What the Heck

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Z

zaoman32

Guest
#1
#1
So...seriously. I deal with issues quite a bit. Those of you who talk to me know this. But I'm learning to get a better grasp on my emotions, and learning to deal accordingly. Lately I've been spending time in the Prayer Room on chat, partly because there is less drama, partly because offering prayer and advice to others actually helps me feel better.

I was on just a little bit ago, and someone asked me if I needed prayer for anything, so I said yes, and briefly put what I needed prayer for, with full intentions of giving more of an explanation, and before I could even continue I start getting slammed with what I like to call "Jesus talk" some may call it "christianese". For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about (everyone?) This is when, rather than sitting and listening to someones issues, the person will ask whats wrong, half pay attention to what the other person says and just start ranting about Jesus this and God that.

Are these people wrong in their statements? Not necessarily, but sometimes. They are however completely over looking two very key components mentioned in the bible. The first, and most obvious, "Be quick to listen, slow to speak." It seems these people care more about reminding the ones they're "praying" for about Jesus (even if they may well already know) and less about what that person is actually going through. How can you honestly offer sound, and thoughtful advice and prayer without actually knowing what it is the person is needing. Seldom times is the persons problem the one they initially give. In some cases they may not even know what it is they need, they may not even know what they're looking for. How can we possibly offer that to them when we don't listen? Jesus never had to remind people that God was there with them. They knew.

The second component I find in the book of Job, in the responses given by his friends. Before they even gave Job time to just unload they were just spouting off statements about God and Jesus and religion, and they were referred to as "miserable comforters". I think many would do good to read the book of Job and learn from their actions

So, in conclusion, I wonder what life would look like if, rather than being obsessed with witnessing to those who need prayer, we took the time to listen to them, tread our words carefully, and gave them the prayer they need?
 
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tourist

tourist

Senior Member
#2
Mar 13, 2014
42,373
16,866
113
69
Tennessee
#2
zaoman32 said:
So...seriously. I deal with issues quite a bit. Those of you who talk to me know this. But I'm learning to get a better grasp on my emotions, and learning to deal accordingly. Lately I've been spending time in the Prayer Room on chat, partly because there is less drama, partly because offering prayer and advice to others actually helps me feel better.

I was on just a little bit ago, and someone asked me if I needed prayer for anything, so I said yes, and briefly put what I needed prayer for, with full intentions of giving more of an explanation, and before I could even continue I start getting slammed with what I like to call "Jesus talk" some may call it "christianese". For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about (everyone?) This is when, rather than sitting and listening to someones issues, the person will ask whats wrong, half pay attention to what the other person says and just start ranting about Jesus this and God that.

Are these people wrong in their statements? Not necessarily, but sometimes. They are however completely over looking two very key components mentioned in the bible. The first, and most obvious, "Be quick to listen, slow to speak." It seems these people care more about reminding the ones they're "praying" for about Jesus (even if they may well already know) and less about what that person is actually going through. How can you honestly offer sound, and thoughtful advice and prayer without actually knowing what it is the person is needing. Seldom times is the persons problem the one they initially give. In some cases they may not even know what it is they need, they may not even know what they're looking for. How can we possibly offer that to them when we don't listen? Jesus never had to remind people that God was there with them. They knew.

The second component I find in the book of Job, in the responses given by his friends. Before they even gave Job time to just unload they were just spouting off statements about God and Jesus and religion, and they were referred to as "miserable comforters". I think many would do good to read the book of Job and learn from their actions

So, in conclusion, I wonder what life would look like if, rather than being obsessed with witnessing to those who need prayer, we took the time to listen to them, tread our words carefully, and gave them the prayer they need?
Click to expand...
Huh?......
 
lil_christian

lil_christian

Senior Member
#3
Mar 14, 2010
7,489
73
48
27
#3
Oh my goodness, this world would be a much better place and would have a lot more Christians if we'd shut up and listen. This goes for me, too, because I've faltered in this area many a time.
 
