A Challenge to Every Person on this Site

[His By Grace]

I know that I am only one small voice and that I am relatively new here, but I would like to know if there are any other people out there that feel that some are using this to "vent" rather than discuss issues. I know that I have felt personal hurt at some of the comments directed toward me. Maybe they weren't intended that way, but my challenge to everyone is, if you feel that you are getting upset when you begin to make a post, stop and pray before posting. I know that when we respond with rude, ugly words, it is an extremely poor witness to anyone looking at this site who may be atheist, Muslim, or anything else. I am speaking to myself too. I don't think the gospel message should ever be compromised, but guys, there is a way to speak to one another without name-calling and insulting. Christ is not honored in this and are you thinking about your own agenda or are you even trying to see/hear what the other person is saying? What's the point if we can't listen to one another and pray for each other? Then this is a place just like the world has to offer- nothing more! Are we going to be set-apart or just like every one else on the wide road? It takes a lot of self-control to respond in kindness and to look into what your brother or sister is really saying-reading between the lines, thinking about where they're coming from, their background, their situations,etc. All of this matters! Let's think about Philippians Ch.2 where it talks about not disputing, but putting on the humility Christ had even though he was so deserving of faces bowing to the ground and not even looking upon Him! What a wonderful Savior we have! We should be the happiest people on earth! But I know we have the most trials because Satan is fighting to make us fall. Let's stick together and keep the faith. Let's be there for each other and encourage each other. I just felt I needed to share that. Thanks.

 

[DrBubbaLove]

And thank you.Many years ago as I was converting to Catholicism I would let my zeal for the Church become pride and often take such comments personally in forums like this. My pride said I had to "win" or get in the last word. Now I look at posting as an opportunity for me to better understand my own faith, grow in knowledge and to understand where others are coming from. It also helps me is to know that all Christians are seeking to know God, and whatever faith that currently is for them, we are all on a path that leads to God. So even if we disagree on a particular doctrine, we are all still Christians. Would rather have someone be a good Christian where they are at, than a bad Catholic.Prayer does help. As does writing, then saving and walking away before posting. If I can read what I saved tomorrow and still feel good about posting it, then it was probably said in the right spirit and ok to post. Often I find I can re-write it, remove any personal attacks and simply address the issue/question. It separates my emotions from my reasoning. Not that I always do this now, still have my off days.In writing things, especially when the topic is emotionally charged anyway, it is difficult to accurately communicate emotions/feelings. Either reading it or writing it, the meaning can be lost, misunderstood and easily twisted. Especially when two are not on the same page to begin with. In this forum we lack all the external clues; eyes, body language, tone...etc, that usually help us better understand what is really being expressed.

 

[His By Grace]

You are so right! Spoken with words of wisdom!

 

[tim_from_pa]

Missed it again! I didn't see any name-calling on this board even though I asked that on another thread where this was brought up. I guess I'm just the happy clueless one.

 

[Wakka]

A lot of us are blunt and straight to the point. If a person is a homosexual, then they are a sinner, and we make sure they know it.John 7:24Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.As for name calling, don't do it. It gets your nowhere.

 

[horsecamp]

I think when their are people of different christians views on the same board discussions will normaly at times become heated each is going to be very passonate about their beliefs . thats just part of having discussions with people of different christian views.their would even be disputes if every one were of the same Christian view.lets be honest We are not going to get rid of the effects of the old adam in each of us not on this side of heaven. Even if we could stop deeds we are not going to stop the mind that is even more ugly at times than deeds could ever be..thats why every one of us needs Jesus our only savior from our sin's.I think its more important that we forgive each other just as God in Christ has forgiven each one of us . and that is unconditionaly.would that not be even grander .Does a marriage breaks up over harsh or mean things ? or does it break up because one no longer loves the other or because one can no longer forgive the other?The reason the bible states that love is even greater than faith Is because when we are in heaven with Jesus we will no longer need faith. but love will always be in effect on this side of heaven and the other side to.yes Love is patient and Kind and not boastful But more importantly it is also forgives Unconditionaly Just as God In Christ has forgiven us.Gods blessing's

 

[Christina]

When I notice name calling I do try to delete it but everyone also needs to understand that often the typed word conveys a different emotion then the poster intentened We are dicussing subjects that most of us are very passionate about and that sometimes leads to harsher sounding posts then the poster intended. We are adults here and some people are way to senitive you have to remember if you are sensitive person that you are not personally known by most posters So they have no way to realize you are senitive,So you can not take things as personal as you do if your friends had said the same thing. As horsecamp said it just as much about forgivness to the poster If you are offened you have to be understanding that perhaps you arent the target as much as the subject you are posting about. Its often the subject the person is reacting to not nessarily the person posting. I know I certainly have my bad days as we all do so it isnt surprising that sometimes those bad days come out in posts it doesnt mean we dont like or care about a brother or sister it simply means we are human.

