Why Are Christians So Arrogant?

[Corn Pop]

I believe the Kingdom of God is summed up in the single word 'attitude'.

When people have a good attitude they are in harmony and in the kingdom of God with each other, life is great, all are in harmony, you dont even need to think of Jesus commandment as you allready fullfil it.

When people have a negative attitude they argue and there is no harmony and they look to Jesus and his commandment. "I must love my neighbour", and it only puts burden on themselves as the attitude is not right before God.

Life is about attitude. The kingdom of God is all about attitude.

We go in and out all the time. The key is positive attitude to go in and stay in.

 

[KevinK]

I believe the Kingdom of God is summed up in the single word 'attitude'.

When people have a good attitude they are in harmony and in the kingdom of God with each other, life is great, all are in harmony, you dont even need to think of Jesus commandment as you allready fullfil it.

When people have a negative attitude they argue and there is no harmony and they look to Jesus and his commandment. "I must love my neighbour", and it only puts burden on themselves as the attitude is not right before God.

Life is about attitude. The kingdom of God is all about attitude.

Good! I always thought KOG was about altitude, but I like yours better.

 

[KevinK]

But seriously, as to arrogance not restricted to Christians a couple mentioned, yes that's true, but I've noticed that even amongst religionists Christians seem to have that reputation. It's off-putting, and we're supposed to be collecting, not pushing away. (Matthew 4:19) I feel like we should be showing the world a different way, but if we are bickering even amonsgt ourselves, it's like we're no different.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

That isn't just a Christian thing, though. That's people in general. Including people in freaking inconsequential things like fandoms...a couple weeks ago someone was seriously all over my case over a difference of opinion on the timeline for a fictional series. People get really prideful about being "in the know".

I think Questdriven hit the nail on the issue here. There's a lot to be said about standing up for what's right, and people do it all the time, sometimes not aware that their the ones escalating everything. Where that "right" that their standing up for, is being morally right, factually right, or some other sense of rightness, like sincerity, or pure motives.

I don't think it's intentional when you see anyone, (Christian or not), blow everything out of porpotion because they are right. So why are Christians like this too? Because we see so often everyone say something wrong, which has the reaction to be corrected. Some of it is among Christian understanding. Pre tribulation, post tribulation, or any other theory concerning how and when the rapture will occure, or even if it will occure has deep roots in debate. Or it's with Christian perspectives and non Christian perspectives, like that Hell and heaven, verses no afterlife and reincarnation. Possibly stating as a defense for what's known as right, to trying to correct someone. Other times it's because it's become a challenge to a person's over all view such as accepting Christianity or rejecting Christianity. And other times however it started doesn't matter, it's been escalated by those debating it, and that spills over to anyone who bring up the topics again. Pre-escalated by a previous conversation. At least theses are my conclusions.

I think with wisdom of Jesus's focus on humility and turning the other cheek, we are given tools to overcome being stubborn or arrogant because of fighting for the causes in Christianity. Blake put it well too.

I hope the next revival that sweeps across these lands contain complete torrents and downfalls of self-revelation, humility and transparency in the body of Christ. Where those three things are lacking, you get bickering, argumentative Christians.

 

[evenifigoalone]

But seriously, as to arrogance not restricted to Christians a couple mentioned, yes that's true, but I've noticed that even amongst religionists Christians seem to have that reputation. It's off-putting, and we're supposed to be collecting, not pushing away. (Matthew 4:19) I feel like we should be showing the world a different way, but if we are bickering even amonsgt ourselves, it's like we're no different.

How many people are actually taking Christianity seriously these days? Like, they were just raised in church and think that's all there is to being a Christian. Of course none of it's teachings are going to impact their lives.
That doesn't say much for the people who do serious theological debates and still act this way, though. Obviously they have far less excuse, since they know the Bible well enough to debate it's doctrine. Sometimes our human natures just shine through...I'm hardly perfect myself, I can and have been petty in arguments, if the right triggers are present. If I didn't have such an aversion to conflict I would likely fall into this more often. It actually helps that I happen to be emotionally sensitive...I know what bothers me, so I try to avoid doing those things to others.

 

[Obadiah]

But seriously, as to arrogance not restricted to Christians a couple mentioned, yes that's true, but I've noticed that even amongst religionists Christians seem to have that reputation. It's off-putting, and we're supposed to be collecting, not pushing away. (Matthew 4:19) I feel like we should be showing the world a different way, but if we are bickering even amonsgt ourselves, it's like we're no different.

I've seen the same thing, in forums and in the real world. I was just thinking of a friend I'd been witnessing to several years ago through examples as well as words. He was coming along nicely, and we'd been having several conversations about things like how the Bible came to be, why we think it's the word of God, why we go to church, etc. He'd been genuinely interested, had met the pastor of the church I was attending at the time (a fundamental Baptist church) and liked him. He was considering starting to go to church with me to learn more. Then he ran into an old friend (Paul) who he hadn't seen in a long time. He remembered the "pre born again" Paul who was friendly and liked to joke around. Well, since they had seen each other last, Paul had "found Christ" and was attending the same church I was. Paul was one who decided he loved to fight and argue much like we've been talking about in this thread. And he was very proud of his "street preaching" abilities where he screamed and yelled condemnation at the top of his lungs to people who tried to flee as far as possible from him.

