cut out for vocal, attention-grabbing, witnessing. There are many ways to preach the gospel and witness. Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.
2006-09-16 12:04:49 · answer #2 · answered by Sass B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very few talk openly about Jesus except during seminars and hours of worship and at home by some. But every believing Christian practices their faith in deeds. If they commit sins, they believe that it is wrong and displeasing to God and confess their sins.
The Sermon on the Mount of the Eight Beatitudes are, in my belief, the workable witnessing every Christian must do. Please read and reflect herebelow:
The Eight Beatitudes
The solemn blessings (beatitudines, benedictiones) which mark the opening of the Sermon on the Mount, the very first of Our Lord's sermons in the Gospel of St. Matthew (v, 3-10). Four of them occur again in a slightly different form in the Gospel of St. Luke (vi, 22), likewise at the beginning of a sermon, and running parallel to Matthew, 5-7, if not another version of the same. And here they are illustrated by the opposition of the four curses (24-26). The fuller account and the more prominent place given the Beatitudes in St. Matthew are quite in accordance with the scope and the tendency of the First Gospel, in which the spiritual character of the Messianic kingdom -- the paramount idea of the Beatitudes -- is consistently put forward, in sharp contrast with Jewish prejudices. The very peculiar form in which Our Lord proposed His blessings make them, perhaps, the only example of His sayings that may be styled poetical -- the parallelism of thought and expression, which is the most striking feature of Biblical poetry, being unmistakably clear.
The text of St. Matthew runs as follows:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3)
Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land. (Verse 4)
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5)
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7)
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9)
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)
That is the real formula for witnessing
2006-09-16 11:52:03 · answer #3 · answered by camilo r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to witness your faith to someone else is through the way in which you live your life. There is nothing more irritating than someone (of any religion) who forces their beliefs down your throught. I've had people come up to me and ask me, "Why are you so happy all the time" or "You rarely ever seem really stressed out" ect....ect.....to me, that's the perfect time to witness and say, "Well, honestly, my faith is what keeps me going" or something like that.
If you live a lifestyle that reflects your belief system, people will inevitably ask about it.
2006-09-16 10:55:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. Alot of Christian churches speak of this subject in their services. The type of Christians who do this are hypocrites because they are being rude, snobby, and cuss. They obviously did not take the message that they learned to heart. Another spin on this topic is people who claim to be Christians, yet use Bible quotes for their own benefit and not the person they should be helping!(Also very hypocritical and selfish!)
2006-09-16 10:54:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are called to witness by our religion, not by God. Did Noah, Abraham, Jacob, David, etc. witness. No they lived their lives according to God's will and reached their God-Given purpose in life. By doing so, they were a great witness.
I am a strong and mature Christian, but God did not create me to go out and witness. I am a writer, and that is how I communicate.
Look, the Jesus also states clearly to make use of your God-Given talents, and if you do not, He is clear about the consequences.
If God calls you to witness and it is in your nature, so be it and heed the call, but it is not a "requirement" from God. It is more directed to those who will be apostles of Christ, and not all are created to that mission.
2006-09-16 11:40:38 · answer #6 · answered by Cogito Sum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, of all, the apostles were 'witnesses.' We haven't seen anything firsthand.
But as for your question, you are absolutely right. People see hypocrites, and think that they are representative. When I eat in a restaraunt, I put my tip in a tract and encourage others to do so, also. But I tell people that if they aren't going to leave a good tip, forget the tract; it would turn people away from God instead of leading them to Him.
2006-09-16 10:52:11 · answer #7 · answered by flyersbiblepreacher 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes the body of believers need to have a standard and most do. But they cannot control all the people who attend with them. Please remember the church is the body of believers not the building where we gather. Our pastor is always warning us to be careful of our practices so we do not look like fools. and do not make the rest of the body of believers look bad. I try and to tell people that try and anger me that God loves still loves them.
2006-09-16 10:54:48 · answer #8 · answered by wolfy1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
friend, We shouldn't point to a "church" building, just keep pointing to Christ-He is The Saviour-not a "church" building. Satan uses the fake "christians" to decieve("u have to do this or that")-and i agree they do much harm. i think u might be a lamb in the midst of wolves! Ask The Father to show u if this isn't true.
2006-09-16 11:39:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The point of witnessing isn't to get the witnesses to do right, it's to bring the lost home. I know it should be a factor regarding the negative actions of false witnesses. But if they can bring or give knowledge to the lost that the main issue.
2006-09-16 10:54:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