From time to time, I post stuff on my FB... sometimes it's just to stir the pot... sometimes it's because I was irked. I posted this when I was irked.
I know I can't be the only one who has ever run into these people before, though. Anyway, this is what I wrote:
I’ve noticed something very alarming about Christians that I think needs to be addressed. I like to call it “Feigned Piety”.
So, what is feigned piety, and how is it used?
1) It must be public. In order for the “Christian” to have their ego and self-righteousness satiated, they must first make a public address or post about the issue. The post is usually unsolicited or unwarranted – meaning, no one actually asked for the information that is given or cares about it. It is done solely for the person’s own “piety”.
2) It is either a blatant condemnation against a person or a passive aggressive judgment against a person or group of people.
3) The “Christian” makes it evident that they do not agree with the person(s) or group of people that they are condemning and that they made the choice to not participate or break away from said group.
4) Finally, and this is the most important part of feigned piety, the “Christian” will always, ALWAYS say that they “heard” from God or that God “showed” them something. They claim that the ultimate authority deemed them right and the others wrong; therefore, making their claim without contestation to other Christians.
Feigned Piety is a disgusting display of self-righteousness that is reminiscent of the Pharisees. Of all the people that Jesus came in contact with, He had the harshest, most critical stance towards the Pharisees.
Rightfully so.
Facebook seems to be a festering harbor for the feigned pious. People have an open forum and an open voice just like the Pharisees and will openly condemn others and flaunt their self righteousness.
An example would be:
God showed me something today. He told me that I should pray for all the Christians that eat butter. God revealed to me how sinful this is and delivered it from me. Because of this, I removed myself from certain friendships which contained butter eaters. It wasn’t easy, and I had to really pray about it, but God provided me with several people who refrain from eating butter. It has been a long, hard struggle, and I’ve often been blinded by those that eat butter. Praise the Lord!
This is, of course, a silly example, but the premise is the same.
If you are a Christian, and you really, REALLY heard from God, then that is a private thing between you and God. You don’t need to be announcing it to everyone to boost your own pride and stroke your perceived self righteousness.
Moreover, if you have an issue with anyone, then it should be handled privately. If you would like share your resolution to a problem with someone who could benefit from your advice, then it should be done privately.
The only thing you are doing is presenting your self-righteousness to people in a nauseating manner as you hop up on your self-created pedestal and say “Look at me! I’m better than you and more of a Christian!”
Also, since you have the audacity to say you heard directly from God, how is a Christian supposed to question that? Exactly how do we know you have any authority? Moreover, why is God giving you any authority instead of convicting us? You are not the Holy Spirit. Stop acting like it.
Contain your self-righteousness and condemnations. Let God be the judge.
I know I can't be the only one who has ever run into these people before, though. Anyway, this is what I wrote:
I’ve noticed something very alarming about Christians that I think needs to be addressed. I like to call it “Feigned Piety”.
So, what is feigned piety, and how is it used?
1) It must be public. In order for the “Christian” to have their ego and self-righteousness satiated, they must first make a public address or post about the issue. The post is usually unsolicited or unwarranted – meaning, no one actually asked for the information that is given or cares about it. It is done solely for the person’s own “piety”.
2) It is either a blatant condemnation against a person or a passive aggressive judgment against a person or group of people.
3) The “Christian” makes it evident that they do not agree with the person(s) or group of people that they are condemning and that they made the choice to not participate or break away from said group.
4) Finally, and this is the most important part of feigned piety, the “Christian” will always, ALWAYS say that they “heard” from God or that God “showed” them something. They claim that the ultimate authority deemed them right and the others wrong; therefore, making their claim without contestation to other Christians.
Feigned Piety is a disgusting display of self-righteousness that is reminiscent of the Pharisees. Of all the people that Jesus came in contact with, He had the harshest, most critical stance towards the Pharisees.
Rightfully so.
Facebook seems to be a festering harbor for the feigned pious. People have an open forum and an open voice just like the Pharisees and will openly condemn others and flaunt their self righteousness.
An example would be:
God showed me something today. He told me that I should pray for all the Christians that eat butter. God revealed to me how sinful this is and delivered it from me. Because of this, I removed myself from certain friendships which contained butter eaters. It wasn’t easy, and I had to really pray about it, but God provided me with several people who refrain from eating butter. It has been a long, hard struggle, and I’ve often been blinded by those that eat butter. Praise the Lord!
This is, of course, a silly example, but the premise is the same.
If you are a Christian, and you really, REALLY heard from God, then that is a private thing between you and God. You don’t need to be announcing it to everyone to boost your own pride and stroke your perceived self righteousness.
Moreover, if you have an issue with anyone, then it should be handled privately. If you would like share your resolution to a problem with someone who could benefit from your advice, then it should be done privately.
The only thing you are doing is presenting your self-righteousness to people in a nauseating manner as you hop up on your self-created pedestal and say “Look at me! I’m better than you and more of a Christian!”
Also, since you have the audacity to say you heard directly from God, how is a Christian supposed to question that? Exactly how do we know you have any authority? Moreover, why is God giving you any authority instead of convicting us? You are not the Holy Spirit. Stop acting like it.
Contain your self-righteousness and condemnations. Let God be the judge.
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