Just Because Someone Says Their a Chritian, doesn't mean they really are.

[rosey]

My mother came to Christ quite awhile ago and it seemed legitimate and maybe it was. Unfortunately it didn't take long for her old behaviors came back. I came to Christ before her. I was just a child then. So for just about all my life she acted like a christian in public and was very different at home. It was not a pleasant home life for me. I'm so thankful to have the Lord at
such a young age, I am never alone. My mother has unfortunately uses it for her gain. It's such a long story I don't want to bore anyone with it. Sadly she's alone and wants nothing to do with me and I have come to learn she never liked children and if I don't agree with her or do everything she wants she doesn't want anything to do with me and then she blames me for it. When I am with her she does nothing but tear me apart and everyone else we or I know apart. This has been very difficult to prove to anyone as she's really good at being different in public. A few finally have seen and experienced it themselves. How can she say she loves the Lord when after all these years she will say He told her to steal to see what I would do or say. The Lord told you to steal I asked. She said yes and never apologized for it. Yet, she knows the scripture inside out. So just because someone says they are a christian doesn't really mean they are. I have lived most of my life watching a big lie. What's sad is she may have a condition that she may never admit to. So, there's absolutely nothing I can do except pray. I hope this make some kind of sense.

 

[PopClick]

I'm sorry to hear all that. But there is one more thing you can do... you can ask others for prayer. Count me in.

 

[crossnote]

I don't believe it is honoring to your parents to uncover their 'nakedness' in a public forum even if they act hypocritically. But that's just me.
Yes many profess Christ without possessing Him.

 

[Ariel82]

why do you need to prove anything to anyone?

Just give it to God. He is not fooled.

you need to focus on forgiving her and not allowing her actions to keep you from your own personal walk with God.

At 42, I'm hoping you are not living with her. so you could just meeting her out in public and stop private with her for awhile until you have enough peace and maturity to handle being around her.

If she says "God told me to steal" then you can simply give her these scriptures:

[h=3]James 1:12-14[/h]New King James Version (NKJV)

[SUP]12 [/SUP]Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. [SUP]13[/SUP]Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. [SUP]14 [/SUP]But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

 

[Ariel82]

"Sadly she's alone and wants nothing to do with me" perhaps she has reason.

Have you gossiped about her to others and tried to "prove" that she is a gossiper or has been bad mouthing them?

You have already judged her as NOT a christian and a hypocrite. I'm not sure if someone thought those things about me, I'd want to be around them either.

Perhaps she isn't the only one who needs to repent and change?

God wants us to love others despite their flaws.

I don't see how you can act Christian in public but steal. wouldn't you have to be in public to steal? like in the stares and stuff?

 

[MaggieMye]

Rosey, you are correct. Many call themselves Christian, but do not KNOW Christ personally...PERSONALLY as their Savior. She will answer to God and unless she Truly repents, she will be told "I never knew you".

Ariel82: "You have already judged her as NOT a christian and a hypocrite. I'm not sure if someone thought those things about me, I'd want to be around them either.As Christians, we ARE to judge the behavior of those who also call themselves 'Christian'. We are to hold each other accountable and BE our brother's keepers! Have you not read the Scriptures??
And secondly, do you not hear the PAIN in Rosey's post? Where is your compassion??
Maggie

 

[fredjames]

Peace be with you, the LORD has placed you there as a vessel of HIS love for your family. i completely understand it wasn't an easy thing to overcome but only by the help of the LORD, the anointing in you in service to others. i admire and thank GOD the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
While you suffer your mother have time for reconciliation with GOD but when and will it ever happen?
Please remember the story of the 'Prodigal son'. The elder son in faith in service to the FATHER was always bitter towards his little faithless brother who went away and it manifested upon his return. But the FATHER remain always welcoming with a great welcome that also boost up the elder brother's bitterness.
This story highlighted my selfish feelings and desires that want to be bitter towards others. Forgetting once i was that same sinner forgiven of my multitude of sins. 'By grace through faith and it is the gift of GOD', i have received. 'Grace has been shown to you, show grace to others.'
i don't really care for them, i rather see them be punished for their wrongs while mine is excused.
i want to brag my labor for the LORD as HIS anointing is in me but HE rejects me as lawlessness because my heart is far away from HIS love for one another without complaint.
i have to discuss with my ADVOCATE in Heaven before i am put in trial for a murderer.
When the loving living GOD labor in us to gather, to whom this may concern, we in our'self' love to scatter.
'Those who cannot carry their own cross and follow ME, cannot be my disciples.'

 

[MaggieMye]

PS, Rosey: Satan knows the scriptures very well. He knows it to the point of cringing when we speak it...it is his enemy. Understand that there are many, many people that know the Word of God but do not LIVE the Word of God. The sad thing is, is that they are only fooling themselves because they THINK that if they ACT all 'Christian' and 'loving' to those that they need in their lives to get what they want (prestige, position, acceptance, etc) they will gain heaven. And they won't. They are deceived and live in Pride and Rebellion and it is usually because they, themselves, have suffered great rejection from someone that should have loved them when they were children. Ask God to reveal your mothers own heart to her.

James 1:26If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.

Deuteronomy 11:16Beware that your hearts are not deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods and worship them. Your mother's heart is deceived for she serves herself rather than Christ and His Kingdom.

And while you must honor your mother by being respectful, you do not need to obey her (respectfully decline for you are a grown woman) and you do NOT need to spend time with her or be in her presence and subject yourself to her wicked ways.
Maggie

 

[rosey]

Thank you for understanding what I was trying to say. I'm not angry with her I work out forgiving her on a regular basis, with the Lords help. I'm just sad that things are the way they are right now and hope and pray for reconciliation.

 

[mwc68]

My father is similar. He is different at Church than when he is with the family. I do know he has a good heart, but I sometimes question to myself some of the things he does. I don't think it is my place to say whether someone is a Christian or not since I have not been in their shoes.

 

[MaggieMye]

On the contrary! A person that calls themselves a Christian SHOULD be held accountable!! If he is doing things that do not line up with God's word, he needs to be told so and made held accountable. If he continues, then you can know he is not a TRUE Christian (the kind that obeys the Lord and will see heaven). IF there is no repentance, shake the dust from the proverbial shoes...and you CAN do this and still be respectful.
Maggie

 

[notuptome]

It has been said that the true test of a mans character is how he acts when he thinks no one is looking. Perhaps some of these folks would do well to realize that God is not just looking at us when we are at church.
Be not deceived God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man shall sow of that shall he reap. Sow to the flesh and reap of the flesh. Gal 6:7-8

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[hattiebod]

Hypocrisy is what keeps many from resisting Gods call. We need to remember tho' that it takes all shapes and sizes, strengths and weaknesses....there is no perfection till we go home. What we notice in others and critisise, we often ignore in ourselves, or we simply do not see our own 'planks'. What can drive a wedge into a relationship very quickly is when one feels one is seen as 'not good enough'. None of us are good enough...we may not fail the same way as someone else...but we do fail. Thankfully though, Christ endlessly forgives us and all who love Him. That is the hope for us all. God Bless, <><

 

[RedTent]

Rosey, I was just like you. I once spent three whole days up in the corner of a barn we had, tucked into the hay, crying. I would come out only to get some food and go to my bed to sleep. If I had the time I wasted over thinking about it (aaii'tt it awful, terrribbble Lord) I could have gotten through college on the time. I did myself harm and I did no good for her.

God says that she was the body He used to give you life, you owe her thanks. God says that who she is and how she lives is entirely His business, not yours. Besides, if you want God to give you forgiveness (you aren't perfect) he just can't do that unless you give it to others and that includes your Mom.

God can make good come from having the Mom you have. Only God knows what that is, maybe in being able to use it for growing in the Lord. But using it to judge her, or to say poor me instead of blessing God for your life is not using it in a way that God can manage it for your good.

 

[MaggieMye]

RedTent....a little compassion and understanding will go much further than fire a brimstone here. Rosey is HURT and young. Instead of judging HER, let's see if we can love her into the strength and courage she needs to deal with this situation.

Maggie

 

[jmlidea]

Go ahead and pray, but better yet bring this to the attention of a Clinical Psychologist. Your mother may be able to receive treatment; even if you are too afraid of to admit she needs it. Her actions sound like that of someone who isn't acting normally. Prayer never gets you very far if you are unwilling to act on it. So instead of throwing bible verses at you, I'll give you some real advice: get professional help... here's a link to help get you started:
Clinical Psychology - State Directory

 

[Graybeard]

Rosy, I don't know how old you are, but whatever your age is you just have to learn to forgive your mother and move on...bitterness and resentment will eat at your heart and you will grow to be very miserable. God will deal with her so don't worry that people don't know what she is like, all said and done she still is and always will be your mother. meditate on this:

1Pe 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
1Pe 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
1Pe 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

PS.......some REAL advise.......never turn your back on Scripture...it is the manual for life!.....read The Word...draw close to God and He WILL draw close to you!

 

[Angela53510]

Your mother may suffer from a personality disorder, and sadly, they don't change very easily. She sounds obsessed with herself.

My thought it to do as I have done for many years. I honor my parents, but I do not let them use or abuse me. I respect them, but I do not let them hurt me. I am even there for them, but I always have a grain of salt with my mom - she is "all about me." She always has been. So if you can say your mom's way of life is "all about me," then just treat her with respect and move on.

God might change her, but you cannot. You can only pray and hope God will get through to her hardened heart. God bless and some big hugs for you!

 

[TomH]

Rosy, I don't know how old you are, but whatever your age is you just have to learn to forgive your mother and move on...bitterness and resentment will eat at your heart and you will grow to be very miserable. God will deal with her so don't worry that people don't know what she is like, all said and done she still is and always will be your mother. meditate on this:

1Pe 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
1Pe 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
1Pe 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

PS.......some REAL advise.......never turn your back on Scripture...it is the manual for life!.....read The Word...draw close to God and He WILL draw close to you!

Amen, brother.

 

[TomH]

Your mother may suffer from a personality disorder, and sadly, they don't change very easily. She sounds obsessed with herself.

My thought it to do as I have done for many years. I honor my parents, but I do not let them use or abuse me. I respect them, but I do not let them hurt me. I am even there for them, but I always have a grain of salt with my mom - she is "all about me." She always has been. So if you can say your mom's way of life is "all about me," then just treat her with respect and move on.

God might change her, but you cannot. You can only pray and hope God will get through to her hardened heart. God bless and some big hugs for you!

Amen, sister.