Five Things Christians Need to Stop Doing

Let me start out by saying that I am a terrible Christian. I am full of pride, anger and lust. I am the last person who should be giving spiritual advice or preaching to people. I am busy looking for the splinter in my brother’s eye while ignoring the full-grown California redwood firmly lodged in my own.

However, I believe in Christ and His message and I believe that the world desperately needs it. Unfortunately, the message is not getting out or is distorted, because the messengers are doing things wrong, destroying their credibility, distorting the message and turning people away. Here then, are five things that, in my opinion, Christians need to stop doing:

5.) Voting Republican

I understand why we do this-Republicans are supposed to stand for “family values,” by which they mean anti-abortion, anti-gay and anti-feminist. Throw in the fact that Republicans are anti-evolution, and you’ve got a political platform that warms evangelicals’ hearts. I am NOT going to deal with those four issues right now.

Republicans are about making lots of money, despite the fact that the Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10) There’s nothing holy about capitalistic greed, and yet Christians line up to vote for evil. The early Christians were SOCIALISTS. (Acts 2:44 and 4:35)

Republicans are, by and large, social Darwinists. They hate welfare because they want people to become successful without any help. If those people perish, too bad-they were stupid and lazy. (It’s amazing that people who claim to be creationists believe in economic natural selection.) They’ve also apparently never read the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 31-46, where Christ says that giving free stuff to the poor is the mark of a godly person and not doing it is the mark of the devil’s people.

I have not heard a single Christian speak a word of condemnation against Wall Street bankers and their evil plunder of our economy, which has brought ruin and misery to hundreds of thousands of people, but every one of them dislikes those godless communist Occupiers. Which group do you think Jesus would have associated with? Would he have rolled up to the Sermon on the Mount in a fat limo, after His SWAT teams had secured the perimeter with tear gas, batons and pepper spray? If you think so, I don’t know what Jesus you serve, but I’m pretty much interested in the opposite one.

The other thing that Republicans love is war. They love to send in the troops. They love to order bombings. They love to build weapons for “defense” and then use them for offense. Jesus said the peace makers were blessed, He told us to forgive our enemies, but Christians often endorse violence against those that politicians with ulterior motives claim are the Christian’s enemies.

I also want to point out is that Republicans often don’t believe in family values or practice them; they just say they do in order to get votes and their fat paychecks. They may pass a few laws here and there that support these values, but it is a complete waste of time. That leads me to the next thing Christians should stop doing:

4.) Legislating Morality

Christians love to support the passing of laws that attempt to force non-Christians to act like Christians. On its face, it’s absurd. How can we expect the world to live like us? They don’t have Christ. They don’t have the power to obey Him, which is why He died in the first place. If we’re saved by His grace alone, why do we turn around and protest, petition and legislate (kick, scream and cry) because people who are just like we used to be can’t seem to do what we couldn’t do-be Christian without His help? And, by the way, obedience to His will should come from choice, not the threat of fine or imprisonment. Jesus never sought to establish a visible Kingdom whereby people would be compelled by law to obey.

Often our morality is based on mere belief. We cannot prove that a fetus is a human being. That is a matter of faith. We also can’t prove that being gay is unnatural. That is our belief. We cannot scientifically prove Creationism-it is a matter of conviction. When we try to use force to dictate obedience to principles that seem like opinions to other people, they seethe with resentment.

Legislating morality can be dangerous. By trying to get people to “be good,” we send the message that getting to Heaven is a matter of doing good deeds, not accepting Christ by faith. People cannot be saved by their own efforts, but people believe that they should try, thanks to us. So why do Christians try to stamp out sin in others? It’s because sometimes they are guilty of…

3.) Hating Sinners

I once read a description of Judgment Day by a Christian author, and he felt that it would be pretty short. He actually used the words “rocket docket" to describe the process where God judges sinners and puts them in Hell forever. This guy couldn’t see people put in Hell fast enough. Throughout history, Hell has always been the trump card for people on the losing end of an argument or conflict. “Just wait until my God puts you in Hell,” they chortle. “I’ll look down from Heaven and see you roasting in the flames.”

Where is the compassion for the sinner? Where is the Christian who weeps and agonizes for the lost? Where is the man or woman who has deep affection for his or her enemies and cries out to God daily that everyone he meets would be saved?

Log into any website talking about politics or religion, and there will be a Christian, spewing hate for atheists, liberals, gays and abortionists. This kind of bitterness, anger and self-righteousness gets justified because the “cause” is supposedly just. It’s an excuse to glorify the self, and it finds a thousand outlets; every right-wing talk show host (all of whom claim to be Christians,) the members of the Westboro Baptist Church and the televangelists like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell who exploited every tragedy to shake their fingers at sinners-every one of these people has poisoned the well. They think they should act like Old Testament prophets, forgetting that we are New Testament people.

So why do Christians vent their wrath against the lost? It’s because they are against sin, but their anger is misdirected. They are busy judging the world before they judge themselves. They are…

2.) Not Confronting their own Sinfulness.

Christians from a century or two ago had a horror of sin. They rooted out sin in their lives and killed it the way you would kill a wild animal trying to eat your family. Nowadays, people “struggle” with “issues” that they have to “pray through.” They claim they just need to “grow.” They seem to feel they have easy, endless forgiveness and no chance of losing their salvation, despite numerous Bible verses to the contrary.

The reason for this lukewarm attitude is simple. Churches don’t confront sin. They don’t kick Christians out for adultery. They are comfortable with worldliness. A church service in America today is about making Christians feel good. Making them feel comfortable. The bigger and more expensive the church, the more non-confrontational towards sin, and the more they talk about God’s blessing, not His wrath. This is because they are…

(continued)

1.) Having Leadership that Loves Money

No minister wants to turn people off, because that would mean the cash stops rolling in. And the God business is a good one. Churches enjoy tax-exempt status AND they strongly encourage tithing (giving 10%) AND most of what gets donated does not make it to the poor or the lost. There’s a reason the pastor has a nicer house and car than most of his flock. The money is just flowing in.

Contrast this with Jesus, who:
Paid taxes (Matthew 17:14-27)
Encouraged others to pay their taxes (Matthew 22:15-21, Mark 12:17)
Didn’t even have a house (Matthew 8:20, Luke 9:58)
Commanded church leaders to NOT be lovers of money (1 Timothy 3:3)
Preached against wealth (Matthew 6:19, Mark 10:21, Luke 16:19-31)
Instructed that people should make up their own minds how much to give. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

I cannot overstress the significance of that last one. Tithing is an Old Covenant principle. It is the Old Law, and the New Testament is quite clear that we are not supposed to follow it, and that we are under a curse if we do. (Galatians 3:10) The New Testament mentions at least 38 times that we do not follow the Old Covenant. Yet go to any church for a few months and the pastor will have a series on “Biblical giving,” and by that he means “tithing.”

Think what would happen if every Christian sold what he or she had that was unnecessary and gave it to the poor? What if they were on their faces in church every Sunday, repenting for their lust, their anger, their hate and their pride? What if they stood up to Republicans and right-wingers and said, “No more money, no more votes. You’re through.” What if they quit every mega-church and met in simple, sparsely-decorated buildings? What if every minister had to get a day job, just like the Apostle Paul? What if Christians were known not for what they were against, but for having the answers for the lost when they finally had enough of their sin and came to church to see what it was all about? And when they did, what if they were greeted with open arms of love by people who knew that they themselves were sinners?

Well, we’d probably have something like what Jesus intended, wouldn’t we?

Hmm, did you copy and paste that, or is this your site? Are you the lanky prophet? Just asking.
thelankyprophet.wordpress.com...

Hope you aren't plagiarizing something from Aug 2012.

reply to post by Komonazmuk


good catch!

OP you do realize there are T&C rules about external content right?
A mod should be along shortly to let you know all about them.

P.S. Plagarism sucks!!

reply to post by Komonazmuk


No plagarazing-that's my blog. And no, that's not a plug.

reply to post by redbarron626


Do I have to give credit to myself?

reply to post by Snsoc


In that case, my apologies for thinking otherwise, I tend to agree with all your points, especially number 4. Also number 1 and I see why you have it as number 1, I feel that one is very important.

I myself do not belong to any OR, and a lot of your points I feel it just a lack of information, and it's not just amongst christian in general, but it's something that is common among the public. It's like most folks just rather have someone else tell them how to go about life, or who is wrong and what is right. S&F.

All five done. Honestly.

Now if we could just work on the Christian haters, this Earth would be peaceful.

Oh I forgot about the ones who care about themselves more than others.
And the lower density entities who hate everyone.

So now where does that leave me?
High morals and a big fat target painted on me. Well that is how it is feeling at the moment.

Well written thread BTW.

Cool post & cool blog..
However I could add a LOT to what Christians need to stop doing.. It would all just be my opinion though.

For those of you asking, yes, I did post a slighly edited version of “Five Things Christians Need To Stop Doing” at “AboveTopSecret.com” October 22, 2012 Categories: Uncategorized . . Author: thelankyprophet . Comments: Leave a Comment

reply to post by Snsoc


S&F for your talented writing

He is right though if Jesus did appear and start preaching what he did back then the GOP would brand him a socialist. Christians only use their faith when it's to their advantage.

reply to post by Komonazmuk



No problem. I wasn't getting much attention for what I felt was an inspired post, so I decided to repost it here because I am vain. And I thought it might help people. I chose ATS because I also believe in conspiracies. I did put a note up on the Lanky Prophet site just to let people know that I'm not a thief. And of course, you are forgiven. When a wall of well-worded text seemingly springs out of nowhere, well, people can get suspicious.


PS-Christians need to do a better job of marketing their message to the world. We need catchy, memorable memes that can't be misinterpreted.