 

[Thunder1]

Good point His by Grace. I ask forgiveness, if I've hurt anyone . We are just humans and we sometimes get out of control . Yes, we should pray before answering to anyone, but sometimes does not matter what you say is not going to please the hearer. And with our different personalities also things don't go smoothly. If anybody has been offended by someone, that other person might not even know it. You could even send a private message to them, not everyone needs to know if it's between you and the other person. If that does not solve anything go to forum leaders, they are wonderful . Thanks kriss for listening when I had my bad days. You are a wonderful lady. Also some people might need 'a harsh word' sometimes, we are so different, I thank for all the different personalities. Would be boring if we were all the same. I understand your point His by Grace, you are such a lovely person and You've been given out so much WITH TRUTH and LOVE. Thank you !!!!Love,Thunder1

 

[MickinEngland]

(His By Grace;34032)
I know that I have felt personal hurt at some of the comments directed toward me...
Ha ha ha, Christians have been getting heckled for 2000 years so what's new? You'll get used to it, and if you're like me it'll make you feel more and more spiritually STRONGER all the time, I regard them simply as yapping poodles..

-"..they make a noise like a dog..but you Lord shall laugh at them and hold the heathen in derision" (Psalm 59:6-8 )Look at this selection of quotes aimed at me by atheists, non-christians AND so-called christians on assorted message boards and forums over the past few years, it's pure demon ranting as they speak through their victims mouths -Steve H - "Micks a narrow-minded unchristian unqualified know-nothing silly little man and work-shy racist layabout" Cymba - "Micks an unchristian aggressive liar showing no fruits of the spirit"Zeke - "Micks wrong wrong wrong and denies Gods word"Christian Trucker Pat - "Micks proud,arrogant,self-glorifying, uncharitable,offensive,lacking understanding and talking drivel"Linda -"Mick's a silly little Brit"Gloryboundd - "Mick's a senile liar and fool"Elbown - "Mick you put me off Christianity and i'm a Christian"SheriNuwine - "Mick you come across as a pervert,do you like cheeky little minxes who play with dollies?"Sunami - "Mick...the lazy workshy parasite that you are"Papdotcom to me - "You are one crazy s.o.b"Faeshadow to me -"there are no words for the depth of ignorance and depravity that your mindset displays"PeterM quote - "Mick, your posts are so full of BS I await to here you mooing. You are obviously one paranoid individual who has delusions of grandeur, and these are the least of your problems.....You do realise you're a twat?" Veritasbellum to me - "..inane drivel, as the majority of your posts are......I pity you but I don't hate you......You put me off Christianity and you are definately a phoney Christian""Toolate quote to me - "Everybody thinks you are an idiot.....atheists don't hate you, just find you laughable........What crimes are you planning now? More race hate?"RomanticHorror to me - "you sick b-----d"CreationFallacy quote to me - "Your posts remind me of local radio stations. Same old boring crap over and over again"ZenAgain to me -"you wander off into drug induced metaphore.......I could tell by your posts that dementia was setting in"PaganSunflower to me -"you have not fooled those on this board with even a shred of intelligence"LanceT quote - "Mick try not to be a p---k all your life, eh?"ZaZen quote - "Mick is like horse manure. You either stand in it or are sensible and avoid it."OldyOneCanardly to me - "you are just an ignorant, bigotted, anti- semite with fascist and racist tendencies .....nothing of intelligence to contribute to anything or anybody ...........you big loser in life"Dm2473 quote to me - "The fact that I'm Jewish and you're a Christian has nothing to do with the fact that you are a boorish, small minded, shallow, nincompoop"Junoth quote to me - "What a sick and twisted mind you have! In fact the word "evil" springs to mind when I read your demented claptrap!"Nanacad - "Mick is a long time AOL message board w-nker"Donbain - "I've got Mick on filter for one very good reason, his intelligence is too low beneath mine to dignify his lewdness with an answer"Krpzd1 to me - "You really are a prize tit aren't you?" Reverend Eric Potts - "You disgust me Mick"

 

[Jon-Marc]

Some people only come to Christian forums to tell us how wrong we are. Some only want to argue and aren't looking for fellowship or to learn anything. Some just want to post links to porn sites or other vulgar trash. I was a moderator on a Web site once when someone made 14 posts of really vulgar garbage praising satan with filthy language. All 14 posts were deleted. I deleted 8, and the site owner deleted the rest. When the Administrator, second in command as he calls himself (who was only 16 at the time) criticized me for deleting them, I quit as a moderator. Why would a Christian Web site have non-Christian moderators?

