Why do Christians tell people how to live?
Q: I'm tired of Christian "friends" who are constantly telling me how I ought to live. I'll run my life any way I want to. It's none of their business what I do, as long as I'm not hurting anybody. -- W.W.
A: I doubt if anyone likes a proud, arrogant person who thinks they're better than we are, and constantly tells us that they're right and we're wrong. The Bible warns, "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight" (Isaiah 5:21).
But don't misunderstand me -- because I strongly suspect that these friends of yours aren't motivated by pride or arrogance, but by love. They see things about you that you aren't willing to admit, and they are convinced that you have chosen a path in life that only leads to disaster. If they didn't care about you they wouldn't bother saying anything -- but they do care, and they are genuinely concerned about you -- even if you aren't. The Bible says, "It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools" (Ecclesiastes 7:5).
In fact, they're so concerned about you that they are willing to risk your scorn and rejection, hoping they'll get through to you before it's too late. Don't let pride, or anything else, blind you to your need to face your own dangers -- and your need for God. Even if you think you aren't hurting anyone else by your behavior, you are hurting yourself.
Your greatest danger, however, is that you have left God out of your life. Are you wiser than He is? Do you know better than He does what's best for you? No, of course not. Turn instead to Christ, and discover the joy of living for Him every day.
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(Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.)
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