Can one be too "preachy" proclaiming with authority they don't have?
- Thread starter StrugglingTilMyReward
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Hmm, when thinking of this particular venue/format (forums in general) as a platform it is important to recognize that it is something like an omnidirectional microphone
You don't "have the mic." except that you do...but so does she and he and they. Imagine a church service something like a game show with pre-recorded messages that we each have our own private studio for. The game show element comes in with whomever hits the "send" button first will be seen first but not necessarily "heard" first (if at all). Except this isn't a "service" although I do certainly believe the Lord operates through this venue.
It's more of a watercooler or maybe something like a booth (and I appreciate the image of an assortment of soapboxers). Some are selling, some are buying, some are observing, and some are milling about. I'm sure there are a myriad of different reasons people congregate in these venues.
So "to preach" AT someone this particular venue would be unsuited for. Or at least I am starting to find that to be so, except for perhaps the blog section (which in this forum gets hardly any traffic).
To simply "preach" I suppose it could be likened unto street preaching. Listen or don't. So it appears to be acceptable here, but since it is a confined place it makes sense that you should operate with the understanding that many may listen but each have different reasons for listening. Sometimes it may be to simply inspect that you should indeed have a place to speak and these would "speak out" if they felt you did not.
I think the word is what gives us authority. Most here are image-bearers...which demands some sharpening. Rebuke, chastisement, correction, commiseration, encouragement, and edification.
However, we are not THE word so our authority has limits on how we carry each of these out and stewardship and accountability do apply. Particularly to not go beyond what is written.
I wasn't intending to be overlong about this, but yes I think we can. It is hard to consider the audience when your audience is potentially incredibly wide, and so I overlook a lot personally. As well as factoring in that not everyone understands their own role within the body and how to be in accord.
I've only felt like I was "preached at" once here, and I still felt it wise to keep it to myself and consider where they were coming from. I may have overstepped, I'm not sure still. Perhaps misplaced chastisement, but perhaps not. I've overstepped before by speaking about things that shouldn't have been spoken about adding a strong disclaimer and then somehow only awakened a person's curiosity toward things they might not have ever come across, so there is that.
We most certainly do have authority but since it is so vague in this format I think it best to be diplomatic unless directed otherwise.
You don't "have the mic." except that you do...but so does she and he and they. Imagine a church service something like a game show with pre-recorded messages that we each have our own private studio for. The game show element comes in with whomever hits the "send" button first will be seen first but not necessarily "heard" first (if at all). Except this isn't a "service" although I do certainly believe the Lord operates through this venue.
It's more of a watercooler or maybe something like a booth (and I appreciate the image of an assortment of soapboxers). Some are selling, some are buying, some are observing, and some are milling about. I'm sure there are a myriad of different reasons people congregate in these venues.
So "to preach" AT someone this particular venue would be unsuited for. Or at least I am starting to find that to be so, except for perhaps the blog section (which in this forum gets hardly any traffic).
To simply "preach" I suppose it could be likened unto street preaching. Listen or don't. So it appears to be acceptable here, but since it is a confined place it makes sense that you should operate with the understanding that many may listen but each have different reasons for listening. Sometimes it may be to simply inspect that you should indeed have a place to speak and these would "speak out" if they felt you did not.
I think the word is what gives us authority. Most here are image-bearers...which demands some sharpening. Rebuke, chastisement, correction, commiseration, encouragement, and edification.
However, we are not THE word so our authority has limits on how we carry each of these out and stewardship and accountability do apply. Particularly to not go beyond what is written.
I wasn't intending to be overlong about this, but yes I think we can. It is hard to consider the audience when your audience is potentially incredibly wide, and so I overlook a lot personally. As well as factoring in that not everyone understands their own role within the body and how to be in accord.
I've only felt like I was "preached at" once here, and I still felt it wise to keep it to myself and consider where they were coming from. I may have overstepped, I'm not sure still. Perhaps misplaced chastisement, but perhaps not. I've overstepped before by speaking about things that shouldn't have been spoken about adding a strong disclaimer and then somehow only awakened a person's curiosity toward things they might not have ever come across, so there is that.
We most certainly do have authority but since it is so vague in this format I think it best to be diplomatic unless directed otherwise.
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Preaching what is it really...people reaching?
I am not against preaching at all in that sense
But I suppose preaching to the choir and going on an on like a stuck record kind of defeats the purpose. If It gets under your skin well...maybe you need to go elswhere and think about something else. If it leads to conviction then why not do something about it. If someone has got something God wants them to say they will say it. You cant stop them.
Jesus disciples went through so much that the jewish religious authorities at the time wanted to stop them talking about Jesus, but they couldnt stop them even when they put them in jail.
The truth and the word must have free course. Even if some people dont want to hear it.
I am not against preaching at all in that sense
But I suppose preaching to the choir and going on an on like a stuck record kind of defeats the purpose. If It gets under your skin well...maybe you need to go elswhere and think about something else. If it leads to conviction then why not do something about it. If someone has got something God wants them to say they will say it. You cant stop them.
Jesus disciples went through so much that the jewish religious authorities at the time wanted to stop them talking about Jesus, but they couldnt stop them even when they put them in jail.
The truth and the word must have free course. Even if some people dont want to hear it.
I actually once felt that someone was "preaching to the choir" and I find this a very worldly expression. To the point where I examined whether or not I had simply seared my conscience in that particular area and was a bit bitter about it. Possibly so.
That also is excellent advice to step away. I wonder what a lot of these threads that get "spicy" would be like if people took an hour break, went for a walk or got some food or spent some time in the word or praying if their responses would be different. It's certainly be helpful for me, but at the same time irritating because "I" wanted to post what "I" wanted to post in response.
It is the internet though, so even if a thread seems random or doesn't apply directly to a person...it may to a guest. It's kind of cool how things can work like that
That also is excellent advice to step away. I wonder what a lot of these threads that get "spicy" would be like if people took an hour break, went for a walk or got some food or spent some time in the word or praying if their responses would be different. It's certainly be helpful for me, but at the same time irritating because "I" wanted to post what "I" wanted to post in response.
It is the internet though, so even if a thread seems random or doesn't apply directly to a person...it may to a guest. It's kind of cool how things can work like that
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