lil_christian

lil_christian

Senior Member
#4
Mar 14, 2010
7,489
73
48
27
#4
Sometimes, I wish I knew how to combat the whole "Minister first, ask questions later." stuff. I've found it very tiring to hear the cliche's over and over again. It's tiring to hear, "Well, God has His reasons." and "Jesus loves you so much, and so intensely." And I just wanna say, "Oh yeah? Well how about when I was crying my eyeballs out, begging him for mercy and healing, and NOTHING happened?" I mean...I know our view is so limited. We could never fully see the whole picture until we get to heaven. In the meantime, it is best to just listen to what the other person has to say. Offer prayer or a quick hug or coffee AFTER they're done talking and you've thoroughly listened.


[video=youtube;_CmB5I1EgMo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CmB5I1EgMo[/video]
 
Pipp

Pipp

Majestic Llamacorn
#5
Sep 17, 2013
5,539
2,713
113
Georgia
#5
Lol always with the christianese ...
 
1

1still_waters

Guest
#6
#6
One person's Christianeze is another person's sincere attempt to minister
One person's Jesus-juke is a another person's attempt at serious loving ministry.

A person may say something like, "I'm sick of the Christianese and Jesus-juking."

Another person may reply back with, "Why are you taking this sincere biblical attempt at ministry of mine and tagging it with the irreverent terms of Christianese and Jesus-juking?"

Basically it could be an unintended dispute between those who sincerely just want to be heard and those who are sincerely seeking to give loving biblical minded ministry.
 
hoss2576

hoss2576

Senior Member
#7
May 10, 2014
552
23
18
#7
Someone once said "we have 2 ears, 1 mouth - use them accordingly.

This may not sound popular, but there is a time and a place to try to "push" Christ on someone. There are times when people are simply going to be more open to the message, and in the middle of deep hurts usually isn't it (at least I haven't found it to be). People want to know you care about them, and once they know, and after the hurt has subsided, then you can share how Christ plays a role in it. I really thing it's a matter of timing rather than caring.
 
Z

zaoman32

Guest
#8
#8
lil_christian said:
Sometimes, I wish I knew how to combat the whole "Minister first, ask questions later." stuff. I've found it very tiring to hear the cliche's over and over again. It's tiring to hear, "Well, God has His reasons." and "Jesus loves you so much, and so intensely." And I just wanna say, "Oh yeah? Well how about when I was crying my eyeballs out, begging him for mercy and healing, and NOTHING happened?" I mean...I know our view is so limited. We could never fully see the whole picture until we get to heaven. In the meantime, it is best to just listen to what the other person has to say. Offer prayer or a quick hug or coffee AFTER they're done talking and you've thoroughly listened.
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Yes those are big cliches, I think the worse ones for me are all the "Pray to Jesus and he'll help you" and all that stuff, it's like, yeah, you're not wrong, but that's extremely easy to say when (like you mentioned) you've never been on the floor screaming for help and nothing is happening. God has his timing and reasoning for everything, yes, but that is not the be all end all answer to make some one feel better every time.
 
Z

zaoman32

Guest
#9
#9
1still_waters said:
One person's Christianeze is another person's sincere attempt to minister
One person's Jesus-juke is a another person's attempt at serious loving ministry.

A person may say something like, "I'm sick of the Christianese and Jesus-juking."

Another person may reply back with, "Why are you taking this sincere biblical attempt at ministry of mine and tagging it with the irreverent terms of Christianese and Jesus-juking?"

Basically it could be an unintended dispute between those who sincerely just want to be heard and those who are sincerely seeking to give loving biblical minded ministry.
Click to expand...
I don't doubt their sincerity, and yeah I probably used a couple of words that would just be like poking a bear, for which I will apologize.

I just want to encourage people to spend more time in listening to others, than just talking without giving a whole lot of thought. I've dealt with it repeatedly recently. One person I got it from I really like a lot, I think they're a very sweet person, but it would have been more significant if the time was taken to listen, and attempt to understand and offer prayer, rather than just give advice without really taking the time to hear what was being said

So, again, if anyone was offended by the terms I used, I apologize.
 
JesusChica1991

JesusChica1991

Banned
#10
May 9, 2012
1,514
25
0
#10
Is it bad that when I read Christianese, I thought of an Asian person? Is that bad?
 
W

ww_21

Guest
#12
#12
Hey! I'm been a while sorry you're having a hard time will definetly keep you in my prayers. I've learnt very quickly here to not discuss my issues with anyone after an incident that happened the last time I asked for prayer. Now, I tend to stick to the streams thread because I trust the people there, other than than unless it's someone I know I ask for general prayer. I wish people would listen more and talk less. Sorry this happened to you.
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#13
#13
1still_waters said:
One person's Christianeze is another person's sincere attempt to minister
One person's Jesus-juke is a another person's attempt at serious loving ministry.

A person may say something like, "I'm sick of the Christianese and Jesus-juking."

Another person may reply back with, "Why are you taking this sincere biblical attempt at ministry of mine and tagging it with the irreverent terms of Christianese and Jesus-juking?"

Basically it could be an unintended dispute between those who sincerely just want to be heard and those who are sincerely seeking to give loving biblical minded ministry.
Click to expand...
Right. But the problem here is that the behavior is still not beneficial. Good intentions mean nothing if the words coming out of your mouth only raise problems, not solutions or help. I've yet to hear 'i went in with this problem and this guy started ranting about trusting Jesus and throwing out random scriptures AT me, it was so helpful'. No matter how well intended they may be, they still need to be taught there are better ways to make their desire to help and their zeal actually be effective and not just sound religious while spouting off psuedo-spiritual ramblings that have no connection whatsoever to the persons real needs.
While good intentions and zeal should not be frowned upon or discouraged, it should be corrected to become useful and not just a nuisance. This benefits not only the person receiving valid help, but also benefits the giver by making them a useful tool for God.
 
F

FireWire

Guest
#14
#14
What does Jesus-juke mean?
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#16
#16
FireWire said:
What does Jesus-juke mean?
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I think it means to blast people with Jesus and bumper sticker theology. Seems to involve a bit of 'you must not trust God' undertone since you're struggling.
 
S

Shouryu

Guest
#17
#17
Here's a typical Jesus-juke. You can imagine this as any kind of conversation - in the forums, face-to-face, in the chatroom, however. Any conversation between Christian brothers and sisters (which is what makes it all the more exasperating), is when a Jesus-juke is most likely to occur.

Alfie: I'm telling you, it was the best cheesecake I've ever tasted.
Ben: You don't say. The best?
Alfie: Can't remember having a piece that good ever before.
Chuck: No no no - see, I remember hearing you talk like this before.
Alfie: What?!
Chuck: You remember you went to that race in Dover two years ago? I remember you saying you stopped at a place on the drive back home, and had the cheesecake, you said THAT cheesecake was the best piece you'd ever had.
Alfie: Oh. Yeah, I'd forgotten about that.
Ben: Well, brother, I'll have to disagree, because the sweetest piece you can ever have is Christ Jesus. Isn't it?

Then Alf and Chuck just blink. Because their conversation just got Jesus-juked.
 
JesusChica1991

JesusChica1991

Banned
#18
May 9, 2012
1,514
25
0
#18
A Jesus-Juke...is a pun involving Jesus. Jesus-Juke is a pun itself.
 
Fenner

Fenner

Senior Member
#20
Jan 26, 2013
7,507
111
0
#20
Zaoman your OP reminds me of when I talk to someone and they talk over me and start telling me how they would have done something. I think the prayer intentions are better, but still it can make you feel confused and a little down.


How are you anyhow?
 
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