what does the Bible say about responding to a troll?

[pickles]

I know this may sound silly, but I am saddened that the person is gone.
One holds hope always that they will come to know the perfect love of God.
May we pray that Gods mercy will be poured out on this person, as it seems they have never known what mercy is.
I do wonder what hurt that person so greatly, that they had lost sight of mercy?
Dear Jesus, please help and comfort this person, that their heart may be made of flesh, instead or stone.

God bless
pickles

 

[edward99]

clever enough to read the threads and pick upon people's doubts, weakness and insecurity to plant her seeds and watch the thorns of anger, bitterness, and pride unravel their self control....

It's not about unraveling the self-control or anger of others. Norman isn't a thrill seeker setting about to rile up others.
His mission is to prey upon the ones who happen to fall on a post where the entirety of scripture is undermined.
The whole purpose is far more sinister than just stirring up trouble and arguing.
There are groups out there whose own religion requires that they pose as Christians and infiltrate Christian circles with a bigger agenda.

 

[tribesman]

I don't believe we should reply to trolls at all. That would be "feeding" them. At least I won't do it. They are there to annoy you and waste your time and normally their motivation is contention (because of their pride of their sin) and the aim is to attack others and cause strife. We are not further such, I believe. Just block them at all levels and let them eat jellybeans and talk to the wall.

You can read from two or three posts of a troll user and if these are trolling usually the whole bulk of such users' posts are the same and therefore are meaningless to respond to. Usually they are rebuked by some user/s, but just as usually they won't heed it. It's just a waste of time then to try to convince such ppl. When I see that a user is out to troll (which includes those that are here just to argue for the sake of arguing) I just put them on ignore. And I recommend all serious users to do the same.

Here, some scriptures:

Prov.22

[10] Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Prov.26

[3] A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
[4] Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
[5] Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Matt.7

[6] Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Eph.5

[16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

2Tim.2

[23] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

1Pet.2

[15] For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

 

[tribesman]

Addendum: I would also report them trolls if they resort to personal attacks rather than staying on topic/sticking to issue or if they are here to contentiously promote non- or anti-christian beliefs. Sometimes after two or more of such posts, sometimes even after one, depending on the nature of the infringement.