So Paul ran into my friend whom I'd been witnessing to for a long time one day and started to catch up on old times. He told him about going to my church, and started screaming condemnations at him while literally pounding on a Bible he'd pulled out of his pocket (not to read scripture from, but just to waive it around and pound his fist on it!) My friend flat out told me that if the church and God made those kind of changes for the worse in Paul, he wanted nothing to do with either. I've never been able to witness to him again, thanks to someone with the kind of attitude we've been discussing here.

Is this really how Jesus worked, or the example He gave us? According to Paul (the acquaintance, not the apostle) it is.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I think new Christians get the wrong idea sometimes. With their new faith comes a "I'm right, you're wrong" sort of mindset and they feel justified to act accordingly.
I know I've changed my approach to people over time. I used to come on a lot more strongly...not because I wanted to, because I've always been the "please don't kill me D:" type, but because I thought I was supposed to. I remember when I literally told someone they were wrong for reading Harry Potter and began preaching at them, lol.....like, I wasn't forceful about it or anything. I just look back at it and cringe because I must have seemed like such a kook.

 

[Michael74]

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NIV

 

[Willie T]

I think it's simple. Many of us want to be right more than we want the other person to find Jesus.

 

[Blake]

I think it's simple. Many of us want to be right more than we want the other person to find Jesus.

We also allow ourselves more grace when it comes to the process than we allow anyone else.

 

[Willie T]

We also allow ourselves more grace when it comes to the process than we allow anyone else.

Well, OF COURSE !!!!!! Grace is for us, the saved, not for those who are "goats". (No, we may not actually come right out and SAY it, but....... it shows in our actions.)

 

[Ph8th]

I think that looking a little deeper than arrogance you will find pride. Pride/self was the fuel that led to Lucifer's transgression with God and ultimately to the fall of man. Deep rooted in all of us is our adamic nature/flesh. We tend not present what we believe but insist we are right or another is wrong. We tend to react instead of respond. We tend to desire being right other than helping others to understand.
I am not pointing fingers........
I to am guilty of reacting from the flesh when I should be responding from the Spirit who dwells with in.

Once again I fell
Amongst the jousting
The world wind of opinion
Seems to never end
Whether I am right or wrong
Doesn’t matter to the Lord
His desire for His children
Is to be of one accord
Exploring the mysteries
Of the One
The one who loved us first
Will feed the ones He's calling
And satisfy their thirst
Should we choose to stand
On all the things we know
We lost sight
Of Jesus
The One who loves us so​

peter

 

[Mike S]

I try not to be, but the other day I was becoming upset over a discussion, it's not about being right, it's about winning, imo. We hate to admit we're wrong, because of pride.

Would we act like this if we're all in the same room? I don't think we would.

You're right about this, and I think it's because so much of what is communicated by disagreement in real life is done through body language and other non-verbal means. In real physical personal interactions it's much easier to disagree and walk away afterward still being friends. There is nothing wrong with disagreement as long as it's not done in a personally attacking way. How boring it would be if we always agreed on everything.

 

[smaller]

I was discussing this with a mod the other day, and still in wonderment. Something I've noticed, that Christians have a reputation for being arrogant and opinionated. I think it's an accurate impression, unfortunately. There's a lot of infighting and personal attacking on this very forum, and it sends what must be an awful message to the rest of the world. Exactly the opposite image of Christianity as a movement of love, understanding, and forgiveness, and the opposite of what this forum is supposed to be about to the outside world. So what's up, people?

Perhaps it speaks to the "reality" of the internal human condition?

Which I might add, christians are the last to "own up" to.

 

[smaller]

There is a principle that Jesus put forth about what happens where His Word is sown. And yes, it's quite predictable and observable.

It's found in Mark 4:15. And it's demonstrated, continually. Yet few perceive it to be 'real.'

 

[JohnDB]

Just because an accusation is levied against Christians doesn't make it true.

Americans tend to be seen as arrogant as a people vx the rest...somewhat...but not really.

True humility is vastly different from false humility and vascilating decisions.

 

[reba]

This forum is very relaxed to another general forum where people are insanely abusive and intolerant to others.

Theres usually about 10 atheists on me in Jesus debate, always the same guy wanting to spit in my face and who calls me a moron. This forum is like gold. I come here to relax. At least i dont get called a %*/# moron just for having an opinion. lol.

Thanks Kiwidan... Really nice to hear that our time here is not totally wasted.. You have made my day

 

[smaller]

I'd call the Gospel the original "disruption" technology.

If you've ever witnessed a "true" annointing of the Spirit, it is always accompanied by the sign of "resistance."

And that speaks to this reality:

Galatians 5:
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

The evidence of this reality are the "fractured" and "divided" churches. And yes, this IS by the Power of God in Christ.

 

[WIP]

I think part of the problem is that because of our pride we get so determined to "correct" the other person we forget to witness and instead take on the role of attorney for Christ. Christ does not need attorneys. Christ commands us to be witnesses for Him and plant the seeds but God will bring the increase.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;" 1 Peter 3:15 NKJV

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:15-16 NKJV

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NKJV

"Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor."
1 Corinthians 3:5-8 NKJV

"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." Romans 12:3 NKJV

 

[Corn Pop]

Thanks Kiwidan... Really nice to hear that our time here is not totally wasted.. You have made my day

If people cant see this forum as pleasant something is wrong.

I throw myself in packs of wolves to try share the Gospel and get abused alot of the time, and thats only online. Were called to save the unsaved.

It must be really hard for those preachers in church who pay themselves fat salarys to share the same message with the same saved peaceful christians each week. Life must be tough.