What do you think will become of this?

[RickyZ]

This was the last statement made in a post on another thread ...

... Like I said, you assume much but have no discernment...

I make statements like that, then end up wishing the delete key was good forever (dang 5 minute editing window ). I mean, what do we really expect as a response to this? Do we actually think the other person is going to say "hmmm, maybe I do assume too much and have no discernment", or, are they likely to get defensive and respond with an equally curt or better statement to us?

And how do we stop doing this to each other?

 

[Seekingfamily]

By remembering what was told to us in scripture. As wise as a serpent, but gentle as a dove. Turn the other cheek. Refrain from unedifying talk. Can't control them, but can control our own attitude. Should we lower ourself, when someone else lowers their selves? Question to ourselves "Who controls my lips anyways, them or me?"

 

[Desertsrose]

We need to clean up our hearts because out of the abundance of the heart does the mouth speak.


Luke 6:43-45


For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.


In Matthew 12:33 it says to make the tree good and the fruit will be good. If you're a good tree, we nee to grow good fruit through obedience. Jesus said He's given us everything we need for life and Godliness. I guess it's time we took Him at His word.


2 Peter 1:3 says we've been given everything by divine power for life and Godliness through the true knowledge of Jesus.


So we all have the ability to respond in love and truth. There's no reason to put others down or call names. Rather our heart should be to show them the way out of their wrong thinking, if indeed it is wrong. And leave it there like throwing seed in tilled soil. God is the one to make a person grow. A person won't change because of us, it's only if we're speaking the word of God.


This is a great field to learn to respond to others in love. When we blow it I really think it should humble us and we should be asking for forgiveness right away. When we don't, it's a sure thing that we'll repeat that behavior again.


When I read scriptures like the ones above, it reminds me that I want to please my Heavenly Father and His word always convicts me that I want to glorify God with all my being......is all that I do and all that I say. It's part of learning to put Him first in everything.


1 John is so comforting because when we do mess up, when we confess our sin, He's faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

SaveSave​

 

[oldethennew]

responding to life is always a challenge, 'for us', a wake-up call for ourselves
to take a good look at ourselves - this should always be a welcome challenge,
and one that we know that our Saviour will help us with, if we put Him and
others 'first',...

 

[Willie-T]

This was the last statement made in a post on another thread ...



I make statements like that, then end up wishing the delete key was good forever (dang 5 minute editing window ). I mean, what do we really expect as a response to this? Do we actually think the other person is going to say "hmmm, maybe I do assume too much and have no discernment", or, are they likely to get defensive and respond with an equally curt or better statement to us?

And how do we stop doing this to each other?

I think it will have to start with wanting not to... and then deciding not to.

 

[Zi]

Me too.. I do suppose I could go back to the threads and say so.. Some I have cleared out of my sub list tho... Maybe I could wait a while before I respond

 

[RickyZ]

I've made a promise not to go back and forth with anyone for more than 3 or four rounds, after that it just becomes redundant and devolves into personal attacks - altho some come out swingin' at the start. I'm also trying to focus my responses on what is being said and not on who is saying it, if I find I'm writing 'you' I stop and think twice about where it's going. Or, try to, I'm getting better at it but still get sucked in a bit. But God's working on me, He's held my feet to the fire ever since that last "you're ignorant" comment I made, that's why I had to come back and apologize for it (that was another thread).

I think a lot of it comes from the feeling we always have to be right, too. How dare you call me wrong, right? There's a feeling of, what, superiority that manifests here; most people here are here to teach and not to learn. So how dare you try to teach me. But truth is only available to those who are willing to question what they think they know... and I don't think any of us actually have this all down pat. Maybe we can try to remember that.

 

[Angela53510]

Then there is,

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!" Also called the Golden Rule.

If everyone followed this rule, we would have fair less animosity and arguing!

 

[notuptome]

What about when it is true?

Pr 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[resurrection33]

This was the last statement made in a post on another thread ...



I make statements like that, then end up wishing the delete key was good forever (dang 5 minute editing window ). I mean, what do we really expect as a response to this? Do we actually think the other person is going to say "hmmm, maybe I do assume too much and have no discernment", or, are they likely to get defensive and respond with an equally curt or better statement to us?

And how do we stop doing this to each other?

The object is to witness to what the Lord has taught us. Insulting people is not compatible with witnessing. When someone insults you, ignore the insult and continue to witness. Be aware of this:

But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, `You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. Matt 5:22 RSV

 

[Seekingfamily]

Titus 3:9 is my thoughts about debate on the Law

 

[Dan_473]

And how do we stop doing this to each other?

seems simple, but it's actually nearly impossible, imo



from James 3

If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.

 

[reneweddaybyday]

Verse for the day on a radio station I listen to:

Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

 

[88]

This was the last statement made in a post on another thread ...



