The Top 10 Types Of #Christians You Don't Want To Be

There are probably as many denominations of Christianity around the world as there are people. Which is a lot.

Some differ on big things, most differ on the small things, and if they have Jesus as their Savior by Grace and Faith, then essentially they could qualify as legit Christian.

But among those many millions of Christians spread out through the thousands of different denominations, there are at least 10 TYPES OF CHRISTIANS YOU DON'T WANT TO BE!

We're going to go through the list, and then sum it up with what one would want to look like. Let's begin!

10. The Conquistador: Death to the infidel!

Thankfully we don't see too many of these. This is the type that literally goes around killing people in the name of religion.

To the world's relief, there's not too many incidents of people going around murdering others "in the name of Jesus" today.

And most of what you hear about the #Crusades where Christians were going around murdering Muslims and Jews for Jesus, Treasure, and Fame are lies. This article talks at more depth on it.

But regardless of what's been said, there have been and still are accounts where people were killing in the name of religion.

As a Christian this should NEVER be the case for us on a few counts:

1. Jesus came to end religion, not start another one
2. We never see anything promoted, supported, or demonstrated in the life and teachings of Jesus - so far that when Peter cut off the ear of one of the high priests who came to arrest Jesus, Jesus told Peter to put the sword away and He healed the priest! Hardly the act of a warlord.
3. We're told to pray for our enemies...not hurt them

Final words on this: don't kill anyone... it's bad form for evangelism.

9. Hell Fire: You're Going To Hell You Sinner!

The best example of someone behaving this way would be the West Boro Baptist Church. I only link them on here so you can get a picture of what not to do.

This is the type of Christian whose message is founded upon hate. In fact "hate" is even in their promotional material.

I suppose that this method works for some, but few. The evidence is in the reality that some people actually go to that church and support their views.

But when it comes to Jesus, again as in the example of the conquistador, we don't see Jesus talking like that.

In fact in 1 John 4, the whole chapter really talks about how if one man says he loves Go yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For God is love. How can he say he loves God who he cannot see and hate his brother who he can see?

Loving your neighbor doesn't negate the fact that most people are wrecking their lives with sin and need to change.

Nor does it negate the fact that a place called hell exists and it's a place of separation from God. People need to hear about that!

But this isn't about what you say; it's about how you say it. You can say the right thing and yet be wrong at the top of your lungs.

You ain't winning nobody if all you ever do is criticize, threat, and condemn. The Bible says that it is the goodness of God that leads a man to repentance.

We as Christians can talk about people's need for repentance, but it must be marinated and peppered in the goodness of God.

8. The Perfectionist

This is kind of like the Hell Preacher, only this person isn't condemning you with their words - it's with their face.

You know when they're around because they make you feel like you're one inch tall.

Around them you're never good enough, you can't pray enough, you can't be holy enough and they let you know in some form or another.

This is really unattractive!

Not only that it's not accurate. No one is perfect except God. But somewhere somehow, some people get the impression that in order to be loved by God is to be flawless.

When this is their fundamental identity, it spills over into judgement. It's insecurity based. In fat as critical of you as they are, they are twice as critical towards themselves.

They live a life of stress and rituals and if they don't measure up, they beat themselves. You don't want to be like this person because it's not the way Jesus walked.

Yes Jesus is perfect and was 100% sinless. But we don't have any examples of Him judging people for their imperfection.

Sure there were moments of warnings, corrections, and conflicts. But He wasn't addressing imperfection. He was addressing that which was ruining a person's life and it was always based out of love.

It was for that very imperfection that He came to set us free of. He offered grace and freedom. Not criticism and guilt.

On top of that, remember the lady caught in the middle of adultery? Did Jesus whack her with a "holier than thou" reaction? No. He told her she could be better.

Let's do the same:

• be Holy for He is Holy
• accept the grace He has given us
• spread that to others
  

7. Lights Are Off: Christian By Name Only

This is the believer that says they're Christian but lives like the world. There really is no difference between them and a non-believer other than the fact this person says they're Christian.

You'll see them in church twice a year: Christmas and Easter and chances are it's because there's free cookies or their family brought them.

You will also see them living life as if they never knew Jesus: i.e.,

• sex
• drugs
• rock and roll
• etc.,

This is not to look down on anyone (because we don't want to be judgmental right?) Wrong.

If you're a follower of Jesus and you're living like the world, what's that saying about Jesus gift to you?

"But I'm under grace!" you say.

Paul's reply to you, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue sinning that grace may increase? By no means! How can we who have died to sin live any longer in it?"

When you profess to be a Christian and yet live like the world, you are telling them that there is no difference and therefore no need for Jesus.

Following Jesus goes beyond behavioral modification and just behaving better. Jesus actually came to bring us life and more abundantly and when we choose to settle for what the world has for us, we miss out on the real stuff.

It's a real bad testimony. People should see those who have Jesus in them and wonder why they are so different (in a good way).

6. The Cereal Christian

These are the fruits, nuts, and flakes. You know: just like cereal!

They're actually very difficult to talk to because they're so "spiritual" they're hard to get a grasp on.

They see a demon behind every tree. Or "thus saith the Lord" comes out before every other sentence.

They're just so spiritual that they seem fake.

Maybe it's real to them. But its a real turn off to everyone else.

I get it that we are not of this world. But Jesus also said that we are IN this world, while not being of it. Which means we still need to interact with those around us on a daily basis.

And if we as Christians are walking around like aliens, we're not being very effective influence wise.

