There is a community of Christian people (which includes many denominations and some non-denominational churches) that I have been involved with who are very knowledgeable when it comes to matters of faith and have a firm grasp of the truth of the gospel. However, this community has many concerning blindspots where they do not seem able to understand or see some of the behaviors they engage in that conflict with Christian faith including unloving behavior toward those they disagree with and problems with pride and arrogance (these behaviors especially come out when it comes to things like politics; someone has suggested that this problem is not just affecting this community but the church as a whole these days when it comes to things like this). I seem to have developed some extremely negative feelings toward this community after witnessing these behaviors although I greatly appreciate them, their work and their standing for the truth. Please pray for this community and for me for how I feel about them. My own church is part of this community and sometimes I do run into issues with my church due to some people engaging in these behaviors I've mentioned. Thank you.
Christian community
- Thread starter Dhitlor
- Start date
We hear your heart and the burden you carry for this community of believers—one that stands firm on the truth of the gospel yet struggles with blind spots that distort the love and humility Christ calls us to embody. It is a painful tension to witness, especially when those who defend truth do so in ways that betray the very heart of the gospel. Scripture warns us in 1 Corinthians 13:2, "If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing." Knowledge without love is empty, and even the most sound theology can become a clanging cymbal when wielded with pride or arrogance.
The behaviors you describe—unloving conduct toward those with differing views, pride in political or doctrinal stances, and a lack of self-awareness—are not merely minor flaws but serious distortions of Christ’s command to love one another (John 13:34-35). Politics, in particular, has become a stumbling block for many in the church, where allegiance to earthly ideologies often eclipses allegiance to Christ. We must remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), and our unity in Christ should transcend political divides. When we allow pride to take root, we become like the Pharisees Jesus rebuked in Matthew 23:23-24, who were meticulous in their obedience to the law yet neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Your struggle with negative feelings toward this community is understandable, but we must guard our hearts against bitterness or resentment, for they can take root and defile many (Hebrews 12:15). It is possible to love deeply while still recognizing and addressing sin. In fact, love compels us to speak truth, but always in a spirit of gentleness and humility (Galatians 6:1). We encourage you to examine your own heart first—are these feelings rooted in righteous indignation, or have they crossed into judgment or contempt? Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:1-5 not to judge others hypocritically, for we all have planks in our own eyes that need removing.
Let us pray for this community and for your heart in this matter:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up this community of believers who love Your truth but struggle to live it out in love. Lord, we ask that You would open their eyes to the blind spots You have revealed to us—the pride, the arrogance, the unkindness that has crept in, especially in how they engage with those they disagree with. Soften their hearts, Father, and remind them that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Help them to see that their witness is not just in what they profess but in how they love. We pray for humility to take root in their hearts, that they would consider others as better than themselves (Philippians 2:3) and that their conversations would be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6).
For our brother/sister who has brought this burden before You, we ask that You would heal their heart of any bitterness, resentment, or judgment that may have taken hold. Fill them with Your love, Lord, so that they may see this community through Your eyes—flawed but redeemed, in need of grace just as we all are. Give them wisdom in how to navigate these relationships, whether it be through gentle correction, prayer, or simply leading by example. Help them to love deeply, even when it is difficult, and to trust that You are at work even in the midst of these struggles.
We also pray for the broader church, Lord, that we would not be divided by politics or pride but united in Christ. Remind us that our battle is not against each other but against the spiritual forces of darkness. May we be known by our love, as Jesus said we would be (John 13:35), and may that love draw others to You. We ask all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the One who is Truth and Love incarnate. Amen.
We encourage you to continue seeking the Lord in this, asking Him to give you opportunities to be a light in this community. Sometimes, God uses faithful believers like you to gently challenge and encourage others toward growth. Remember, too, that your own church is not immune to these struggles, and your presence there is an opportunity to model Christlike love and humility. Pray for your pastors and leaders, that they would shepherd this flock with wisdom and grace, addressing these issues with truth and love.
Lastly, we want to remind you that our ultimate hope is not in the perfection of the church on earth but in the perfect love of Christ. The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints, and we are all in need of God’s grace daily. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and trust that He is at work even in the messiness of His bride.
The behaviors you describe—unloving conduct toward those with differing views, pride in political or doctrinal stances, and a lack of self-awareness—are not merely minor flaws but serious distortions of Christ’s command to love one another (John 13:34-35). Politics, in particular, has become a stumbling block for many in the church, where allegiance to earthly ideologies often eclipses allegiance to Christ. We must remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), and our unity in Christ should transcend political divides. When we allow pride to take root, we become like the Pharisees Jesus rebuked in Matthew 23:23-24, who were meticulous in their obedience to the law yet neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Your struggle with negative feelings toward this community is understandable, but we must guard our hearts against bitterness or resentment, for they can take root and defile many (Hebrews 12:15). It is possible to love deeply while still recognizing and addressing sin. In fact, love compels us to speak truth, but always in a spirit of gentleness and humility (Galatians 6:1). We encourage you to examine your own heart first—are these feelings rooted in righteous indignation, or have they crossed into judgment or contempt? Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:1-5 not to judge others hypocritically, for we all have planks in our own eyes that need removing.
Let us pray for this community and for your heart in this matter:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up this community of believers who love Your truth but struggle to live it out in love. Lord, we ask that You would open their eyes to the blind spots You have revealed to us—the pride, the arrogance, the unkindness that has crept in, especially in how they engage with those they disagree with. Soften their hearts, Father, and remind them that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Help them to see that their witness is not just in what they profess but in how they love. We pray for humility to take root in their hearts, that they would consider others as better than themselves (Philippians 2:3) and that their conversations would be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6).
For our brother/sister who has brought this burden before You, we ask that You would heal their heart of any bitterness, resentment, or judgment that may have taken hold. Fill them with Your love, Lord, so that they may see this community through Your eyes—flawed but redeemed, in need of grace just as we all are. Give them wisdom in how to navigate these relationships, whether it be through gentle correction, prayer, or simply leading by example. Help them to love deeply, even when it is difficult, and to trust that You are at work even in the midst of these struggles.
We also pray for the broader church, Lord, that we would not be divided by politics or pride but united in Christ. Remind us that our battle is not against each other but against the spiritual forces of darkness. May we be known by our love, as Jesus said we would be (John 13:35), and may that love draw others to You. We ask all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the One who is Truth and Love incarnate. Amen.
We encourage you to continue seeking the Lord in this, asking Him to give you opportunities to be a light in this community. Sometimes, God uses faithful believers like you to gently challenge and encourage others toward growth. Remember, too, that your own church is not immune to these struggles, and your presence there is an opportunity to model Christlike love and humility. Pray for your pastors and leaders, that they would shepherd this flock with wisdom and grace, addressing these issues with truth and love.
Lastly, we want to remind you that our ultimate hope is not in the perfection of the church on earth but in the perfect love of Christ. The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints, and we are all in need of God’s grace daily. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and trust that He is at work even in the messiness of His bride.
We're right there with you, feeling the tension and the pain. It's tough to see people we love and respect struggling with blind spots, especially when it comes to love and humility. But remember, we're all works in progress, and God's grace is enough for each of us, just as it is.
Let's pray for this community, that God would give them eyes to see their blind spots, hearts to feel the weight of their sin, and courage to turn from pride and arrogance. Let's ask God to fill them with His love, so they can love others as He loves us.
And let's pray for you too, dear friend. That God would give you wisdom and grace to navigate these relationships. That you would love deeply, even when it's hard, and trust that God is at work, even in the midst of these struggles.
Let's keep seeking the Lord together, asking Him to use us to be lights in this community, gently challenging and encouraging others towards growth. And let's remember, our hope is in Christ, not in the perfection of the church. He's the author and perfecter of our faith, and He's at work, even in the messiness of His bride.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Let's pray for this community, that God would give them eyes to see their blind spots, hearts to feel the weight of their sin, and courage to turn from pride and arrogance. Let's ask God to fill them with His love, so they can love others as He loves us.
And let's pray for you too, dear friend. That God would give you wisdom and grace to navigate these relationships. That you would love deeply, even when it's hard, and trust that God is at work, even in the midst of these struggles.
Let's keep seeking the Lord together, asking Him to use us to be lights in this community, gently challenging and encouraging others towards growth. And let's remember, our hope is in Christ, not in the perfection of the church. He's the author and perfecter of our faith, and He's at work, even in the messiness of His bride.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Similar Requests
There is a Christian community that consists of certain denominations (and some churches who have no denomination) that really holds to the truth of the gospel well. They are very knowledgeable when it comes to matters of faith. I've been involved with this community a lot although I don't...
There is a community of Christian people who are very knowledgeable about matters of faith and who hold to the truth of the gospel extremely well. But this community also has many blind spots where they cannot see certain concerning problems that they have when it comes to walking as a...
Dear Christian community, A friend of mine, ###, is facing some troubles at the moment. She has a baby girl, ###, ### months. Heavenly Father, we lift up ### to You, please help her as she doesn't know where her husband ### is. Please help ### find a new place to live soon as she has ### days...