I make statements like that, then end up wishing the delete key was good forever (dang 5 minute editing window ). I mean, what do we really expect as a response to this? Do we actually think the other person is going to say "hmmm, maybe I do assume too much and have no discernment", or, are they likely to get defensive and respond with an equally curt or better statement to us?

And how do we stop doing this to each other?

***it's easy to be rude***it takes Grace to be Kind...

 

[Dino246]

What about when it is true?

Pr 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

This is a great point. We don't argue for things that we don't support/agree with (except in debate class). Everybody who engages in argument believes they are correct (on some level). In the context of an argument, very few of us are convinced of anything simply by the words of another person, even if sound, valid, and truthful. We need to check things out for ourselves.

By the work of the Holy Spirit within us, we can become less argumentative and more likely to treat the other person with respect. I doubt we can succeed at doing so on our own though. What we can do is ask ourselves, "Is it worth it to respond at all, and if so, how can my response show the person their error? I don't do this perfectly myself.

 

[RickyZ]

This is a great point. We don't argue for things that we don't support/agree with (except in debate class). Everybody who engages in argument believes they are correct (on some level). In the context of an argument, very few of us are convinced of anything simply by the words of another person, even if sound, valid, and truthful. We need to check things out for ourselves.

By the work of the Holy Spirit within us, we can become less argumentative and more likely to treat the other person with respect. I doubt we can succeed at doing so on our own though. What we can do is ask ourselves, "Is it worth it to respond at all, and if so, how can my response show the person their error? I don't do this perfectly myself.

It's interesting, that 2 people both filled with the Holy Spirit can swear that Spirit gave them the 'truth', and yet the truth for those two will be diametrically opposed to each other. I often hear people say "well the Holy Spirit showed me this so you must be listening to demons". Yet the other person is just as assured that THEY have received knowledge from the H.S. and the Other person is listening to demons. Who's right?

 

[Depleted]

This is a great point. We don't argue for things that we don't support/agree with (except in debate class). Everybody who engages in argument believes they are correct (on some level). In the context of an argument, very few of us are convinced of anything simply by the words of another person, even if sound, valid, and truthful. We need to check things out for ourselves.

By the work of the Holy Spirit within us, we can become less argumentative and more likely to treat the other person with respect. I doubt we can succeed at doing so on our own though. What we can do is ask ourselves, "Is it worth it to respond at all, and if so, how can my response show the person their error? I don't do this perfectly myself.

Hubby told me a prefix to a book he was reading. It had something to do with the Bible. (He only reads those kinds of books. I don't get it, but, hey! lol)

The author said, "I am completely sure of everything I believe and everything I write, however, I am also completely sure some of what I believe and write is wrong."

I never expect to change anyone's mind. I do expect people to hear what I have to say and then think it out themselves. Quite often, people don't even take the time to hear what I have to say before formulating their next "You're wrong because." Occasionally, after much stirring up the pot, I end up telling the person the truth. "We're agreeing completely, but merely getting there on two sides of the issue."

I do love those moments when the person hears that.

I also love those moments when we truly agree to disagree.

I can remember those moments. I don't ever remember changing someone's mind though.

 

[Zmouth]

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

. Like I said, you assume much but have no discernment..

Excited utterances can be manifestations of the Holy Ghost.

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Have you ever considered the possibility that the Holy Ghost was speaking to you?

 

[oldethennew]

Lynn,

you definitely do and will continue to do so, when we allow and accept our
hearts to listen/obey to what our Holy Father is blessing us with to share,
when we know for sure that it is HIM and not our own old-will who is speaking...

we must always just be satisfied that the words given to us by The Holy Spirit
will always produce good fruits, whether now, or when our Father decides...

 

[RickyZ]

Hubby told me a prefix to a book he was reading. It had something to do with the Bible. (He only reads those kinds of books. I don't get it, but, hey! lol)

The author said, "I am completely sure of everything I believe and everything I write, however, I am also completely sure some of what I believe and write is wrong."

I never expect to change anyone's mind. I do expect people to hear what I have to say and then think it out themselves. Quite often, people don't even take the time to hear what I have to say before formulating their next "You're wrong because." Occasionally, after much stirring up the pot, I end up telling the person the truth. "We're agreeing completely, but merely getting there on two sides of the issue."

I do love those moments when the person hears that.

I also love those moments when we truly agree to disagree.

I can remember those moments. I don't ever remember changing someone's mind though.

This is part of the problem too - when we read with the anticipation of finding something to argue about. People aren't interested in what right I may have to say, they're interested in what wrongs I may have to say.

I have changed peoples minds, tho very very rarely, it's always been someone who was honestly seeking an answer instead of insisting on giving one. And I have had my mind changed too ... I'm smart enough to know that I'm not smart enough