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Just wondering - at what point do you believe discernment crosses the line into criticism, and how do you check yourselves to make sure that you walk in discernment, but not take on a critical spirit?
Don't accuse someone of lying who was merely misinformed on the subject at hand and repeated what they were told.
If the accusation is false, forgiveness is not needed except for the person who did the accusing...they need to be forgiven.Yes, but try to cultivate immediate forgiveness if someone accuses you falsely. They are trespasses. Try to reconcile with your brother or sister. Matthew 6:14-15.
Just wondering - at what point do you believe discernment crosses the line into criticism, and how do you check yourselves to make sure that you walk in discernment, but not take on a critical spirit?
irl i would say that one discerns for themselves, right? Not others, iow?Just wondering - at what point do you believe discernment crosses the line into criticism, and how do you check yourselves to make sure that you walk in discernment, but not take on a critical spirit?
If the accusation is false, forgiveness is not needed except for the person who did the accusing...they need to be forgiven.
Luk 17:3, Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
What if they don't repent? I believe that the scripture is saying here not to forgive them.
See also Isaiah 54:17.
It depends on the intent of your scrutiny. If you're discerning in order to protect yourself or others, or even to correct, I would strongly believe that that's acceptable, and highly advised. But, if your solely attempting to perceive a flaw in order to make an accusation, or for self-righteous reasons, then you've perverted the principle of wisdom and insight.Just wondering - at what point do you believe discernment crosses the line into criticism, and how do you check yourselves to make sure that you walk in discernment, but not take on a critical spirit?
Discernment can involve criticism. If a person is preaching blasphemy, you don't say to them, "There there, be a good boy and forget that idea." You speak the truth and correct the mistake.Just wondering - at what point do you believe discernment crosses the line into criticism, and how do you check yourselves to make sure that you walk in discernment, but not take on a critical spirit?
I will forgive them when they repent. That's what the Bible tells me to do.Having a false accusation said against you is their trespass, but we need to do the forgiving so our own trespasses will be forgiven. In other words, don't hold it against them. They probably believe what they are saying. When both parties disagree and they both think they are right, who is to repent? God wants us to reconcile. This is only regarding trespasses.
If your wife commits adultery, that is NOT a trespass. It is willful lawlessness. We are not commanded to forgive them, unless they repent and turn away from their lover. If that wife divorces you and marries the lover, and tells you they are sorry for hurting you, that is NOT repentance. What God forgives, we must forgive. But what God doesn't forgive, unrepentant willful lawlessness, He doesn't ask us to do more than He will. That goes for murders and thieves. But do not allow a root of bitterness to take hold. Turn your grief over to Jesus.
While be discerning, a person can and should be rational and respectful when learning about another. Bashing and other irrational behavior is the opposite of that.Just wondering - at what point do you believe discernment crosses the line into criticism, and how do you check yourselves to make sure that you walk in discernment, but not take on a critical spirit?
I will forgive them when they repent. That's what the Bible tells me to do.
Just wondering - at what point do you believe discernment crosses the line into criticism, and how do you check yourselves to make sure that you walk in discernment, but not take on a critical spirit?
Notice in Scripture:Just wondering - at what point do you believe discernment crosses the line into criticism, and how do you check yourselves to make sure that you walk in discernment, but not take on a critical spirit?
I believe that if the Holy Spirit is behind an effort to correct me or anyone else, there must always be an idea about how to improve the situation.Just wondering - at what point do you believe discernment crosses the line into criticism, and how do you check yourselves to make sure that you walk in discernment, but not take on a critical spirit?
I believe that if the Holy Spirit is behind an effort to correct me or anyone else, there must always be an idea about how to improve the situation.
I think sometimes when people get angry, the best course is to leave them alone. If they are mistaking your compassion for negative criticism, odds are you won't succeed with them, at least not then. I'm apt to say something like, "I don't want to argue about this; and if you think I'm trying to put you down, I'll just shut up and mind my own business. I'm not your boss."Interesting question: I think the point where you know you have crossed a line is where you succumb to being offended, and speak out in anger rather than out of concern for the other person. I am normally fairly patient with others, and I try to minister out of consideration even when they are being insulting and offensive to me. But there comes a time when I often discern they are only hurting themselves by remaining obstinate, and refusing to listen to reason but holding doggedly to some doctrine or view point regardless of what anyone else or even scripture is saying. It is usually at that point that the Spirit will have me change course and issue some sort of rebuke. But so long as I'm not doing it in anger, I believe myself to still be operating in discernment, and speaking and acting as the Lord would have me. So this is how I would describe the potential "change" that might make it seem like I am becoming critical, but I'm actually not. Just following a different leading.
The Spirit Himself doesn't get "critical" really. He just gives the believer a sense of needing to correct, in love.
I think sometimes when people get angry, the best course is to leave them alone. If they are mistaking your compassion for negative criticism, odds are you won't succeed with them, at least not then. I'm apt to say something like, "I don't want to argue about this; and if you think I'm trying to put you down, I'll just shut up and mind my own business. I'm not your boss."
Odds are that someone who confuses compassion with negative criticism has a history of being around people who pretended to care. Maybe they had a father who enjoyed beating them while saying, "I'm doing this for your good." Perhaps they had manipulative spouses who oozed fake compassion. If you fight with them, it convinces them that they were right: You really didn't care about them -- you just wanted to put them down. Walking away can surprise them. In some cases, it can wake them up and bring them to their senses if you opt to walk away. They say, "I wonder why he gave up so easily? What did he want from me by criticizing me?" It can dawn on them finally that you didn't want anything from them -- so you left them to do whatever they wanted. Then they may finally wonder if you had true compassion? Is such a thing really possible?
As Solomon said a soft word turns away anger. Very often if people get angry when you're trying to hold a reasonable conversation, they calm down if you don't respond with anger back. Very often they like you -- they don't really want to be angry with you. They think they need to attack so they get angry; but if you stay calm, they realize they don't need to be angry.Thanks for sharing. I used to take this approach, but something changed awhile back. I noticed I was starting to be more persistent, and push through more. I'm finding that if I am kind enough with my words, it has a way of calming them down. That's not to say it is some kind of debating trick. I tend to despise that sort of a thing. I believe it to be the Spirit of God in me simply becoming stronger than the spirit in others, and overcoming evil with good. I find that in many cases it leaves a man running from you. The Spirit will crawl up into their mind and heart, and suddenly the conversation is getting more personal than they had planned.
Again, it's not a trick. It's simply what the Spirit has me doing more now, and it is amazing how the Spirit of God can disarm people when what you say and are led to say is spoken in love.
Yes, and that is why I do favor it. Only I think taking the approach I usually take now is even more effective. Both are manifestations of compassion, with the later being even more aggressive.
Enjoyed your post.