Originally posted by Snsoc
reply to post by Komonazmuk

 

PS-Christians need to do a better job of marketing their message to the world. We need catchy, memorable memes that can't be misinterpreted.

marketing their message? you make it sound like an ad-campaign.
another thing Christians should stop doing is feeling the need to spread their ideologies.

we get it... Jesus was great. we get it... Christians think he is the "salvation" etc. etc. etc.

but the hubris in thinking that they possess the ONLY key to peace, love, healing, spirituality, and all the other good stuff is quite maddening.

i understand in your holy book it says to spread the word... well, the word is LOVE, and its message is taught throughout the world.

so market your message through acts of love & compassion, and acts of love & compassion alone and leave the branding & marketing campaign out of it.


PS--- i enjoyed your post, non-the-less, and found it intelligent and sound. just thought i'd contribute from a non-Christian, yet devout perspective.

Originally posted by buster2010
He is right though if Jesus did appear and start preaching what he did back then the GOP would brand him a socialist. Christians only use their faith when it's to their advantage.

That's the reason I left the mainstream Christianity.

Nowadays, it's all about $$$. If you can't make $$$, you must be doing something evil.

Even the Bible is sorely misunderstood/twisted for the sake of $$$.

The Old Testaments says a lot about making $$$ and it's good.

The New Testaments vilifies $$$ as well as stoning sinners to death, animal sacrifices...

Modern Christianity did vilify stoning sinners to death and animal sacrifices... ...But not $$$!!

Just look at tithing prayers:

"This is my tithes and offerings......... .....By faith, I believe your promises to bless our finances..."

What did Paul say in 1 Timothy 6:5?:

"and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."

I have a right to actively encourage legislation that I believe is good for community in my country.
You make it sound like Christians should just accept whatever is forced upon us.
If I have a right to vote I will vote, if legislation needs changing i will advocate it changing.

We live in a democracy, not a dictatorship yet. I have a right to advocate my position and gain support. Obviously Christian values need be applied.
The rest is good, common sense good

reply to post by Snsoc


I agree with all of these. We must hate the sin and love the sinner. Republicans are as bad as Democrats. Instead, allow God to install the leaders as he does anyway and vote for the Lord as King of Kings instead. As you say, we need to acknowledge our own sin. We can't make laws other than reaping and sowing. The debt of sin is paid by the sinner and no law can change that. Morality is up to the individual, yet the law is a guardian until faith arrives to the sinner.

Galatians 3

23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Loving others fulfills the law and does away with the need for law. In the mean time, the sinner has the law. The Christian is separated and sanctified if they have love for others and God. These are lessons the child learns as they grow.

1 Corinthians 13

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

As you point out, many Christians are still children. We are children of God until we are no longer children. It's a process of growth as we raise to new life. Be patient.

I am full of pride, anger and lust. I am the last person who should be giving spiritual advice or preaching to people.

But you did it anyway.

Somewhere in your self there is the answer to your question about why people do things they ought not to do.

We can't change how others behave, but hopefully as people grow in wisdom they are able to move past the errors they make.

We've all made them.

marketing their message? you make it sound like an ad-campaign.
another thing Christians should stop doing is feeling the need to spread their ideologies.

we get it... Jesus was great. we get it... Christians think he is the "salvation" etc. etc. etc.

but the hubris in thinking that they possess the ONLY key to peace, love, healing, spirituality, and all the other good stuff is quite maddening.

Well said. America is over-saturated with the Gospel. I guess Christians have a lot of time on their hands. And many people have indeed found peace in things like Buddhism.

perhaps using marketing terms was a little crass. I could have made it worse and discussed it in terms of "penetrating the target market."

Originally posted by borntowatch
I have a right to actively encourage legislation that I believe is good for community in my country.

Of course, but I'm talking about legislating against acts where we can't draw a clear line of causation from the act to the degeneration of society. For example, gay marriage. Can we prove it hurts society? Until we can, we're going to look like backwards, medieval hate-mongering bigots by opposing it.

reply to post by Snsoc


Man, I hope you are some magical prototype Christian that represents the future of your church.

Originally posted by Snsoc

Originally posted by borntowatch
I have a right to actively encourage legislation that I believe is good for community in my country.

Of course, but I'm talking about legislating against acts where we can't draw a clear line of causation from the act to the degeneration of society. For example, gay marriage. Can we prove it hurts society? Until we can, we're going to look like backwards, medieval hate-mongering bigots by opposing it.

Medieval hate mongering?
Gay and marriage dont go together, the two words are opposed to each other.
Its like saying its a car though it has four legs, a tail and eats hay.

Lets not pretend, we know homosexuality hurts society, its not up for debate, Sin has a result, make no mistake.

I agree in principle, if homosexuals want a state authorised ceremony akin to marriage, then fine, call it something else. Marriage is man and woman. Its exclusive.

I would prefer to look like a backward, medieval hate-mongering bigot than a wishy washy fluff with no respect to scripture.
The day society accepts Christianity is the day Christianity dies. Remember they killed Jesus for what He taught. The Gospel is a two edged sword that incites hate from the followers of the nemesis.