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Hi Demi, Hugs!
I'm so glad you started this thread and I hope that some on here will hear your heart. I do!
I am new here and I guess my expectations were too high. You know, like you and others, I don't mind the disagreements because they will happen. I expect them.
Sometimes I've noticed it's simply a misunderstanding and there was an apology. I wanted to leap through my screen and give both of those brothers a hug! That's love in action!
What I really dislike is the belittling, the name calling, telling others there not a Christian if they don't believe a certain way or whatever. Many are quick to judge wrongly or harshly. It seems some do it to be funny; it's not funny.
What has happened to real love? What is love?
-turning the other cheek
-thinking more highly of others than you think of yourselves.
-taking the wrong.
-considering how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.
-forgiving one another.
-building one another up.
-serving one another.
-being gentle
-being kind
-being filled with goodness
-being patient
-nut being rude
-not writing a list of wrongs
-not puffed up
-not easily angered
-it's not envious
-it doesn't go out to impress others
-it's not arrogant
-it's not conceited
-it doesn't speak evil of one another
-it's not accuastory
-it doesn't gloat over being correct or others being incorrect
-it doesn't gloat over the sins of others
-it's slow to be offended
-it gives others the benefit of the doubt
-it delights in truth
-it perseveres
-it bears up under any trial
-it always hopes and never loses faith
-it abides forever
-it's full of joy
-it's faithful
-it's peaceful
-it enables you to have self control
-it enables you to die for your brother
I didn't put anyone on an ignore list.
I'm not sure how to do that so what I've been doing is ignoring the whole thread of some posts so that I don't have to read the awful belittling if you not believe their way or the name calling, or the tantrum throwing, etc.
I hope and pray that those who read this thread, that they take the words to heart. We are new creations in Christ, we're no longer bound to the sin nature. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we don't have to be living out of the carnal flesh. Let's not rise to the occasion. If someone has wronged you, don't wrong them back. Forgive instead.
The word says that if we walk in step with the Spirit, if we're filled with the Spirit, we won't carry out the deeds of the flesh. Let's prove those words true.
So everyone, let's live in the truth of God's word. The enemies tactics are to get us to hate one another, to not forgive or not show love to one another. Don't give the enemy place. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, resist the enemy and He must flee.
Love each one here, we're even to love our enemy. Love them completely and don't react out of the old carnal nature. God has given you His nature. Let's walk in truth, in Holiness, and righteousness.
Let's repent and forgive each other. If we blow it let's be quick to apologize.
And the devil does have his emissaries on here. Don't give them fuel. If you have to, ignore them when they try to get your goat. The enemy loves it when we are at each other's throats. Let's shame the devil by walking in the Spirit and truly loving one another.
If you survive this site and stay for more than 2 weeks, you are no longer "new." You are officially "an old timer."
Just thought you should understand that, Old Timer.