Is it wrong for me to feel this way? Advice needed?

Question

Is it wrong for me to not want to talk about your religion and relationship with God to other people. I have this friend that constantly talks about his religion, what he does at church, tells me that I need to do more in the my church like him. It gets a little annoying because it doesn’t sound like he is a proud Christian, it sounds like he is he looks down on anybody who does not go to church as much as him. I am a Christian, I go to church, and I love the lord but I feel that my relationship with the lord is personal and that I shouldn't have to constantly talk about it every minute. Is it wrong to feel this way? Should I let him know how I feel...if so, how could I tell him without seeming like I am ashamed of my relationship with the lord. I really need some advice with this. Thanks.

Answer 1

Oh my gosh, I know EXACTLY how you feel.

I have a friend who does the same thing to me, and we have actually grown apart because of it.

I love God, and believe in Him with all my heart. But, i'm not sure why, I just feel very uncomfortable discussing it with others because I always feel like i'm being judged or that i'm not a "good enough" Christian.

I don't know about you, but i've always thought that to be a good Christian, one would refrain from judgment as they know that only God can judge you. Its really tough to deal with because you don't want to lose your friend.

This is what I had to do. I eventually ended up explaining to my friend that I am very devout, whether they feel like I am or not, and that I beleive that only God can judge me, and He knows very well my relationship with Him. I simply feel like it is a very personal matter. Tell him that you respect him for his devotion, but also ask if he could respect your feelings on this matter. Tell him exactly what you told us. In the end, he may be your friend, or you may grow apart. My friend and I, as I said, did grow apart. But, as i'm sure you know, God allows everything to happen for a reason. He knows best.

Good Luck :)

Answer 2

That sounds strange and somewhat manipulative to me, though I'm not part of the situation and I'm sure I don't understand it fully. If you have a habit of calling your husband constantly, it may be a knee-jerk reaction on his part to maintain a certain level of peace and privacy in his own life. If not, then it does sound very strange. What if there were an emergency? Is he unable to walk away and find a quiet place to talk to you when he is out and about during the day? Sounds to me like you two are experiencing larger communication problems than just phone-related ones. Maybe you would benefit from a bit of therapy, or at very least talk it out a bit more, and try to understand where each partner is coming from. Let him know that you feel like your communication with him is relegated to specific times, and that makes you wary of communicating with him at all. Good luck, love.

Answer 3

I have learned ... that the people that most need to talk about there beliefs need just that... As a christian.. you can intelligently bring it out of him without it sounding like your being defensive.

He just wants fellowship. If he seems over zealous.. why don't you recommend he speak more in depth with his pasture.. since you seem to be in a good place, let him know exactly that. If he needs more guidance then point him in the right direction. Let him know you understand where he is coming from ... at the same time, let him know you are at peace with the lord, hopefully he will understand your place.. and seek guidance for himself.

Answer 4

I'll tell you the truth - I think you're absolutely right. I'm jewish actually but I feel just the same way.
god appreciates humility and patience towards our fellow man - you can be sure of that...

however, i am not sure it's a good idea to tell your friend that such and such is bad, because it is likely he won't listen and won't be able to understand the criticism. Try to show him politely that you are indifferent to what he says, if possible you could also talk to him about rationally, try to have him understand the motives behind the way he acts

(possible arrogance - trying to be too righteous...)

hope this helps

Answer 5

You can preach the teachings of the Lord to others but it is not necessary to tell your friends about your relationship with God or the things what you are doing which are very personal.

Tell yoiur friends "Pray to God" Have faith in God' and others.
jtm

Answer 6

It's not wrong for you to feel that way.

Remember that the Bible condemns those who are so showy in their faith that their own pride nearly takes God's place.

We're not in a competition, here. Explain to him that you hold a more private view of how one is to practice their religion. Your love of God is a private matter between you and Him, and that you don't have to mimic your friend's thoughts and actions to be a good Christian.

Answer 7

No, I feel sorry for him. He's insecure and doesn't do anything fun. He doesn't study other subjects or talk with non-Christians. He seems to compete with you over authenticity of Christianness. Why not arm-wrestle instad? Go ahead and tell him that he doesn't have the right to tell you what to do or make you explain yourself to him. Just say,"Yep, God is Good." Hallelujah.

Answer 8

It sounds like your friend is a little unsure of his religion, He keeps trying to prove to everyone that he is a christian, You on the other hand are comfortable in your beliefs. I'm on your side, your relationship with God is yours, not everybody Else's . Tell him to cool it with the bible pounding, If you have Doubts, You ain't going.............Nuf Said

Answer 9

You are right and he is wrong.

You shouldn't push religion on people. As long as you live in a christian manner, that's the most important thing in my eyes.

It not about how much you boast or preach about it. You can talk all you want to about living a Christian life but it's your actions that count in my eyes.

Answer 10

You need to leave Christianity, because it's slowly losing it's original honor and starting to degenerate into a competition religion, where, if you don't go to church as much as so and so, or tithe as much as the Jones's, or you've done this many sins more than them, you go to hell.

EDIT: By slowly, I mean ever since 2000, it's been dropping off a steep cliff. :x I mean, in the 1990s, you didn't have churches like the Westboro Baptist Church picketing gay funerals, that's for damned sure.