Patheos

BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Patheos

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

embracingtruthescapingtradition

3 Things Christians Should Stop Saying To Each Other

Last updated on: January 23, 2024 at 7:36 pm   by Miranda Turner

3 Things Christians Should Stop Saying To Each Other 2024-01-23T19:36:22-05:00 Miranda Turner

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

There are many things Christians say to each other that are either prideful, belittling, or simply silly and uncalled for. Some are also misleading. However, they’re wildly popular in the Christian community and it’s gotten out of hand. Whether you’re a victim or an offender, it’s okay. Together we can put an end to this nonsense and it begins by being informed. So, below you’ll find a list of 3 things Christians should stop saying to each other.

1.“I’ll pray for your understanding.”

Probably 9 times out of 10, Christians use this response when they’re engaged in heated debate, typically over traditions rather than plain teachings of Scripture. When no resolution is reached since both are arguing with opinions, one usually concludes with “I’ll pray for you” or “I’ll pray for your understanding.” This is not sincere, but a prideful last attempt to assert that “I’m right and you’re wrong” and to attack the other’s intelligence. It’s highly tacky and offensive and by now, many can see through it, so, please stop saying it. Moreover, the prayer will most likely never make it to production, which makes the person a liar since they never intended to pray in the first place. However, if you’re sincere, my advice is to just pray. You don’t have to announce it at the risk of offending anyone; announcing it shows it’s really more for you than them.

2.“You’re not a true Christian.”

It’s ironic because this is not “Christ-like” and benefits no one. First, only God knows a person’s heart (1 Sam. 16:7; 1 Kings. 8:39) so he alone can judge their life (Is. 33:22; Ecc. 3:17;1 Cor. 4:5). Second, “Christian” is a man-made title (Acts 11:26) and is not needed for salvation, but only faith in Jesus Christ and the God of Abraham (Eph. 2:8-9). Calling yourself a Christian doesn’t make you a member of an elite club where you have the power to revoke people’s memberships. Third, if you think someone isn’t sincere in their beliefs, help them understand what they need or pray for them. Then leave it in God’s hands. No one has the right to tell someone their faith isn’t sincere, or that they don’t belong to God. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? (Rom. 14:4) As long as we’re on the topic, stop judging folks based on your own interpretation of what it means to be a Christian. A true judgment based on righteous judgment (Jn. 7:24) and God’s word would never have led you to make this statement. Let’s trust the Lord to do his job. He’s been doing it much longer than us and is very competent at it. We’re not. 

3.“God told me to tell you…”

If you aren’t chosen, sent, tried, and proven to be a genuine prophet of God, then God hasn’t told you anything about anyone else. Stop lying to God’s people and making yourself look important. The deceitful posts on the internet are my biggest pet peeve. The number of sincere believers who fall for this foolishness amazes me. I mean seriously? Would you really believe that one social media post about getting $1000 in 30 days applies to you and the other 10,982 people who commented “Amen?” Believers who entertain such foolishness reflect the corrupted mindset and materialistic focus of God’s people.  Nevertheless, here’s a tip: If you honestly believe God has given you a personal message to give to someone else because he couldn’t reach them directly, give them the message, but don’t say “God told me to tell you.” Because if it doesn’t turn out to be true, (which it usually doesn’t), you are nothing more than a false prophet (Deut. 18:22) who lies on the Lord and misleads his children, and I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes. Consider focusing on your own relationship with him, as I’m sure he wants to tell you a lot about yourself first.

This concludes our list of 3 things Christians should stop saying to each other. And to those who disagree? Well, God told me to tell you that you aren’t a true Christian and I’ll pray for your understanding—Just kidding. I won’t really pray for you. No, but seriously, cut it out. Thanks.

Evangelical

Relationships and Religion

Practical Christian Living

3 Things Christians Should Stop Saying To Each Other

About Miranda Turner

Miranda Turner is an author, blogger, and podcaster. In her writings, she discusses God, the Bible, and anything else related to glorifying the Lord. Find out more at https://truthtrumpstradition.wordpress.com/. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post



January 3, 2024

Worship: What It Really Means

Next Post



January 29, 2024 The Deeper Meaning Of Idolatry


Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Beatitudes church leadership discipleship Practical Christian Living Salvation sin Uncategorized water baptism Women in Ministry

Select a Month July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 March 2026 February 2026 December 2025 November 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023


Follow Us!

Follow Us on Facebook



TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the Bible's view of laziness?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Laziness is good A little sleep leads to poverty Only farmers can rest Rest is forbidden

Related posts from Embracing Truth, Escaping Tradition

Family

Can You Know the Bible and Still Not...

Embracing Truth, Escaping Tradition

Family

If God Knows Everything, Why Do We Need...

Embracing Truth, Escaping Tradition

Family

Crossing Cultures In Corinth: Unity Amid Diversity 11:4-10

Embracing Truth, Escaping Tradition

Family

Is ‘Male Headship’ Biblical?: 1 Corinthians Pt. III

Embracing Truth, Escaping Tradition

TRENDING AT PATHEOS General Christian

The Iron Gates and the Lion of the...

  Yesterday, I didn't finish my report about, well, yesterday.  So I'll...

Dolly Parton’s Last Song Wins Dove Award with...

Bluegrass band The Grascals, speaking on the red carpet at the 57th...

The Image: On the Horror of Capitalism and...

The Image Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might...

Thoughts about Halloween

We are approaching the date of our new American national holiday: October...

Letters on Living the Faith by C.S. Lewis

Most of us met C.S. Lewis as a public intellectual. Mere Christianity....

When Halloween Unmasks Married Hearts

Written by Dr. David K. Ewen from Eternal Truth Bible College Behind...

view all General Christian blogs

Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube