I'm a Bad Christian...

[shawntc]

Recently I can't help but think that I'm just a bad Christian. I've felt this way before. I feel like I shouldn't even openly call myself a Christian, because when I see how I'm living, it's a disgrace to Jesus to say I'm a follower of his. This world has enough people that call themselves "Christian" yet live just like the world. I will not profane the name of Jesus like that.

I do believe I'm saved. I believe, I know, that God is real and that following him is the best thing I can do in this life. But I don't seem to have much faith. It seems I don't really trust God as much as I say I do. In particular, there's some things I'd like to get off of my chest, which make me feel like a "bad Christian."

• I don't feel grateful toward God/Jesus.
• I'm afraid of letting God touch me emotionally.
• I swear constantly, even when it's unnecessary.
• I make perverted jokes and laugh at them openly.
• I find myself looking at and thinking of the opposite gender inappropriately.
• I barely pray more than a few minutes before going to bed, and not much any other time.
• I get annoyed with my mother and hardly interact with my father.

Sigh... yep.

 

[wwjd_kilden]

The bible is full of sinners of all shapes and sorts.

The only thing God cares about is this: Are you willing to make an attempt to change?
The past is irrelevant, God wants to know that you are willing to make a geniuine attempt to follow Him now, and in the future.

 

[Timofree]

The truth is, none of us (and if we ever think we can, that's pride ;S), by ourselves could ever reach God's standard, whether somones commited mass murder, or told one lie, they've falling short of God's standard.......that's where Jesus steps in!

He sets us free from the law, and gives us grace to enable us not to sin......the amazing thing is, God has forgiven us in Christ (Colossians 3:13), but that shouldn't make us want to sin, but empowers us to say no, and a big thank You to our awesome God!!!!

Whether you feel like it or not, right now you are the righteousness of God in Christ!

 

[FirePanther]

Recently I can't help but think that I'm just a bad Christian. I've felt this way before. I feel like I shouldn't even openly call myself a Christian, because when I see how I'm living, it's a disgrace to Jesus to say I'm a follower of his. This world has enough people that call themselves "Christian" yet live just like the world. I will not profane the name of Jesus like that.

I do believe I'm saved. I believe, I know, that God is real and that following him is the best thing I can do in this life. But I don't seem to have much faith. It seems I don't really trust God as much as I say I do. In particular, there's some things I'd like to get off of my chest, which make me feel like a "bad Christian."

• I don't feel grateful toward God/Jesus.
• I'm afraid of letting God touch me emotionally.
• I swear constantly, even when it's unnecessary.
• I make perverted jokes and laugh at them openly.
• I find myself looking at and thinking of the opposite gender inappropriately.
• I barely pray more than a few minutes before going to bed, and not much any other time.
• I get annoyed with my mother and hardly interact with my father.

Sigh... yep.

Shawntc as first thing, it's nice to see you opening your self with your brothers and sisters and not hiding your self behind a mask. Also God is happy when we are honest and sincere with him saying what we feel, what we are and not lying to Him and to ourselves.. This is a positive thing ..
Also, this is a sign you want to change your actual situation.. You reicognize that you need God's help to change and also you reicognize that with your own strenght you can't do it at all because all your efforts are useless because of our human nature. It may look weird to you, but you are in a perfect position for reiceving God's help in your life, to be forgiven and to start a new life with Him.

Read this from the Bible, you may already know it, but look in the deeper meaning of it:

Luke 18:10-14
10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Only those who reicognize with humbleness their nature of sinners reiceve his forgiveness, because "those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who umble themselves will be exalted". So confess your sins to Jesus, tell him about his situation, and ask Him to change you and to lead you into his truth! If you put your trust in Him with a desire to change and being changed and forgivened by him, he will do. This is my experience, I realized I couldn't follow him with my strenghts and efforts, but only surrendering to Him and understanding I needed Him to be a true follower of Christ. Alone, we can't do nothing!

John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing

The only way you can bear much fruit, is with His help if you start remaining in Him. Apart from him you will only fail, that's hour human nature:

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

So this is my humble encouragement: You reicognized your situation. Surely it's not what God wants for your future and for your life, and that way you will live always with sadness and regret. But Decide to take a time for meeting God.. Pray, search for Him, i'm sure He will answer you if you'll search with all your heart, but take this chance for meeting the living God for real in your life !

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

For any problem, doubt or suggestion I will be avaible for you together with all other brothers and sisters in the forum, I really want to support you because I've passed through period like yours and I was helped only by Him!

