Christian

When a Preacher Laughs at “Religious People”

Cindy Dawson

With a broad grin, the young preacher said, “I did it because I knew religious people wouldn’t like it!” And the audience chuckled.

I’ve heard this before many times and in different words – preachers poking fun at their Christian brothers and sisters referring to them as “religious people”. It’s meant as a put-down to Christians in mainstream churches and it assures the audience that they have one up on the “unenlightened”.

I must speak out about about this because it should be a red flag. It has certainly become a red flag to me.

What does being religious really mean? According to Websters Dictionary, it means: scrupulously and conscientiously faithful, fervent, zealous.

That sounds admirable to me, but what these preachers are really saying is “religious” people are not in tune with our superior revelation of the Scripture.

In some churches, being “religious” has taken on a whole new meaning. It has become a put-down that comes from a spirit of pride and self-importance and it serves an important purpose. It labels all those faithful Christians who have walked with God and studied God’s Word for many years as people who don’t understand what we understand.

In effect, Christians who might caution you about false teaching are literally disinfranchised from the conversation.

It’s our human nature to want to feel smart. People like to feel like they know more, and have inside information others don’t have. It’s a seduction and it’s the oldest trick in the book.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:1-6 NIV

When I started writing this post today, I really didn’t want to discuss this topic again. (Is that all she thinks about?) So I decided to read for a while, thinking maybe God would lead me in a different direction. Instead, I came across an article that said, “To critics of discernment in general (Oh, discerners are unloving and way too judgmental.), I would say that silence is compliance. ” Pastor Larry Debruyn

If silence is compliance, then I must speak out. If you see a red flag, let it be a warning!

Unsound teaching calls out to anyone with Internet. Hopefully, you’ve never heard these kind of remarks and have no idea what I’m talking about, but if you do – examine carefully what is being taught. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts with you, today. Comments are welcomed and appreciated.

With Love, 

AA55AA1F-EA36-49A9-92BE-41FD67348618

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Maksym Ivashchenko on Unsplash

realchristianwomen.blog  

17 thoughts on “When a Preacher Laughs at “Religious People””

  1. Wonderfully stated. Thank you. There should be no elitism in being religious. We are, instead, called to be humble. Perhaps on the other side of the spectrum, those who say “I am spiritual but not religious” may not have a full understanding of Biblical teachings. God created order from chaos. With that, there is no “one size fits all” but also there is no “all sizes fit none” part of God. He wants us to worship Him, love Him with our whole minds, hearts, strength and soul. Without knowledge of His Word, without a “scrupulously and conscientiously faithful, fervent, zealous belief,” we fall short.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    2. Yes, and even WITH “scrupulously and conscientiously faithful, fervent, zealous belief” and knowledge of His Word, we fall short.
      How glorious that day will be when we are finally made absolutely perfect in the sight of our Heavenly Father, our most holy God!

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

  2. Great post Cindy! It makes me think of those who call certain denominations “holy rollers” as if to say, you can be too much of a Christian, or you can love God too much. And everyone who’s ever said that phrase was lacking in spiritual wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    2. Good point!
      It frustrates me to see that sort of attitude within the church… If we have truly been saved, we should desire to give our all to our Saviour. Our lives should be willingly, wholeheartedly, given over to His sovereign Lordship. He is our Master and we are His slaves, not the other way around.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  3. Thank you so much – I’m becoming more and more conscious of the many ways that we (myself included!) distance ourselves from others, often to make ourselves feel better. This fits right in with that and helps me expand my thinking on it.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  4. When I hear or read things like this it reminds me of the verse about a house being divided against itself cannot stand. I feel, I would not feel at home in my Fathers house if I was being told I am better than His other children, my brethren because they were in another house of the LORD. Great post Cindy 🙂 LORD, thank You for continuing to bless Cindy 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  5. Oh, this is disappointing to hear. Putting others down or making fun of them is never productive. If anything, it makes people defensive. Hopefully, this won’t become a trend.

    Thanks for sharing your concerns. It’s good to speak up!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  7. Cindy, you are not alone. This sort of attitude deeply grieves me as well. I mourn the apathy and low standards which are consuming so many churches these days. This sort of preaching does nothing but devalue the holiness, purity, set-apartness, righteousness, etc… which our Lord has called us to walk in.
    Keep standing for God’s Truth! ❤

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment