Unbelievers or non-Christians have their own opinions and views on religion. And for sure, they also have their own thoughts about Christianity. From the outside looking in, it is really hard to understand what being a Christian is all about. This religion and belief aren't just something you can understand through reading books; Christianity is a way of life. Do you want to know what the common misconceptions about Christianity are? Read it here.
1. Christians are always happy.
Christians tend to have a happy and positive disposition in life. We believe that seeing the good in things is a way to appreciate what God has given us. However, this doesn't mean that we don't have our share of heartache or loneliness. Even Christians get sad and lonely at times, too. We grieve, we get our hearts broken, we face challenges and we feel disappointments as well. It's not true that when you're a Christian, you'll be smiling and laughing all day; we're all humans after all. However, the truth is, our hearts do rejoice in Christ every single day and for us, that's true happiness.
2. Christians are problem-free.
Many non-believers think that when you enter the Christian flock, that all your problems will be solved – just like that. They think that God will no longer give Christians problems and challenges, that life will be smooth sailing from here on out. Obviously, this is not true. Contrary to what many may believe, God does give us problems to help us grow closer to Him. However, He will not give us anything beyond what we can handle. So no, we are not problem-free, but we are worry-free because God is on our side.
3. Christians are preachy.
I've heard non-Christians tell me that the Christians they know always try to preach to them. This makes them resist the idea of meeting God more. There may be a little truth to this, but that is only because every Christian's duty is to spread the gospel and invite more people to God's church. The only question here is how Christians do it. Since there is no set of guidelines on how to disciple others, Christians go about it their own ways. Some may come across too preachy, but behind it all is a genuine intention to help someone meet and grow close to God.
4. Christians are obliged to give a tithe.
This is a very common misconception in Christian churches – that all Christians are required to give a tithe. The truth here is that most Christians are not forced to give tithes during Sunday services. If they opt to give, it's because they want to, out of a sense of love for their God and their church, and when they do that's appreciated. They may be invited to give, even encouraged to give, but at the end of the day, it's up to the individual and what is in their heart. And it's important to stress that tithing doesn't mean that the more you give, the more rewards you'll have from the Lord. To God, what matters is a heart willing to give, not how much.
5. Christians are rich - or will become rich.
It's a bit ridiculous to believe, but there are those who believe that Christians enjoy prosperity. This may be because they also believe that God blesses Christians with financial wealth. This is completely untrue. Not all Christians are rich and becoming a child of God doesn't mean you'll become rich too. For us Christians, what matters is the wealth we work hard for in heaven and not the material things on Earth.
It's very common for unbelievers to think this way about Christianity. It's simply because they haven't experienced being part of a supportive and caring Christian community. And more importantly, they haven't been immersed in the mercy and love of the Lord. We must not hold these thoughts against them, but rather, continue to pray that they open their hearts to the Lord. Do not let these misconceptions affect your faith, but instead, remain steadfast and continue the work the Lord has given you.
