4 Things Christians "Shouldn't" SAY

The Christian life can sometimes feel like a game with too many rules. We train every service, every Bible study, and in every other meeting to spot what a good Christian looks like and how to avoid looking like a pagan! Of course none of our gatherings and studies are meant to guilt us into loving Jesus. But in reality there actually are a lot of dos and don'ts in the Bible. And they can be a little overwhelming sometimes...But the real weight comes from our own false obligations and expectations of each other and ourselves. We have to admit that grace stands in the way of our condemnation and that sometimes making an exception to the rules is not only ok but good in the right time and place. I hope you see this series as a chance to rethink our misconceptions, enjoy the beauty of sarcasm, and to learn to live through the eyes of Grace.

-Clichés
Which of the following annoys you most ? "WWJD: What Would Jesus Do?", "Whenever you stop looking for a mate is when they will just show up!", or "When God closes a door, he opens a window." If I'm honest, I'd say that they are all pretty annoying or at the very least overused. At one time in my life I'm sure I've taken each of these to heart...heck maybe even given them an "Amen!". But its 2015... if it was said last week, then its already passé. I will shoot the next person that makes a joke about "the dress"...jk! But this is the day we live in. Once we hear a phrase, experience something, or encounter a new thing...it almost immediately loses its power. Its the unfortunate effect of living in the twitter generation. But sometimes going back to those old phrases still helps. Again if I'm honest, asking myself what Jesus would do...would actually really help me sin less and help me evaluate my motives. Some clichés are still true and can still be powerful! Just know the right time to use them, know your audience...and of course make sure they line up with God's word.

-The Truth
Political Correctness is the king of the land these days. I'll tell you right now. I'ts pretty stupid when people's feelings trump truth. Our culture repeatedly tells us that "real" Christians wouldn't judge. They would be the most passive. They would be the ones to give all of their freedoms away for the sake of Heaven. BULL! The Bible doesn't tell us to be cowards, or weaklings, or slaves of the world! I say that a true Christian SHOULD make the world somewhat uncomfortable! We have the responsibility to set Christ's standards and keep them, to speak the truth in season and out, to be good judges of character and to speak out against ungodly actions. This is a very unpopular belief and even harder thing to actually do...but to be real Christians - we must speak and live the truth, always.

-"You're Wrong"
This one goes hand in hand with the one above. But this one seems to come against us more than come from our own mouths. I feel we've stopped calling out sin these days for 2 reasons.... we'd rather build relationships with believers than judge them which is good....but we've also turned into cowards. We've taken this to an extreme. Somehow we've been pushed into the corner where all the fingers are pointed at us and they've taken away our ability to speak into each other's lives. I love the old saying that goes something like... "If you knew the world was ending, then wouldn't you want to tell everybody else?!" Because this is still true! As Christians we have a responsibility to point people to the cure...but its pretty difficult to tell someone they need it when they don't think they are sick. Sin deceives, divides, destroys. Take it seriously. We need to find the courage again to show the people around us that wrong belief, worshiping the wrong things, and selfish living really do lead to death. Sin leads to death- this is what we know to be true. Of course build a relationship with them first-but when the time is right- call out death and speak life!

-The word "Hate"
As you can see my sarcastic points on this post continue to progress but keep pointing to the same thing -  Speaking the harshest of truths in the darkest of times. This is the time we live in. It is time to speak life and to speak UP! We have become comfortable at not taking risks but blending into our culture. It seems to be this strange rule that in 2015, you really aren't allowed to hate anyone or anything. Heck even if you spoke out against ISIS or Hitler...someone would probably defend them and then point the finger back at you. But there are things that God hates and that they are the reason that Jesus had to die. He had to CONQUER death! He's not fine and dandy with us making a home with sin. A few things God hates and we should hate too: People who kill the innocent, those who plot evil or run to evil's front lines, those who cause discord in families. He says it pretty clearly in Proverbs 6:16-19. Know God's word! When we claim we love everything from pizza to our iphones, its important to know what God truly loves and what He truly hates.

Coming Soon - 4 Things Christians "Shouldn't" BELIEVE

More amazing verses about our words!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Prov 18:21

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
Psalm 141:3

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
Psalm 37:30

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
Matt 12:36-37

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
1 Peter 2:1

With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
Prov 25:15 (All of Prov 25 is filled with good stuff btw!)

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:6