Where is the Gentleness and Humility?

[JaumeJ]

Jesus Yeshua, Himself, upbraided many in His time with us in this age. It does not bother me to do the same when encountering this behavvior in those who say they believe especially when what they claim tobe better at is paramount to being etched in stone as some new lae, for grace is always my refuge. Praise Yah, amen.

 

[Deuteronomy]

Hello @Laura798, after more than 20 years of posting out here in online Christendom, I understand your frustration, and I agree that we (Christians) should always choose to act like the ones who we claim to be. Of course, not all who claim to know the Lord Jesus actually do, and as for the rest of us, while we should already know better, as His workmanship .. Ephesians 2:10, we also need to remember that none of us are the finished masterpieces that He has promised us that we will be someday, yes .. e.g. Philippians 1:6.

Remember too that this has proven to be a difficult medium to communicate on at times, especially since we are unable to see the expression on the other person's face (or body) that we are talking to, or hear the inflection is his/her voice, so there can be a lot of miscommunication (especially when the only thing that we have at our disposal to help us communicate the true meaning of our words more clearly is an emoji ).

Here are some positives that I try my best to keep in mind whenever I post.

1. We can never force someone else to act like a Christian is supposed to act, but we can always choose to act in such a way ourselves, as both an example and a blessing to others (to help other Christians understand why the Lord wants all of us to act with loving patience, kindness and understanding toward believers and unbelievers alike , or to at least be a light in the midst of the ugly/darkness for the sake of the many who are here everyday just to see what Christianity is all about, and what Christians are really like).​

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2. It's easy to imagine that we are the Matthew 7:12 (see my signature line below) Christians that we believe ourselves to be when everyone is treating us in a kind/loving/patient manner, but a place like this one can help us ~know~ where our walk before the Lord actually is, yes? (because it's not so easy to a continue to be a Matthew 7:12 Christian when we are being attacked/persecuted, especially by other "Christians" and/or for no good/apparent reason ). And when unbelievers see how we respond to these attacks (if we do so as the Matthew 7:12/1 Peter 3:15 Christians that we are commanded to be, that is), we can be an even greater witness for God/the Christian faith, yes ​

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3. Difficult people help us remember that we should be praying for ~everyone~ God gives us the opportunity to talk to here (before, during and after we make a post to them if need be). This, I am sad to admit, is the point in all of this that I am most guilty of failing at .(and it often takes a difficult person, as I said above, to help me remember to do so).​

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4. Learning to be loving/kind/patient toward brothers and sisters in Christ here at CChat, when they are hardly acting in the same way towards us, can help us be better prepared for the persecution that we will face from unbelievers in the future, whether online or in the real world ​

So, since there are these (and other) positives, I hope that you'll consider staying on for awhile longer (as part of your ministry to the body of Christ, to help make CChat a better place for us all, for your own sake/growth as a Christian, and for God's glory, of course).

God bless you!

~Deut
p.s. - all the verses/passages that you see below in my signature line are meant to remind me (and anyone else, I suppose) how a Christian is supposed/commanded to act, because it's so easy to get caught up in the emotion of the moment and forget, isn't it (especially online).

Galatians 6​

9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.​

10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.​

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[Mario]

I guess being humble and realizing are faults is the key to not realizing the faults of others. Being able to forgive is a gift from the Holy Spirit. By forgiving others you are shown Mercy from God.

 

[Deuteronomy]

I guess being humble and realizing are faults is the key to not realizing the faults of others. Being able to forgive is a gift from the Holy Spirit. By forgiving others you are shown Mercy from God.

Hi Mario, you said a lot in those two sentences, and there are several things that I'd like to discuss with you, but I'm afraid that it will have to wait until this afternoon or this evening (Dv). I'll leave you with these two, additional thoughts to consider about Christian humility though, a recent one from my senior pastor, and the other one from John the Baptist.

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1. Humility isn't thinking less about yourself, rather, it's thinking about yourself, less.​

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2. He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease .. John 3:30.​

God bless you!

~Deut

 

[Runningman]

I've been on this site for about a month now. This is my first Christian chat room experience. I've had a few not so good encounters that I wouldn't have expected to have coming from a Christian site. It's a bit discouraging and will definitely test your Christian faith. We need to stay sharp and stay focused on The Holy Spirit.
I know that a person who lives by the Christian faith would never condemn a non-Christian or anyone for that matter. I've come across non-believers that are self professed atheist's that act more like Christians in their actions then some self professed Christians do. I would even say that there reward in heaven is great. It's like they have the gifts of the Holy Spirit but they won't acknowledge where there gifts come from. This really breaks my heart because my Father is one such person. He does so much charity for people. asks and most of all expects nothing in return. His actions inspire me, and help me see the the light in being charitable.
I would like to consider myself a Christian. This Is what is most important in my life and always will be, God willing.

You seemed to stop short of saying what these people should do to fix their problem. Any ideas?