A big hug from a brother in Christ from Italy,
Donato

 

[JimJimmers]

Hi Shawn! You were bold to step forward and tell us exactly what was on your heart. Now we will stone you.

Kidding! We're all a bunch of sinners. You've made the first step, you've been convicted on some issues you have, and you want to be better. I can empathize with that.

Take it all to Jesus bro. Tell Him exactly what you told us. Confess your sins, and ask for forgiveness. Ask Him to change you, you can't change by yourself. Also, one thing I've learned: Always be entirely truthful with Him. Don't say "I want to stop making dirty jokes." You probably don't. The Bible says sin is a pleasure. Tell the truth: "I love making dirty jokes. But I know it's not pleasing to you, Lord. Please change me to be more like you."

Pray your own words, but I thought I'd give you an idea of some stuff I've learned over the years. Only one more thing: Ask Jesus to fill you with The Holy Spirit, like it's mentioned in Acts chapter 2. That really helped me.

 

[Jewliah]

It sounds like you need to change your environment and who you are hanging out with. If you deliberately place yourself in a pure environment with pure friends then you will change with God's help. He expects us to act like Him! If you hang around people who cuss, drink, make sexual innuendos then you will do likewise.

Remember that if it were up to you then you wouldn't be righteous at all. It is up to Jesus who works in us. Let Him shine through you. Let yourself be like a transparent glass and let His light shine through for all to see. You just need to learn to say no to yourself. Are you watching TV? Inappropriate sitcoms or adult cartoons? Turn it off. Read your bible DAILY! You know what to do. You just need some encouragement.

God bless!

 

[shawntc]

Not to sound drastic, but: some of these are basically unrepented sins. Does the fact that these unrepented sins exist in my life affect my salvation?

 

[SpaceCowboy]

This is good. This post shows repentance in your heart. Act on it and come to God fully.

 

[Lucy68]

Not to sound drastic, but: some of these are basically unrepented sins. Does the fact that these unrepented sins exist in my life affect my salvation?

Jesus said 'If you love me, you will obey me'. I suggest studying the gospels very intently and praying for the desire to want to change. It's a good start.

I spent 3 years enjoying a pity party and weighed down with resentment. I really didn't want to forgive....but when I started praying for God to give me the DESIRE to want to change, that's when things began getting better. That can happen for you too

He meets every need that is brought to Him sincerely.

He isn't trying to take the fun out of everything, but He does want us to have healthy desires. Sin hurts us. It also separates us from God.

Praying for you for strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit .

 

[Livi94]

The entire time i was reading your post I kept thinking bout this song: Times - Tenth Avenue North - YouTube
Pleaseee listen to it <3
(Its also my sig)
God Bless!

~Olivia

 

[Kyouken01]

Sir, I believe you know what you need to do - you know what you've done wrong; you just need to act towards fixing it. You can change, man. God is epic, you know

Some verses for you (this is the third time tonight I've posted these):
Romans 12:1-2
"I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God."

By renewing your mind, you'll stop temptation where it strikes first - your thoughts. We aren't tempted with what we don't think. If we remove the source of influence on our thoughts, who knows - we might not have those thoughts at all! You can do it!

 

[shawntc]

Jesus said 'If you love me, you will obey me'. I suggest studying the gospels very intently and praying for the desire to want to change. It's a good start.

I spent 3 years enjoying a pity party and weighed down with resentment. I really didn't want to forgive....but when I started praying for God to give me the DESIRE to want to change, that's when things began getting better. That can happen for you too

He meets every need that is brought to Him sincerely.

He isn't trying to take the fun out of everything, but He does want us to have healthy desires. Sin hurts us. It also separates us from God.

Praying for you for strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit .

This is good advice. I don't feel like God is trying to take the fun out of things. Rather, you might say his laws are designed to make life even better and, if you will, even more fun.

The entire time i was reading your post I kept thinking bout this song: Times - Tenth Avenue North - YouTube
Pleaseee listen to it <3
(Its also my sig)
God Bless!

~Olivia

I must admit that music doesn't really help. I guess I'm just not wired to respond to it like everybody else seems to. It's a nice song, though!

 

[Timofree]

Not to sound drastic, but: some of these are basically unrepented sins. Does the fact that these unrepented sins exist in my life affect my salvation?

Our salvation is based on the finished work of Jesus, and our acceptance and acknowledgement of Him as Lord and saviour!

If our salvation was based on our repentance of sin, I doubt anyone would make it to heaven. (Of course in the process of coming to Christ we should repent, 1 John 1:9)
When you consider God's perfect standard, sins of not doing whats right, sins of doing what's wrong, being fearful or anxious about something and not trusting God etc etc. If anyone thinks they can reach God's standard, they first need to repent of pride!

Jesus preached the law when He was on earth, be perfect as your Father is perfect should make anyone who reads say that's not possible, I need a saviour!!! People should look on His teaching and cry out for help, rather than say ok then I'll be perfect!

It's not a case of you being anxious about something, then the next second Jesus comes back before you repent, and you go to hell...........

 

[Lucy68]

You're not 'bad' Christian; you're a 'waking-up' Christian....hallelujah!!!

Praying for your continued growth...go for the prize

 

[eugenius]

Shawntc, none of us is perfect. But let me just say that you sound very much like the Publican in the Pharisee and Publican parable. The publican repented and did not feel that he is worthy to be God's son, while the pharisee boasted of how perfect he is. And it was the publican that went away justified before God.

19] [10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
[12] I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.'
[13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 18.

As long as you realize you are wrong in all the areas you listed, that means you repented already. Ultimately being a Christian means living all your life feeling that you are unworthy.

You say you are not thankful to Jesus, well you should be, because even though you did all the things you listed, because of Jesus, God forgives you.

 

[shawntc]

You say you are not thankful to Jesus, well you should be, because even though you did all the things you listed, because of Jesus, God forgives you.

I should be but I know I'm not, and it bothers me.

 

[Lucy68]

I should be but I know I'm not, and it bothers me.

That's a good sign and a good start

God will make us miserable to make us good.

 

[Snackersmom]

I should be but I know I'm not, and it bothers me.

That's awesome, I love your honesty. You might want to ask Jesus to make His sacrifice more "real' to you, to help you understand what it cost Him (it was SO much more than just dying for us, He actually took on God's wrath all by Himself, for our sake). These prophesies about Jesus from Isaiah 53 might help:

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to slaughter.............Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief.........He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities"

It's neat how honest you are about how you feel, take this honesty to straight to Jesus, it's not like He doesn't already know . Ask for His help, he loves you! -Nichole

P.S. It would also be a good idea to ask Jesus to fill you with The Holy Spirit, if you haven't already. It's really important!

 

[Tommy4Christ]

Recently I can't help but think that I'm just a bad Christian. I've felt this way before. I feel like I shouldn't even openly call myself a Christian, because when I see how I'm living, it's a disgrace to Jesus to say I'm a follower of his. This world has enough people that call themselves "Christian" yet live just like the world. I will not profane the name of Jesus like that.

I do believe I'm saved. I believe, I know, that God is real and that following him is the best thing I can do in this life. But I don't seem to have much faith. It seems I don't really trust God as much as I say I do. In particular, there's some things I'd like to get off of my chest, which make me feel like a "bad Christian."

• I don't feel grateful toward God/Jesus.
• I'm afraid of letting God touch me emotionally.
• I swear constantly, even when it's unnecessary.
• I make perverted jokes and laugh at them openly.
• I find myself looking at and thinking of the opposite gender inappropriately.
• I barely pray more than a few minutes before going to bed, and not much any other time.
• I get annoyed with my mother and hardly interact with my father.

Sigh... yep.

The reason you are in question of your salvation, and still sinning like those in the world, is because you never repented!
The false churches will declare you righteous while your still a sinner, and you need to repent or perish.
What you are describing yourself to be is what is coming out of the saved in sin message, where you just recieve Jesus, confess you sin, and presto you are saved, no questions asked, so you have no guilt of acting as you do, because you are NOT saved, but there is hope young man, Jesus came to save sinners, and transform thier life, but you have your part to do:

When they say Repent​

and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke24:47
In the Present Day Church System Repentance has come to mean something Entirely different than the Bible definition. When they say ‘Repent’ (and many of them have eliminated the word from their vocabulary) it suggests a ‘TRUSTING’ in some kind of theological arrangement that fits into their systematic understanding of Scripture. In reality this is far removed from what Jesus and the Apostles Preached for the remission of Sins.
The Solid Foundation of following Christ is a Departure from Sin. (2Tim2:19) Remove this fundamental Premise from Repentance and you negate the entire process. Under Present theology man is Born a sinner having been imputed with the guilt of Adam and thereby incapable of free will. Thus this necessitates the creation of ‘Doctrine’ to bring about his Salvation apart from any effort on his part. So Repenting (if preached at all) means an Apology for ‘a nature’ you have no control over. The Best God can do is Save you ‘in your sins’, impute you with the Righteousness and Obedience of Jesus and then Pretend you’re no longer a vile sinner because you’re under Grace.
Since you Can’t forsake a ‘Nature’ (inbred into your flesh) a ‘Willingness’ to stop sinning qualifies for real Salvation. As long as you’re ‘Coming out’ of your sins, gradually, sinning less and less, it qualifies for real Salvation. Although in an effort to protest their faulty theology many preachers will say that the lack of fruit bearing translates into a false conversion. (Obvious Contradiction!) But bottom line they all insist that Salvation is ‘Not of Works’ (Eph2:8-9) and no one can Judge, so they well NEVER actually tell anyone that their behavior may jeopardize the outcome of their Salvation. Again, you’re ‘willingness’ is enough. You express that with a sorrowful apology and God will forgive.
However the Repentance in Scripture uses an ENTIRELY different language that’s completely foreign to Present day theology. First of all the Message is always addressed to the human Mind under the full assumption of Free Will ability to respond. God Does Not Coerce, He invites man to make a Choice. That’s why He Demands that Repentance and Faith be Proven by DEEDS! (Acts26:18) Notice the Vast difference in verbal communication:
”Let the Wicked forsake his ways and the unrighteous man his thoughts, let him return to the Lord”
”Listen and TURN from your evil ways!”
”Amend your ways and your doings and Obey the Lord!”
”He who covers his sins shall not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them shall find mercy.”
”Come Out from among them and be ye separate, says the Lord!”

No one in genuine repentance Presumes upon the Lord. They seek Reconciliation in brokenness and humility expecting nothing. Note the King of Nineveh directing his city to Turn:
Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? Jonah3:7-9.

When the Lord Himself spoke of Repentance in Matt12:38-42, he compared the Present Message preached to the message of Jonah, which includes an obvious departure from Sin in the Repentance Process. There wasn’t merely a ‘Willingness’ to Stop Sinning in Nineveh or some kind of apology to God for being sinful. The People got CLEAR of their Wrong Doing and Cried out to the Lord. They Obeyed the voice of the Prophet and PROVED it by their Deeds. This Matches Perfectly with the Model of Repentance explained in 2Cor7:10-11……

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Real Repentance Produces an Outcome:
Diligence to DO what is Right!
Clearing of Wrong Doing!
Fear of God
Vehement Desire Change
And PURITY of Heart
WHERE is any of this in the ‘TRUST’ Model?
You Apologize for being a sinner
Repeat some words
Then Trust you have Received Jesus into your heart
The Sin remains. The Bondage stays put. You’re a Slave to Who you Obey convinced you’re a child of God by proxy. (John8:39) Yet NO WHERE did Jesus EVER tell anyone to ‘Trust’ in His finished Work and Receive Him as their Personal Savior! Instead He told them to:

OBEY His Commands, Keep His Word, Put their hand to the Plow, Count the Cost, Take up your Cross, Be DOERS of the Word! Go and Sin no more. Deny yourself, Follow Me!
HOW Does any of this Translate into ‘Trust’ ? Is a Person trying to ‘Save themselves’ by Obeying God, Or Doing the Works of Righteousness? (1John3:7-8) It’s easy to be a hypocrite and follow the crowd down the wide Road to Destruction. You believe your preachers are saying all the Right things and they have your best interest at heart. But the Message is founded in Error based on a theology that Promises you Liberty in your sin. (2Pet2:18) In Salvation you Remain a Self-Confessed: ‘Wretched Man’, ‘Chief’ of Sinners, Double Minded, COVERED by Grace!
Instead of Repentance proven by Deeds, you TRUSTED in a Doctrine invented by men. In the Manner which you heard the message it ‘seems’ you have something. BUT what you have is Shifting Sands that will taken away at the Judgment. (Lk8:32)
Today’s Professing Christians are Vile and full of evil dispositions. They will not yield to Biblical truth
or crucify the passions and desires of their flesh. The preachers have them convinced that God will forgive all their sins because of Grace. They read the Bible but remain Blind to its precepts. (Never able to come to a knowledge of the truth! 2Tim3:7)
They have fallen Prey to Strong Delusion and given in to the error of the wicked. They Seem to have the upper hand with a Fashion of Christianity, but it’s a complete counterfeit. You’re only chance to escape these lies is to Come Out Now or be Judged with them. www.standingthegap.org

I pray you would read all of this, get out your Bible, and seek truth with all your heart and soul!
I will be praying for you!

 

[BlueAngel]

This doesn't make you a bad christian. We all go through our own trials. (psst... I'm not having the best time with my parents either, and I don't pray every night).