What is love?

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elysian

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Shalom,

What's love in the Christian sense? Let's say a certain person mocks you every time he gets the chance. You reason with him - it doesn't work. Put simply, he enjoys mocking you, hurting you. Love in this situation would mean what? If I deal with the problem by asking him not to come to my house (unless he stops hurting me), does that mean I don't love?

Some input please.

Thanks,
Elysian
 

Angelina

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Hi Elysian!

Our natural response would be to reject such a person from our lives....which is all part of our struggle as believers, when growing and maturing in Christ. Colossians 3:8-10, Galatians 5:16, 17, 18, 19-21, Galatians 5:22-23, 24-26

The bible makes it clear however, that we will be persecuted as believers. John 15:18-23, John 16:32-33, 2 Timothy 3:12-14

If the person you speak of, is a friend or a brother, I would ask them why they feel they need to mock and attack you like that, then you may be able to get to the root of the matter...placing yourself in someone else's shoes can often give you a better perspective of why they react the way they do. If the person is not a believer...I would pray for their salvation. JMHO

The bible says that love never fails: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 8. I believe that if we are bearing fruit, working out of love toward others [our neighbor] we are fulfilling what God commands us to do in his word. Matthew 22:37-40...

[I would reject however a "so called brother/sister only under these circumstances...and as the Lords leads 2 Timothy 3:1-3, 4-5]


Blessings!!! :)
 

aspen

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Elysian,

I am not sure you are serving your neighbor best if you give him the opportunity to mock and ridicule you without mentioning something and putting up some boundaries. Helping your neighbor learn how to treat people may be part of his/her sanctification if they are justified or if they are not, part of teaching them that people (you as a Christian) have value because you are a child of God.

The strange thing about it is that is more about their potential growth than it is about how you are being treated. As a Christian, you are called to love and love means service - teaching you neighbor how to treat people well is a real service,

Hope that helps
 

elysian

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Thanks, Angelina and Aspen. Psoriasis has made me a more convenient object of ridicule. Problem is, they don't realize what they're doing is wrong- they feel because they're 'friends', they can do this. Reasoning with them is pointless. I've done it and it only encourages them further. That's why I am wondering whether I must end such 'friendships'.
 

aspen

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Thanks, Angelina and Aspen. Psoriasis has made me a more convenient object of ridicule. Problem is, they don't realize what they're doing is wrong- they feel because they're 'friends', they can do this. Reasoning with them is pointless. I've done it and it only encourages them further. That's why I am wondering whether I must end such 'friendships'.

It sounds like they are not friends at all. Distancing yourself from them is not a bad idea. Who knows they may ask you why and you could have a fruitful conversation.
 

jiggyfly

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Good posts Angelina and Aspen, the scriptures instruct us that it is wise "not to cast your pearls to the swine" and it would seem that this would be applicable to this situation.

Elysian I would suggest confronting them with honesty of how you feel and then distance yourself from them if they persist.
 

NicholasMarks

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Shalom,

What's love in the Christian sense? Let's say a certain person mocks you every time he gets the chance. You reason with him - it doesn't work. Put simply, he enjoys mocking you, hurting you. Love in this situation would mean what? If I deal with the problem by asking him not to come to my house (unless he stops hurting me), does that mean I don't love?

Some input please.

Thanks,
Elysian


What you are describing here Elysian is bullying. It is a simple tactic whereby the bully targets someone who is vulnerable and keeps making asides and inuendos so that the person on the receiving end is emotionally weakened and damaged. Jesus was bullied and stood firm whilst warning us how to avoid such unfair and evil behaviour. The bully has an answer for every response to his attacks...but one...he needs to get his emotional feedback. This gives them a buzz at your expense. Don't give them that nervous charge. Turn the other cheek...Go the extra mile...Do not let them get through your righteous shield...avoid rather than put yourself on the firing line.

We must all learn to conquer the bully because they come in many shapes and forms demanding our inner spiritual strength...Jesus taught us how to retain it for our own needs. And how to nurture it in readiness for our resurrection.