"Make every effort to live in peace with all men..."

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Jullianna

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Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
~ Galatians 5:19-21

Matthew 23 -
24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

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Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29

I Thessalonians 5 -
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Here's the question:

How do you respond to a "christian" with a contentious, argumentative, bitter spirit? Just pray? Be as loving as possible? Ignore them?

When I look at that list and see that this type of behavior rates right up there with sorcery and orgies, it gets my attention. How about you? :)
 
Good post Jullianna.

For me personaly, my fight is never against flesh and blood. I see people in the light of "Gods blueprint" and see past the damage the ENEMY has done in a persons life. I focus on bringing truth, in love, ignore anything a person says against me in an attacking way. My goal is always to see captives free from the ENEMY ...people are NEVER my enemy regardless of how bad they treat me or speak to me. I will not engage in foolish arguments over doctrines pulling out one scripture to fight another. I seek the Lord for wisdom in how to speak, letting the Holy Spirit guide my words. I pray for my "enemies" and at times use the wisdom not to speak but be quick to listen, to understand the heart of another. Occassionaly, If feel led by the Holy I will bring correction, but thats rare....but when I do its sharp and to the point. I think the last time I did that on the forums was because someone called My Father the devil......they can say what they like about me......but when they call my Heavenly Father the devil, I will not keep quiet :)
 
In the Christian community this is a tough one.

In the past, I mistook people as being divisive, being dissenting, causing rivalry, causing strife, when in fact all they were doing was defending truth.

Regardless of what they're doing, we must understand that what they're doing IS coming from their heart.

Mark 7

20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

There are so many nuanced, complex scenarios.

I'd suggest being as practical as the situation allows, and as loving as possible. Don't spread yourself thin, all in the name of ''love''.
 
Good point, Stilly. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, huh?

Perhaps we need to remember and understand that a truly divisive spirit usually springs from a heart of bitterness and do all we can to speak healing to that...the core of the problem, rather than respond in kind (which we are definitely instructed not to do).

It's not always easy, is it? Perhaps that's why that being "slow to speak" scripture exists. To give us time to ponder the core of the thing rather than what first hits our ears/eyes.
 
Jullianna said:
Good point, Stilly. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, huh?

Perhaps we need to remember and understand that a truly divisive spirit usually springs from a heart of bitterness and do all we can to speak healing to that...the core of the problem, rather than respond in kind (which we are definitely instructed not to do).

It's not always easy, is it? Perhaps that's why that being "slow to speak" scripture exists. To give us time to ponder the core of the thing rather than what first hits our ears/eyes.
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Yup cuz not everyone in the arena is an opponent.
Sometimes they are a sweet, precious Rue.
RueOk.png
 
I agree with everyone here, even though all the replies have a slightly different conclusive point. I often strggle with the verses directing us to love and not judge and then these:

Titus 2: 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise you.

I Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.

Yes, each person can be totally convinced that their truth is THE truth. Often a person speaks from the heart, but their heart is deceived. It's perfectly OK to express your true feelings and beliefs. Where the line should be drawn is when what you are expressing is done so as general instruction to other believers, and it just does not line up with the context of the whole Word of God.

You know, I read so many threads here and just click off and refuse to respond, because any response would be hurtful or unacceptable or divisive to someone, or would result in a host of other negative results. On reflecton, I believe the only correct action is to consider if how we respond will result in any good being accomplished in someone's life. If SO, correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. If NOT, move away without comment.

I think that this is an example of acting in a loving manner.
 
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Jullianna said:
How do you respond to a "christian" with a contentious, argumentative, bitter spirit? Just pray? Be as loving as possible? Ignore them?

When I look at that list and see that this type of behavior rates right up there with sorcery and orgies, it gets my attention. How about you? :)
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4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. - Ecclesiastes 7:4,5

There are times in which people with an argumentative spirit need a good dressing down by someone in a position of either experience or wisdom. Beaten on all flanks. Broken by the realization that neither they nor the bitterness or pessimism in which they wallow hold all the answers.

This is what broke me as a pre-teen. I was more intelligent and more principled than my peers. This made me think I had all the answers, so I was willing to blast people and rip them a new one, regardless of age. It took encounters in person and in print with people who thought levels beyond me to realize that I didn't have all the answers. The more I learned, the more I came to realize what few answers I had. So I mellowed.

Those who argue and contend based on pride are often cured if someone elegantly knocks them down a few pegs.

The list itself merely confirms that all sins are equal in God's sight.
 
I hope no one misunderstood and thought I meant we shouldn't stand for the truth in love. I was referring more to individuals for whom creating strife and turmoil is a hobby. :)

Ritter, I agree that all sin is sin. :) Absolutely. That was kinda my point. We tend to forget that sometimes. :)
 
Jullianna said:
I hope no one misunderstood and thought I meant we shouldn't stand for the truth in love. I was referring more to individuals for whom creating strife and turmoil is a hobby. :)

Ritter, I agree that all sin is sin. :) Absolutely. That was kinda my point. We tend to forget that sometimes. :)
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I knew you were getting at, but thanks to life-experience, I couldn't help but emphasize the point, hahaha.
 
I'm a pretty loose cannon when it comes to dissension an strife coming up. If I get crap from someone I usually give them crap back, and oddly enough it really doesn't help the situation. So I've been trying to just keep my mouth shut and pray.
 
In my own walk with Christ I see this in myself as a "Misbelief" or a demand. "People must act a certain way or I will upset myself and become frustrated". I don't have to upset myself about someone elses anger.
I have to remind myself that other people have free will and I am not in charge. God is.

When I have my head screwed on straight I will accept them the way they are. Pray for them. Try to share some scripture in love. If they refuse loving council I will brush the dust off of my feet and move on.
 
I try to stay observant all of the time. When I catch myself feeingl frustrated, I ask myself. " What sort of stuff am I upsetting myself about now.

30 Loven the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
31 “The second is: Love your neighbort as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.”

Proverbs 25:15 A ruler can be persuaded through patience,and a gentle tongue can break a bone. Pr 15:1; 16:14,32; Ecc 10:4
 
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