Make Them Tap Out - The real reason for debate/discussion.

[1still_waters]

How many of you have ever been convinced of something because someone figuratively wrestled you into submission, and made you figuratively "tap out"?

How many of you can't tell the difference between iron sharpening iron, and iron being used as an offensive attack device to wound someone?

How many of you view discussion/debate in a Christian online forum, as the equivalent of being in an arena, where the goal is to be the last one standing?

You may be doing it wrong, if your goal is to make the other person figuratively "tap out". The forums aren't to be the CC version of MMA.

Sometimes you have to simply state your case clearly.
Let your argument stand or fall on its own.
If someone is going to pull out endless absurd arguments against your "case", that's a sign they don't want to be convinced anyways.

Those seeking truth, will be convinced by the truth presented.
It's not your job to answer an endless string of absurd objections from someone who doesn't want to agree with you anyways.

Remember, you're not in the arena, cage, or ring. Your goal isn't to make someone "tap out".


Colossians 3
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

[Ariel82]

James 3


13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

[Blain]

Excelent! thank you for stating this it needed to be said. however the truth is even this may not help because people are arrogant and stubborn and they get a thrill out of arguing here. unfortunately i am also guilty of this sometimes but i do try to lovingly make a point. people come here sometimes just to let out steam and others make outrageous claims and refuse to accept the truth no matter how much evidence is given. its really sad:[

 

[pickles]

I was just thinking about this today.
Seems the best answer on what we should be doing, is to do as Jesus, God Our Father does.

He loved us first.
Maby if we love the person or persons first , we might better serve each other in what we speak to.

Thankyou for posting this stillwaters.

God bless
pickles

 

[unclefester]

Let all be forewarned that unclefester takes no prisoners

 

[psychomom]

Sports metaphors!

Thanks for the timely reminder.
You remind me of our son, who considers arguing on the 'net the very definition of insanity...

-ellie

 

[psychomom]

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing" (John 6:63)

 

[Indubitably]

I have been argued with, but I haven't engaged them except once when I was told my answer offended the person because I ddn't show love for them because I did not answer in the manner they expected. I am in the forums to speak my convictions in wisdom, encourage and help others where I can, pray for requests, and make new members feel at home. I also do what I can to promote the benefits of CC.

If I read an original thread that appears dogmatic in it's delivery, I avoid replying. I know arguments will result. My interest is in the hearts and needs of the person, not finding 40 scriptures to prove them to be in error.

 

[unclefester]

Sports metaphors!
[/COLOR]

Not to brag or anything Ellie but I won my very first bout in the octagon. Lost my last seven though ... but I'm gaining some much needed experience. Pretty soon I figure I'll be ready to take it to the next level ... and instead of only fighting the girls, maybe I'll take on a few of the guys

 

[Ariel82]

Sports metaphors!

Thanks for the timely reminder.
You remind me of our son, who considers arguing on the 'net the very definition of insanity...

-ellie

lol here are a few more metaphors! (in image form)

ok done flooding the thread with pictures for now...

 

[zone]

ok. thank you Still
i'm guilty of this at times also.
believe it or not, that is improving
i apologize for my part in it.
zone

 

[zone]

Not to brag or anything Ellie but I won my very first bout in the octagon. Lost my last seven though ... but I'm gaining some much needed experience. Pretty soon I figure I'll be ready to take it to the next level ... and instead of only fighting the girls, maybe I'll take on a few of the guys

 

[twofeet]

How many of you have ever been convinced of something because someone figuratively wrestled you into submission, and made you figuratively "tap out"?

How many of you can't tell the difference between iron sharpening iron, and iron being used as an offensive attack device to wound someone?

How many of you view discussion/debate in a Christian online forum, as the equivalent of being in an arena, where the goal is to be the last one standing?

You may be doing it wrong, if your goal is to make the other person figuratively "tap out". The forums aren't to be the CC version of MMA.

Sometimes you have to simply state your case clearly.
Let your argument stand or fall on its own.
If someone is going to pull out endless absurd arguments against your "case", that's a sign they don't want to be convinced anyways.

Those seeking truth, will be convinced by the truth presented.
It's not your job to answer an endless string of absurd objections from someone who doesn't want to agree with you anyways.

Remember, you're not in the arena, cage, or ring. Your goal isn't to make someone "tap out".


Colossians 3
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Beautiful post Still Waters

 

[Bookends]

ok. thank you Still
i'm guilty of this at times also.
believe it or not, that is improving
i apologize for my part in it.
zone

Yes, I am guilty too, so to those whom I offended or tried to "knock out" with cherry picking scripture I am deeply sorry. May have mercy on us all and help us communication our differences with liberty.

 

[feedm3]

Glad I have never been guilty of this....*typing ceased due to lighting*

 

[Grandpa]

I was thinking maybe it would be easier to persuade someone inside the octagon...

It brings a whole new meaning to "Lets discuss this"... lol

 

[Abiding]

Glad I have never been guilty of this....*typing ceased due to lighting*

Thanks i needed this

 

[RachelBibleStudent]

sometimes the purpose of a debate is not to convince your opponent...it is to protect bystanders from being deceived... that would be especially important if you are dealing with cultic things and with salvation issues...

also i actually -have- been convinced to change my mind as a result of a chat discussion...so it can happen

 

[Jon4TheCross]

I see it this way. All who are professing to be an active member/part of the one and only Everlasting High Priesthood should assume that all others professing the same are ready to assume the best about everbody, even those seemingly very confused. (Here's the scriptures on assuming positively about things like unity, all things common, equality, no respect of persons, casting lots, etc.)
1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

So the way I see it, we're all trying to unite, right? We're all trying to be completely dead to the flesh, right? I truly believe we're all trying to help, even if sometimes we are not helping. What is the best way to help though? I believe the best/most fruitful example is given to us, but we like to ignore things like all things common, or being dead to the flesh in actions and not just in words.

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Here it is to ignore once again, and this example shows the mighty power of the gospel to anyone who even hears about it, and what if they could actually see it along with all the other parts, all being fulfilled at the same time, not just a bit here and there.

Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Act 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Act 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Act 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Act 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Act 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.


So many need help, and this is the God given way for everyone to have the same quality of life. Debate/discussion is great for reminding people of things such as this, but then there's the dissappointment when they ignore any action regarding obeying the Word of God.

I'm not judging, just saying thank you for listening, and that's why these discussion sites are edifying.

 

[damombomb]

Not my will be done Lord, but yours!!!