Treating others with respect

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EarnestQ

Senior Member
Apr 28, 2016
2,588
310
83
#1
In many other threads on CC, the BDF is known as a battle zone where people are constant attacking one another.

I think they observe that among many posters in the BDF there is a clear lack of respect for others.

Respect is treating others at least as well as you treat yourself. Honor them no matter where they are in life. Find things to appreciate about them and let them know that you value them for that.

Perhaps another word for respect is "value". Value others greater than you value yourself. This is not to say that you should devalue yourself, but that you should basically ignore how important you think yourself is and treat the other as deserving more "respect" than yourself. This is also known as humility.

A humble person does not assume spiritual superiority over another. He does not criticize or condemn another as being less mature or theologically accurate than himself. A spiritually mature person is humble when dealing with others, including in the BDF.

God was humble when He washed our feet. In love, He respected / valued others as greater than Himself. He was willing to die in our place because He valued / respected / loved us so much.

We are to reflect that love every chance we get to the world around us, not the least of which is in the BDF. We are to treat ALL others with respect in the hopes of communicating to them that God respects and loves them enough to die in their place.

True Christians will be known for how they respect and love one another, not how sophisticated their theology is.

If one does not treat others with respect, the Holy Spirit is not working in them very fully.

If a poster is not demonstrating the fruit of the Holy Spirit, including humility and respect for others, then their theology is wrong no matter how strongly they believe themselves to be true and correct.

When you post, please pray to reflect God's love (and truth) in your posts. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to reflect Jesus to those who read your post.

Thank you.
 

OstrichSmiling

Well-known member
Jun 17, 2018
1,027
418
83
#2
I think in any Christian forum a Bible Discussion Board will invite those who are enemies of the truth to start trouble.
In my short time here I've witnessed anti-semites argue their position. I've witnessed that same personality uphold Replacement Theology. I've read that argument that insists Jesus was not divine and carried within him the sin nature but willfully chose not to sin. I've witnessed a doctrine appear that disparages the virgin birth so as to uphold the sin nature birth of our Lord.

I think the wicked of the world who can choose to join a Christian religious forum and pretend to be one among those members just to conjure strife is soon found out. We know them by their posts.
I also remember Jesus who fashioned with his own hands a whip. And took after the Jewish people, his people, who served as money changers for the Roman authority while seated before God's temple.
That was the holy spirit outraged! At the defilement of His Father's house. I remember Jesus telling the Pharisee and the scribes what they were in his eyes in Matthew 23:15. And he did not equivocate in John 8.

We are to comport ourselves as indwelt saints, living temples, that contain the holy spirit of God and live the truth of the message of eternal irrevocable saving grace.
Are we to also give Satan a kiss as his disciples seek to repudiate the truth that sets humankind free? Did Jesus respect the Pharisee and scribes who called God incarnate, Emmanuel, and there are some that condemn that name as they claim themselves to be in God's grace, blasphemer? Worthy of death?

I think not. Christ like. Means beating back the Devil when he boldly enters among us. Language is important of course. Holding that enemy of truth and devourer of souls in respect?
 

Deuteronomy

Well-known member
Jun 11, 2018
3,324
3,689
113
68
#3
In many other threads on CC, the BDF is known as a battle zone where people are constant attacking one another.

I think they observe that among many posters in the BDF there is a clear lack of respect for others.

Respect is treating others at least as well as you treat yourself. Honor them no matter where they are in life. Find things to appreciate about them and let them know that you value them for that.

Perhaps another word for respect is "value". Value others greater than you value yourself. This is not to say that you should devalue yourself, but that you should basically ignore how important you think yourself is and treat the other as deserving more "respect" than yourself. This is also known as humility.

A humble person does not assume spiritual superiority over another. He does not criticize or condemn another as being less mature or theologically accurate than himself. A spiritually mature person is humble when dealing with others, including in the BDF.

God was humble when He washed our feet. In love, He respected / valued others as greater than Himself. He was willing to die in our place because He valued / respected / loved us so much.

We are to reflect that love every chance we get to the world around us, not the least of which is in the BDF. We are to treat ALL others with respect in the hopes of communicating to them that God respects and loves them enough to die in their place.

True Christians will be known for how they respect and love one another, not how sophisticated their theology is.

If one does not treat others with respect, the Holy Spirit is not working in them very fully.

If a poster is not demonstrating the fruit of the Holy Spirit, including humility and respect for others, then their theology is wrong no matter how strongly they believe themselves to be true and correct.

When you post, please pray to reflect God's love (and truth) in your posts. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to reflect Jesus to those who read your post.

Thank you.
Hi EarnestQ, I'm a mod at a different Christian forum, so I am particularly sensitive to the lack of respect and love for one another that I've found out here in the online Christian world over the years. As such (whenever possible), I post the signature line Scriptures that you see below as a reminder, both for others AND for myself too.

I also agree that prayer is the other, necessary ingredient in making loving posts that honor, glorify and please God, but I must admit that this is an area I fail in regularly on all the forums I post on (so I greatly appreciate the reminder and admonishment).

~Deut
 
T

theanointedsinner

Guest
#4
EarnestQ
as disrespectful as I am, I do appreciate that you are more respectful than I am, at least we can start with that

and you do provide valuable explanation for what it means to respect, so at least I can value you for that

we all have to start somewhere, and we can respect this starting point, because EarnestQ have stated "Honor them no matter where they are in life"

with respect,
anointed
 

glf1

Active member
Jun 10, 2018
314
124
43
#5
Here's another thought:
The Lord tells us: "touch not mine anointed." The anointing comes not from accurate doctrine, but rather from walking in the Spirit and the work of the ministry. Now the one who does the Lord's will, and learns more accurate doctrine should be able to draw that much nearer to the Lord or do even greater works than before; so its good to share the truth. But it is always good to share with respect because the one who is so wrong in their opinions, may just have the Lord's favor, even so.
 

EarnestQ

Senior Member
Apr 28, 2016
2,588
310
83
#6
EarnestQ
as disrespectful as I am, I do appreciate that you are more respectful than I am, at least we can start with that

and you do provide valuable explanation for what it means to respect, so at least I can value you for that

we all have to start somewhere, and we can respect this starting point, because EarnestQ have stated "Honor them no matter where they are in life"

with respect,
anointed
.
I believe that as long as one is conscientiously trying to improve in an area of their (spiritual) life and as long as they are quick to admit failure when they fail to live up to Jesus' example then they are worthy of respect for where they are. Therefore I respect your position and encourage you to keep on keeping on. ;-)
.
 

EarnestQ

Senior Member
Apr 28, 2016
2,588
310
83
#7
Here's another thought:
The Lord tells us: "touch not mine anointed." The anointing comes not from accurate doctrine, but rather from walking in the Spirit and the work of the ministry. Now the one who does the Lord's will, and learns more accurate doctrine should be able to draw that much nearer to the Lord or do even greater works than before; so its good to share the truth. But it is always good to share with respect because the one who is so wrong in their opinions, may just have the Lord's favor, even so.
.
I think you are right.
.
 
Sep 4, 2012
14,424
692
113
#8
Some people hide razor blades and hand grenades in their communication. I really don't think they even know what they're doing. Reminds me of this

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. Psalms 55:21