 

[HammerStone]

Some people only come to Christian forums to tell us how wrong we are. Some only want to argue and aren't looking for fellowship or to learn anything. Some just want to post links to porn sites or other vulgar trash. I was a moderator on a Web site once when someone made 14 posts of really vulgar garbage praising satan with filthy language. All 14 posts were deleted. I deleted 8, and the site owner deleted the rest. When the Administrator, second in command as he calls himself (who was only 16 at the time) criticized me for deleting them, I quit as a moderator. Why would a Christian Web site have non-Christian moderators?
There honestly is no reason. We are told to not be unequally yoked and I wouldn't expect a Christian to go on an explicitly nonChristan forum and tell them what to do or not do. I think you made the right decision there.That being said, I know exactly how you feel. Roughly 1.5 years back and several times since we've dealt with that kind of person. In one case, we had a couple hundred of such trash posts made in an hour. It's really sad how much of a lack of life some people have - and generally they are younger - to do something like that. However, I only expect that kind of activity to increase in this day and age. A house [forum] divided...To get back to the topic at hand, I think we've also got to be careful not to become a "poor me baby" as some people do. Forums can be a rough place. Add on what Kriss spoke of about the easy ability to misunderstand what someone says and it becomes even more tough sometimes. I know I've misjudged what posts said and had my own done the same way. It's pretty much normal, the real test is how everyone handles the situation once the error(s) become(s) apparent.Feelings will get hurt. Good people will say bad things. The question is, can we forgive and move on? What did Christ say?Luke 6:42
Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
With that in mind, Christ told us himself:Luke 12:51-53
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
I know for a fact there are a lot of very passionate souls on this board who love God and that is what ultimately matters, as we are told.Hosea 6:6
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
The Apostle Paul corrected us against strife, and he reminded us to have unity through Christ. There are some people on this forum and in my life that I disagree vehemently with on issues, some important while others are not, but they are my brothers and sisters in Christ and I respect that. If you can defend your belief with the Word and can do so honorably and it disagrees with what I believe, so be it. God is the Judge, not me. I'll be wrong on some things, but that person will be too.The key is not to get wrapped up in the ways of the world. The prophets hung for preaching. Teachers, preachers, and other innocents still hang to this very day for His name. A little insult here or there doesn't sound so bad, now does it? Handle yourself, find strength in Father, and you'll be the better for it.This post I made is not directed at the OP or anyone else specific, it's for us all and I think it's something one has to arrive at.May God bless the souls on this board and strengthen them with wisdom.

 

[MickinEngland]

(Jon-Marc;34159)
When the Administrator, second in command as he calls himself (who was only 16 at the time) criticized me for deleting them, I quit as a moderator. Why would a Christian Web site have non-Christian moderators?
Because a lot of so-called 'Christian' sites are run by satan-stooges and phoney christians who are pretending to be Christians so they can manipulate, control, distort, and delete postings, hence the warnings -"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.." (2 Cor 11:13-14)"Ungodly men have slipped in among you" (Jude 4)"Ignorant people distort things,to their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:16-17)

 

[His By Grace]

Thanks for all of the input. You have some valid points. All I can say is guilty as charged! I am a sensitive person. I care greatly how I affect others-maybe too much. I do wonder if someone is upset with me. I do need to realize that the topic is the focus of the anger/passion, hopefully, moreso than directed at me. Of course, when I read how Mick was insulted, it seemed pretty personal and unacceptable. It reminded me of 1 Peter 4:14 about it being okay to suffer for Christ, but not excusable to suffer for being an evil doer. I think we need to be careful that we are not in the wrong when evil words come our way. Yes, there is forgiveness, but you can't take back something once it's said. For me personally, I'd rather not say it than have to back-track. I do think it's a poor witness too. That is my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I know some people I'm talking to the Lord about right now that are struggling with these very issues. So, I'm just trying to be helpful.

 

[Mikey]

Even though people disagree on things, it is great that we are talking about Gods Word. We care enough about Gods Word to have lengthly discussions about it!

 

[His By Grace]

Amen, Mikey!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jon-Marc]

(Mikey;34667)
Even though people disagree on things, it is great that we are talking about Gods Word. We care enough about Gods Word to have lengthly discussions about it!
True, but the original question was about those who come here and to other Christian forums just to argue and tell us how wrong we are. They only want to cause discord and confusion. That's a trick of the devil. They're not here to learn about our Saviour; they're here for malicious reasons.

 

[bytheway]

The key here is to maintain balance. Nothing is more important when following Christ. Not too thin skined, not becomming hard hearted. Tone and tenor can be very hard to discern. Make your points and leave it at that.

 

[Mikey]

(Jon-Marc;34712)
True, but the original question was about those who come here and to other Christian forums just to argue and tell us how wrong we are. They only want to cause discord and confusion. That's a trick of the devil. They're not here to learn about our Saviour; they're here for malicious reasons.
Ya they are being the devils advocate. It's hard to know what to say to people like that. But one thing you shouldn't do is lower yourself to their level by name calling.

 

[His By Grace]

Amen, my friend. My daughter was laughing at me just last night. Her daddy had been rude to me yesterday and he went to some function last night. I was washing and folding clothes. I didn't want to do his clothes because I was mad. She made the remark, "Why are you?" I said, "Well, I'm just reminding myself that these are really Jesus' clothes I'm hanging up!" I went on to explain to her that that is how I deal with my anger. Instead of lashing out at people I think of scriptures or pretend they are Jesus. I was feeling better in no time.