Fake

[Jman96]

So, is it just me...or do you guys see your youth groups(if you attend) have people in them that are so fake. At my church there are a few people that go because there parents make them, or because they just want to hang out with friends and I don't have a problem with that...hopefully they will be hit in the face by the spirit(metaphorically) and realize what's up.

Anyways, what drives me crazy is when I'm standing in worship and right beside me are people that don't Want to be there and tend to be ruining the environment, or they go and then the next day at school they walk through the halls swearing every other word. It bugs me crazy!!!!!!! I just want to go up to them and beat them with a bible and force the spirit onto them(metaphorically)

But yeah, anyone else see this often? Any way that I could do anything to influence them you think? Maybe all I can hope is with prayer they will change.

 

[Jesusfreak97]

YES!!!!!! :angry I actually left my youth group because 1) I had to figure my life out and they were doing more harm than good 2) people there didn't seem to want to be there and it was taking away from the experience. And yes I want to dump Holy Spirit on them but that's God's job. I guess all you can do is pray cuz beating them with a Bible probably would do the opposite of what you want. ;) lol.

 

[Jman96]

Are you no longer involved in a youth group? Any way you could move to a different one?

I feel even though you have your life figured out there is still more learning to take in.

 

[Jesusfreak97]

hahaha it's funny that you think that I have my life figured out. I don't. It's just that there was a lot of yuck in my life and I had to figure the yuck out and my youth group was not helping.
and as for finding another youth group...well I don't think that would be possible cuz I tried and my parents didn't want to drive me to a new church and made a big stink about it so I just go to church. No youth group and I'm kinda ok with. Just cuz my exprience there really wasn't the best...

 

[Ambrose]

Yeah i see a ton of it, But not just in youth groups.. All over the world you see it. It's terrible

 

[Blazin Bones]

Ambrose is right, this is something that is true of any church, which I why I would Never suggest leaving a church fellowship opportunity. If those who are genuinely trying to grow in the lord are not in the church, how do others learn?

 

[Mike]

As a moderator of the Teen Forum, I rarely chime in on your discussions, but I'm Led to here. Jman, this is not a criticism in any way. If anything, it's a sobering look at myself. Looking around at at others during any form of worship and suspecting what's happening in their hearts is a dangerous road to go down.

First of all, when gathered with believers, if you're focused on others, you're not focused on Him. And that can lead to a hardened heart.

Second, it's good that they're there, rather than not.

Third, we don't really know what is stirring in their hearts, even if it's a small ounce of faith.

What Ambrose and Tim said is very true, and I know it well myself. I used to be in bad place where my consciousness and impressions of others stood between myself and honest worship. And I still catch myself doing it today. Let's encourage each other to fix are heart and eyes vertically, rather than sideways.

You guys have a great core group of teenagers. What you have going here is something amazing, and I believe other teens will take note when they visit and want to be a part of it. I thank God for all of you!!

 

[Blazin Bones]

Mike offers a great reminder. Let me add some encouragement. We are to be aware of the hearts of our Brother and Sisters, but while we are worshiping, our focus must be the Lord. Think of the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The pharisee thought he worshiped by proving his superiority over the tax collector. The tax collector just approached worship knowing his unworth and seeking help to deal with it. Just as Jesus asked, which left justified before God?