If people are making fun of you for being a Christian (because you are different) here are some tips for dealing with it. But always consult the Bible and communicate with God in prayer; these are the most powerful tools Christians have. Also, for additional support, you can ask a pastor or minister about it.
Step 1
Try to Help Paranoid People by being pleasant and positive in the face of their mockery -- they may be reacting because of lacking self-confidence themselves.
Step 2
Think about whether you are doing anything that might be obnoxious. Get the log out your eye before you start on the splinter in someone else's eye.
Step 3
Try to get people's interest and thereby get their attention before launching into ministry and Stop Being Paranoid yourself.
Step 4
Be an example of Christianity. This is not a guarantee that they will start to like the religion, but they will see that they should respect you and your beliefs if you are respectful of them. Don't respect the evil: love the sinners; hate the effect of evil... Show God's love for the sinners; not mainly your love but God's love.
Step 5
Mind your own business; live by what you believe, but do not push your agenda onto others. This is what non-Christians hate most and oftentimes is what might draw criticism on your beliefs. Welcome it if someone asks about your faith, but don't shame people or push "Truth" onto them. Be kind. You can't expect to be accepted unless you accept others.
Step 6
If a person persists in bothering you, merely state that, "You are entitled to your own beliefs, and the same goes for me doesn't it?"
Step 7
Greet this person with several of your good friends and say how these guys support my rights to my beliefs, so why can't you?
Step 8
Think about arguing and fighting: "If an opponent [confronts or] strikes you, turn the other cheek". You could just accept what that person believes about you. At least you will know inside that you are the wiser person by being more mature.
Step 9
Remember generosity as best you can:
- "If someone asks you to carry a burden for a mile, go two miles."
- "If one asks for your cloak give him your shirt also." (That's: "He's so generous that he'll give you the shirt off his back!")
Step 10
Be blessed: "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the 'children of God'."
Step 11
Accept comments, complaints and compliments without acting defensively... "I will rejoice and be glad every day because the Lord has made all of them ".
Tips
- Read the Gospels - with the words that Jesus spoke when he was walking around the earth in the flesh! If you have or can get a red-letter edition notice that Jesus' words are in red...
- Always consult scripture and God through prayer, and "if need be" then talk to a pastor or minister.
- Do not resort to what they are doing. Be an example, but not proud of that example...
- Remember, being a Christian isn't always easy. God said that Christians would have to go through persecution. If you don't go through some persecution, you may want to check yourself to see if you still love God
- "Spread the gospel at all times, even if you have to use words." Do not always tell people that you are Christian. They should know by your actions. However, that quote does not mean go out and force religion onto others. As a Christian, you should know that is not what God wants for you or them.
- Visit other church gatherings but not too often. This gives you an opportunity to make new friends of the same belief as you, while being faithful to a meeting where people love you. If they don't, then look around for a better fit for your personality or check yourself for what you may be doing that bothers other people.
Warnings
- Sometimes you just can't keep hanging around the same old friends if they have the bad habits that you have given up. You many need to find new friends - Christian friends.
- If people are giving you an excessively hard time (i.e. verbal or physical abuse) about your beliefs, it might be the time to contact the police.
- The bible says to "As much as possible be at peace with all people." and avoid "taking your brother to court." Jesus even said, "If you will not forgive your brother his trespasses then neither will I forgive you."
- The "Ten Commandments" plus the law of "Perfect Love" in which Jesus said, "Love God with all your mind, soul and body, and love your neighbor as yourself" teach us that it is impossible to keep every law perfectly or to deserve eternal life and rewards from God. "For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God." so that we can only depend on God's grace through faith; saved without deserving or working for it... "into good works."
- Do not judge one another; not even yourself... be genuine, not phony!