People will avoid us not because of the Spirit of Christ that is in us (which is a legitimate reason to be hated by the world), but we will be hated because we're weird!

You can have Jesus AND be yourself. Or at least an improved version of it.

Remember that Jesus didn't weird anyone out when He was here. Crowds actually came to see Him. He was a pretty influential guy. He brought hope to many. He was relevant. HE STILL IS.

We can be like that too eh! Don't be weird.

5. Hypocrite

This one can be a medley of all the above. It's the person that says, "Do as I say not as I do."

That's frustrating to listen to isn't it? It's as if we're not allowed to do something, yet right around the corner they're doing the same thing.

It's like the person that says, "Sex is for marriage" and yet has 3 partners in different areas of the city.

Or the person that says, "God forgave me" and yet won't drop a grudge against you.

This is usually one of the main reasons I hear people using for why they don't go to church. "Too many hypocrites!"

To which I respond, "There's room for one more!"

Our aim as Christians isn't to be perfect but rather to be authentic. There will be times where we slip up. But let us not allow that to be the norm for how we live.

Do what you say. Let your yes be yes and no be no. And by all means allow others to mess up every now and then. We don't have to approve of it. But we do have to remember we're not perfect either. Grace goes a long way.

4. The Clap On/Clap Off

This is the Christian that is 100% Christian, but only on Sunday.

Once Monday hits it's back to the usual.

This is not to be confused with the hypocrite (though this is hypocritical) or the Lights Off (because they're actually trying), it's just limited to one day a week.

This is a sad way to live out your Christianity because it's not a weekend thing. It's a life time thing.

And if we think that we have to behave right or go to church in order for God to love us, or if we think that we can live like hell during the week only to "ask for forgiveness on Sunday" so we can start over again, we're missing the point.

When Jesus said He came to give us life and more of it, it was for our whole life.

Instead of being like the clap on/clap off lamp of the 90's, (i.e., turning our Christianity off and on when we please), lets remember that we are the light of the world (Matt 5) an that light should never be turned off.

The fruit of the spirit is for every moment of every day

• love
• joy
• peace
• patience
• kindness
• gentleness
• faithfulness
• self control

Not for when it's just convenient or for when someone is looking.

3. The Bored Enthusiast

This is the Christian that is so painfully bored with their life that it's surprising they're still alive.

They go to church, they read the Bible, they pray...but they don't know why. And all this seems dry and routine to them.

When you ask them why they're Christian, they might have an answer but it's not exciting. This person is someone that's blowing with the wind.

Jesus had more intended for us than just going to church and having a Sunday morning nap.

If your Bible is dusty chances are it's because you haven't really figured out what it's all about.

Imagine that in the Bible are stories of healings, miracles, rebellions, angels, demons, slaves being set free, etc.,  and that this is still happening today!

Don't let your Christianity get boring. Go out and figure out what Jesus was trying to get in you.

If this really is you, chances are a good remedy would be to go on a missions trip. Go somewhere in the world where Christianity is still being persecuted.

You'll see a passion in those believers that will spur you on to ask the question, "why are these people willing to lose home, family, and life over this Jesus stuff?"

The answer is because they've found the reality of it. Don't go any longer without looking for it. Your life depends on it.

2. The Noodle

This is the person that is really un-relatable in every way possible. When you go up to them to say hello, they just stare at you.

When you try to make friends with them, they brush you off.

This can permeate into any level of social status: the really popular to the not so popular.

What I'm highlighting is a person's unwillingness to connect with others. Notice I didn't say inability. Some people do struggle with making social connections.

What I want to address are those that don't even want to try.

As a Christian and a potential evangelist, you can't shut the world out.

You can't NOT talk to people because how else is someone going to hear about Jesus if you're not willing to let them into your life?

How are they going to see that you are the light of the world (since Jesus is in you) if you're not willing to be a part of their life?

Anti-socialism is annoying because our world is made up of relationships and when someone refuses to enter into those relationships, the world notices and resents it.

I'm not saying that we should totally care about what the world thinks about us because it's tough to live by those standards.

Nor am I saying that we need to get involved in things the world is simply for the sake of relationship.

But what I am saying is that the world is in desperate need of a love experience and you might be the only representative of Jesus around that can give that to them.

Don't shut people out. If they come to you, let them in.

If they reach out, touch them back with acknowledgement. When they say hi, say hello back and follow in the conversation.

1. Members Only - The Sin Jesus Likely Hated The Most

This is the "us four and no more" policy of some Christians. I've even heard of cases where someone came to a church and asked if they could join and the pastor turned them away saying, "We have enough members."

If that story is true its very shameful and I believe a lot of the world has experienced that from us as the church.

Instead of  being embraced by open arms they are rejected for a variety of reasons.

Maybe it's because of the way they look, the ideas they have, or a sin they struggling with. Maybe it was because the Christians there were insecure and didn't know how to bring someone new in.

Either way, it's painful to watch and painful for those experiencing it.

Something we as Christians should never do is turn someone away. Jesus didn't and if we as His representatives here on earth, how are we to do that?

Its understandable that meeting new people can be nerve wracking. It's understandable that embracing someone new can lead us to getting hurt. Especially if that person is just starting on their journey towards God.

But the pain of it is worth it. Jesus thought so when He came down and embraced us!

So What Are Your Thoughts?

Is there anyone in your life that you know has been behaving like any of the above? Is there any types that you can think of that aren't on this list? Let's get the conversation going! What would you think a #real Christian should look like?