'The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians. Who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.'
These words aren't straight from the Bible, but they are complete and utter truth in my opinion. Be very careful with what you say and do.
Most people won't be bothered about reading the Bible. To most, it is just a boring old book full of rules to make life dull. Which means if they're not going to read it for themselves, the only Bible they're likely to engage with is the life of the nearest Christians to them instead. What does your life look like? Faithful, upright and prayerful? Or tepid, easily influenced and worldly!?
Now I'm not trying to say the life of a Christian needs to always be full of smiles, hugs and perfect responses. That would just be annoying. But what I'm trying to say, is that if your peers have to see through your foul language, drunkenness, cheap joking and laziness, then something isn't right. In the gospel of Matthew (7v16) it says that you will be able to recognise them by their fruit. 'Them' being God's people; 'their fruit' meaning what their faith in Jesus amounts to in day to day living. Look around the different areas of your life - the friendships, the habits and the hurdles. Which patterns have you grown so accustomed to that you no longer recognise their ugliness? I bet there are loads.
We are to be the change we wish to see in the world. And that aint likely to take place if we're coming across as hypocritical or half-hearted. It's time to pull your socks up and start looking for the areas of life that are gonna bear the fruit.
Don't wimp out just cos it seems too much like hard work; there are lives at stake after all.