 

[Hungry]

I’m dismayed at how so many so called ‘believers’ interact in these Chat forums--not all but several interact with arrogance, condescension, and sarcasm--I’m truly surprised that these individuals are not warned or banned from the site. Debating a point can and ought to be done with kindness and gentleness--there is no reason to be rude. We are called to be salt and light in the world--if an unbeliever were to read some of the posts, I can’t imagine they’d want anything to do with Christianity. Also, it seems they often argue/debate simply for the sake of arguing, not to glorify God or to bring light to Truth--they go round and round--it’s like beating a dead horse. And note too, if you call these ‘believers’ out on it, instead of being apologetic, they, like the Pharisees and Sadducees become defensive.


“12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”--Colossians 3:12


“2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”--Ephesians 4:2


“5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”--1st Peter 5:5


11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

I totally see and agree with your comments. I’ve noticed it for years and have concluded this: I welcome any and all into the forums. A tree is known by its fruit. The more anger, and impatience they display, the weaker their testimony. The site is full of sheep and goats. Notice the goats didn’t know that they were goats at the judgement. Joyce Myers made a comment before about testing the ripeness of fruit in the grocery store. You squeeze it. The goats give a fantastic opportunity to the sheep to “squeeze their fruit”. The debates are a crucible to assist in the purification process of the believers. To purify a great amount of heat is required. Some of these debates can get quite heated. In the end the sheep are revealed as are the goats and sometimes wolves. To eliminate this process by muzzling the wolves, you never get the opportunity to hone your skills at defanging them. Then when faced in the workplace or even at church when one arises the sheep scatter. We as Christians are supposed to be peaceable and loving, that’s how to spot the imposters. They discredit themselves and weaken their pseudo gospel.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Consider 1 Kings 18:27. Isaiah begins to taunt the prophets of Baal because Baal isn't answering their calls:

"And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, 'Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.' "

Provers 28:1 says: "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion."

Acts 18:28 says Paul "powerfully refuted" his opponents: "When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus."

As I recall, Paul was a bit sarcastic with the Corinthians in his letters.

I agree we can do without personal insults, but there's nothing wrong with taking a strong stand for God's word. In my experience, people resort to personal insults when, and if, their scriptural arguments run out.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Everyone listen, the answer is very simple. There's an ignore function for a reason. I have many people on ignore simply because they know how to push people's buttons and are looking for a fight. At the first sign of this, into the ignore bin they go. Problem solved.

 

[Runningman]

Everyone listen, the answer is very simple. There's an ignore function for a reason. I have many people on ignore simply because they know how to push people's buttons and are looking for a fight. At the first sign of this, into the ignore bin they go. Problem solved.

I have no one on ignore. I believe that no matter what someone says or does to me personally, I cannot help them and love them if I've placed them on ignore.

The reality is that people have bad days, burdens, and go through things we have no idea about. Often snide, snarky, and rude comments are a a sign of someone's unhappiness. Knowing they are ignored now only reinforces their state and confirms to themselves why they are lashing out to begin with.

We need to reach the hearts of people with love and patience. Try to view people with sympathy.

 

[Runningman]

I totally see and agree with your comments. I’ve noticed it for years and have concluded this: I welcome any and all into the forums. A tree is known by its fruit. The more anger, and impatience they display, the weaker their testimony. The site is full of sheep and goats. Notice the goats didn’t know that they were goats at the judgement. Joyce Myers made a comment before about testing the ripeness of fruit in the grocery store. You squeeze it. The goats give a fantastic opportunity to the sheep to “squeeze their fruit”. The debates are a crucible to assist in the purification process of the believers. To purify a great amount of heat is required. Some of these debates can get quite heated. In the end the sheep are revealed as are the goats and sometimes wolves. To eliminate this process by muzzling the wolves, you never get the opportunity to hone your skills at defanging them. Then when faced in the workplace or even at church when one arises the sheep scatter. We as Christians are supposed to be peaceable and loving, that’s how to spot the imposters. They discredit themselves and weaken their pseudo gospel.

I agree. These forums are a bit like training grounds. Lots of conversation and debate has caused me to search the Bible deeper than ever. Different viewpoints and perspectives have taught me new things and honed my foundation for what I already knew.

When I see people are not gentle, humble, impatient or rude then I see that's how people are. Welcome to earth; it's a dog-eat-dog world out there and often gentle people are devoured alive. I am not surprised when I see someone hardened, even if they are a Christian. I know because I wasn't born into a soft world. I became a Christian later, but I'll never lose my street smarts.

When we encounter people who are just acting like people, I think it gives us a chance to mature and learn new techniques to engage them. That's what God does. He hasn't given up on us yet.

 

[Laura798]

Don't get me wrong. I totally agree with what your original post is, but it was open-ended. Like I saw that you expressed dissatisfaction or annoyance about something, but I didn't see what the correction should be.

What do you suggest that those with no gentleness or humility do to remedy their problem?

