Why do so many Christian hold other Christians up to their standards?

Question

It's not right. There are quite a few gray areas in the bible. I believe that when it comes to those gray areas, it is between God and the Christian to decide what they will do and what they won't. Thats why we are to have a relationship with God...so that we can find out what his will is for us and what he wants us to do and not do. Some christians tolerate more or are more open minded than others, but thats ok if they feel right before the Lord. I think it's time Christians stop judging others and holding them acountable to their own personal standards AND it's time they stop putting words in God's mouth and taking verse out of context.

Piercings, tattoos, masturbation, music, modesty, etc

No i'm not judging.

Well if some of you read your Bibles you would find that Jesus never gave you the right to judge...period. The Bible tells us how to live our lives...it's gives us a general overview, but when it comes down to some of the specifics, it will be different for every Christian. Yes there are many things that are clear in the Bible and all Christians should have the same belief and standards on these things. However when it comes to music, body piercings and tattoos and a lot of other things, the Bible doesn't really give a right or wrong, or it doesn't even say anything sometimes. I believe the reason for this is because it will be different for everyone. Yes all christians should have the same belief system when it comes to slavation but not neccesarily music. Some christians even judge other christians for "dating" instead of "courting". come on...God's not going to judge you on that. Do you see what i'm trying to say?

Answer 1

When people are not comfortable with their situation (such as these holier than thou types), they have to have someone to look down on. It makes them feel better and superior.

Answer 2

As Christians, we are pretty much our brother's keepers. James 5 says that if any Christian turns from the truth and another converts him (or turns him back in the right direction) he has saved a soul from death and covered a multitued of sins. But at the same time, I think with spiritual maturity also comes the wisdom to know that not everyone matures at the same pace. Just because I realized that sin B is not what I need to partake in, does not mean that you have had that conviction yet. All I can do is pray that your eyes be opened to the same truth that mine were opened to.

I really think we need to spend more time talking to God and developing our relationship with Him then trying to tell others what to do and where to go. As people see our light shine brighter, we can be living testimonies of God's goodness. We won't have to do so much talking... our lifestyles will speak for themselves.

Answer 3

Well, what you say is true, but is only a subset of the whole situation. In fact, you should really broaden your view by looking at why so many "PEOPLE" in general compare other "PEOPLE" to themselves.

I am not defending the actions of the Christians you mention, but it is not because they are Christians that they do this. It is merely a personal characteristic that they have. It is no different from someone saying that you should eat a hamburger in a circular fashion to avoid having the meat patty squirt out from the other side. Why do I need to eat it that way? I can eat my burger anyway I want, but some people will get upset at you for not listening to them.

The bottom line is that they feel they are right. More right than you. That is why they tell you to behave in the way they do. Christians, Catholics, Muslims, Jews even atheists can behave this way. It is not limited to religion, but personal character.

Answer 4

It's difficult to hold anyone to a standard without knowing their core religious belief. In that case, if someone runs around identifying themselves as Christian, and the Christian standard is well known, it is certainly appropriate for anyone witnessing hypocritical behavior to point it out. Look at Miss California.

Answer 5

I agree, to a certain extent. The Bible does say that we are to reprove and rebuke each other in love, and I believe it is so that we can grow. If you honestly didn't know that what you are doing is a sin, then a fellow Christian should be the one to tell you.

I do think you are correct in that we should not hold others up to our own standards, in that some people simply aren't as far along in Christian maturity. And sometimes it does a person more harm to tell them of their sin than it would be to just let it go and let God deal with it.

An example is someone who is new to Christianity that was a former drug addict. They've gotten off the drugs and committed themselves to Christ, so what if they still smoke cigarrettes? Perhaps God doesn't care about that right now, He is just happy with them being off the drugs. See what I mean? We have to be very very careful about who we rebuke, and why.

Answer 6

I would actually contend that most Christians have relatively the same values... they differ on a few things but for the most part the Bible says a number of things quite plainly.

I don't mean to make a sweeping generalization on you, but I find I get most of this kind of talk from people who don't actually read the Bible. If that's the case (not saying that it is) I really suggest doing so.

Answer 7

I don't know, but, I consider myself a christian, and I don't go to church specifiaclly for that reason!!!! I love God with all of my heart, and I believe every blessed word of the King James version of the Bible, well most of it at least, we all know the true Bible has been changed around by man, but, i believe it has some good moral values in it and it's based on Gods true Bible!!! But I don't go to church, because I believe churches are filled with hypocrites!!! And I thind some churches use Gods word to robe people blind!!! I'm a christian, don't believe in any religion!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

I don't know about you, but I sort of draw the line at Christians who hide on a roof top and shoot Abortion doctors in the Head at the breakfast table of their own houseses and then claim to be doing God and Jesus work.

I get a little judgemental over that!

Or do you think TWO WRONGS make a right!

Answer 9

A general question can only have a general answer. Christians are told not to judge (condemn) anyone, but to judge (inspect the fruit of) all who claim to be Christian. Obedience to this standard cannot be wrong.

Answer 10

I could play "devil advocate" on all of these, but there are some that I really don't think matter to God because he does look at the heart. The one I will address is the modesty one. I disagree that it is a heart issue. Here is my explanation. Dressing immodestly causes others to stumble. The other you do to you. However this one can cause others to stumble.

If you respect your brothers in Christ, you will not want to tempt them to look lustfully at you. Men are very visual. There have been tests and studies done by believers on this. They don't want to look at their sister's in Christ that way, but we have to no throw temptation in their face.

1Peter 3:3-5

Answer 11

Why do math teachers want their students to follow the formulas given to them??? It's so they can get the right answers. If you're a Christian it means that you follow Christ. Jesus Christ's teachings are found in the bible so then the bible should be put into practice. I think the confusion is that most people "think" they are christian when they really aren't. You can't inherit christianity, it has to be a full decision made by each individual to want to follow Christ.