Runningman,
I guess you didn't read the entire posting--I posted verses--for Christian the Bible is what tells us how to live, not individuals.

 

[Laura798]

I have no one on ignore. I believe that no matter what someone says or does to me personally, I cannot help them and love them if I've placed them on ignore.

The reality is that people have bad days, burdens, and go through things we have no idea about. Often snide, snarky, and rude comments are a a sign of someone's unhappiness. Knowing they are ignored now only reinforces their state and confirms to themselves why they are lashing out to begin with.

We need to reach the hearts of people with love and patience. Try to view people with sympathy.

I disagree--Christians DO call other Christians to account when behaving badly. Also my point of 'ignoring' is to NOT engage them in their negativity--don't get in a verbal sparring match. Please find one verse in the bible that gives excuses for people's bad behavior--"Oh they're just having a bad day"--TRUE Christian are not rude to others as a way to vent--and I'm not talking about one offs-there are people in the forums that have a PATTERN of rudeness.

 

[Runningman]

Runningman,
I guess you didn't read the entire posting--I posted verses--for Christian the Bible is what tells us how to live, not individuals.

Oh I saw those, but those don't say anything about how to be sincerely gentle and humble. I mean, people can fake their way through it, but that isn't good enough.

It's only good enough if it is sincere. How does someone be sincerely gentle and humble from the heart?

 

[Laura798]

Thank you for your kindness Laura, I am sorry about your experience on this site and I'm sorry to see you go. This site definitely needs more compassionate people like you. You know it's sad if you have simple good intensions in the world and some people just want to twist it up and make it complicated. I really enjoyed reading you posts and if you decide to stay I would be interested in what you have to say.
Blessings to you to, Mario

Thank you, Mario for your kind words, it means a lot.

 

[Runningman]

I disagree--Christians DO call other Christians to account when behaving badly. Also my point of 'ignoring' is to NOT engage them in their negativity--don't get in a verbal sparring match. Please find one verse in the bible that gives excuses for people's bad behavior--"Oh they're just having a bad day"--TRUE Christian are not rude to others as a way to vent--and I'm not talking about one offs-there are people in the forums that have a PATTERN of rudeness.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV)
4Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Tell me how ignoring someone is even remotely close to showing love?

 

[Laura798]

Oh I saw those, but those don't say anything about how to be sincerely gentle and humble. I mean, people can fake their way through it, but that isn't good enough.

It's only good enough if it is sincere. How does someone be sincerely gentle and humble from the heart?

How to? The verses tell us how to behave. There is no How to--and it is only thru the power of the Holy Spirit that we can change--no amount of effort on our part can transform us.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." 1 Corinthians 1:10

 

[Magenta]

i do mind. it's doesn't help considering the subject. rather insensitive really. but that's why i'm getting off this site--so much unkindness.

I did wonder how you would respond to correction given with good intentions free of
any rancor, and your response is germane to your topic, for it is part of the problem itself.
I do understand that the word complain carries a negative connotation, though given
what it really means, lamentations being the passionate expression of grief or sorrow,
and also a very Biblical word, I had hoped you might accept that a proper word had been
used in the first place, and I am sensitive to your plight, though you seem to have now
tossed me into the bin with those you have labeled so-called Christians walking in darkness.

 

[Laura798]

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV)
4Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Tell me how ignoring someone is even remotely close to showing love?

Again you neglected to read what I wrote--if a person is trying to cause strife in a forum, instead of engaging in the strife ignore them--you just add fuel to the fire. Also CALL them out on it if it is a pattern--I have been in chat forums where a couple of people are REPEATEDLY rude. For example, you have a jealous co-worker who is putting you down with 'digs'--you should call them out on it--if it continues the best thing to do is not engage with them--this person has ZERO boundaries, like many on this site. In the Bible forums we are their for discussion and debate--rudeness and condescension have no place amongst brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

[Magenta]

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV)
4Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Tell me how ignoring someone is even remotely close to showing love?

From 1 Corinthians 13

 

[Laura798]

I did wonder how you would respond to correction given with good intentions free of
any rancor, and your response is germane to your topic, for it is part of the problem itself.
I do understand that the word complain carries a negative connotation, though given
what it really means, lamentations being the passionate expression of grief or sorrow,
and also a very Biblical word, I had hoped you might accept that a proper word had been
used in the first place, and I am sensitive to your plight, though you seem to have now
tossed me into the bin with those you have labeled so-called Christians walking in darkness.

Actually Magenta, given the context of what I wrote for you to veer off the main subject--something that was upseting to me---to define a word comes across as insensitive--and the general use of the word does have negative connotations. Also, reading it in the whole context of what they wrote. Imagine yourself being upset and are sharing that with another person and the other starts defining words, rather than addressing the thing that has made you upset--I believe anyone would feel their feelings were discounted. However, I'm sorry if you felt I put you in the bin--I see you are one of the few Welcomers to the New--that shows a kind heart.