The right way to handle those who don't agree on spiritual doctrines

[MyrtleTrees]

well repentence isnt something you do for others or your parents or someone with spiritual views or a priest (as in a catholicism, you go into a cupboard, tell a priest your sins and he gives you some hail marys to say) its something you do before God Himself.

Often peoples time with God isnt in a church building in view of everyone or even on a christian forum, confessing on how sinful you are. Its usually in those quiet moments alone with Him when nobody else is around.

Indeed - repentance to be most effective, usually - has to start with oneself alone with God and to God - I agree. I'm not Catholic and never have been one.

 

[Magenta]

Yes, we should always be ready to give an answer to anyone that asks us of the hope within us.

1 Peter 3:15

 

[GraceAndTruth]

Yes, it's important to watch for pride in ourselves in our answers to others in forums like this. Pride can make a person blind against learning new truths. It can also make a wrong impression on others, and that doesn't glorify Christ. I am not allowing myself to be under the affect of pride by answers I give to others. It is very hard to know how to avoid offending others in what one says, as one must state what one believes, though not all may like it or may misunderstand oneself. I think I learn with time how to better avoid being unnecessarily confusing to others. I sometimes say I pray for other who disagree with me. If I forgot to say that I know that they might pray for me too - well, I regret it if that makes them feel I am more of a Christian necessarily - than they are. However, I'll admit that some who don't agree with me on the need for repentance towards God - may not be true Christians. Because I know that some who believe the way they do - are not true Christians.

I understand where you are coming from, I too feel that those who are wrong just may not be born again to receive the truth. However, I "don't judge the servant of another" because their journey may be different from mine and just need time and spiritual growth to come to agreement, 1 Cor 1 tells us to have no divisions among us.......Jesus said that a liittle leaven spoils the whole......it seems to me that with the leading of the Holy Spirit ALL the children of God will come to be of that ONE MIND, the mind of Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith.

 

[Magenta]

I "don't judge the servant of another" because their journey may be different from mine and just need time and spiritual growth to come to agreement...

 

[Tararose]

I understand where you are coming from, I too feel that those who are wrong just may not be born again to receive the truth. However, I "don't judge the servant of another" because their journey may be different from mine and just need time and spiritual growth to come to agreement, 1 Cor 1 tells us to have no divisions among us.......Jesus said that a liittle leaven spoils the whole......it seems to me that with the leading of the Holy Spirit ALL the children of God will come to be of that ONE MIND, the mind of Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith.

I agree, but sometimes we have to
be open to the fact we might be the ones who need to grow. I certainly have discovered how wrong I was about many things I believed were scriptural and I am sure God has plenty more to correct me on and may oftentimes use others To challenge me as much as I may at times challenge them.

 

[GraceAndTruth]

Thanks! You reply explained it very well! I copied down for myself what you said, too! I had forgotten that verse in Luke 9:5 - yes, that's a very good verse on the subject, too!

I think that although some Christians don't read and study their Bibles as much as they should - that many do. Yet they are heavily influenced by their own pre-existing views on things, and by what kind of spiritual teaching they have been most under. So that the Bible verses on some subjects means something quite different to one person as compared to another person.

God bless you!

True words! It is sad to see so many unteachable spirits and not just in theses forums.....on any Sunday morning we see thousands of people packing churches of questionable theology......and the wolves in the pulpits devour them (and their money)

 

[GraceAndTruth]

I agree, but sometimes we have to
be open to the fact we might be the ones who need to grow. I certainly have discovered how wrong I was about many things I believed were scriptural and I am sure God has plenty more to correct me on and may oftentimes use others To challenge me as much as I may at times challenge them.

So true, and yet we are the first ones to declare our teachable spirit as we reject another's views without pondering on them first.

 

[Blain]

How could a sweet lady like you have that attitude in a FORUM where ideas are exchanged, debated and disputed.....to ignore them that do not agree with you? I'm certain the apostles faced that daily, but they were never deterred. To offer to "pray" for them is an back-door insult and indicates some spiritual pride....it says to them 'you are wrong to disagree with me and are not saved like I am'.

Its a forum....not a tea party. But being civil is part of good manners.
My first venture into the forums a couple of years ago.....off and on since for awhile.....when I looked back at my exchanges with others I was appalled at my behavior. It was a good lesson to me to see my own spiritual pride.

Myrtle was more saying if you see that nothing you say to them will change their mind no matter how much evidence you show them then you have to know when to shake the dust off your feet and walk away if a person is hostile and you take the bait to get to far into a debate wirth them then it just becomes senseless arguing

Learning how to debate correctly takes time a lot of experience and learning how to take deal with and respond to opposing views beliefs and responces, there are far to many who will use scripture as evidence yet not even understand the verses that they are posting they take it out of context or view it to fit their own beliefs some of these people will use scripture as solid evidence and expect you to take it as truth yet if you show scripture they are completely blind to it and many are easily quick to name call mock or just be rude in general

These types are far more common than the believer that knows how to debate in calm mature and Christ like manner and you have to learn how to know when the debate no longer has any fruit in it and walk away

 

[soggykitten]

Do two red Xs equal a checkmark?

No but put one after they other they do look like a wacky type of ichthus.

 

[SoulWeaver]

When I stop arguing, arguments cease. It works.

 

[Blackpowderduelist]

Do two red Xs equal a checkmark?

That depends on who's giving the red Xs.

 

[soggykitten]

That depends on who's giving the red Xs.

True enough.
Look, I don't think the adults in this forum need to be schooled on how to comport themselves when discussing the faith or scripture. We aren't drones, we're individuals in a personal relationship with the greatest creative power in existence and that sacred and holy spirit loves us and knows we're human.

I think we also have to realize the elephant, or more like wolf, in the rooms. Not everyone who joins a Christian community is Christian.
Christians will disagree in understanding of scripture. That's a given. Anyone who has spent time in a bible study group will recall that. If this hasn't happened to someone here try it. Bring up a topic for discussion in the next meeting and then ask everyone their opinion using scripture for support.
Everyone will have a different perspective even if they cite the same scripture.

The wolf equation however is different. Wolves don't speak sheep. Wolves take a Christian's understanding and twist it and then use the twisted garbage against the Christian. And as we all know, or should know, wolves travel in packs.

If we stop arguing with a wolf or ignore them, that works. However, you'll notice then when the wolf realizes this has happened the pack will talk about that sheep among themselves but of course in public. And that is what shows the wolf beneath the costume of the sheep.

I don't believe in casting pearls before swine. Wolves unrepentant go to Hell. If God will judge them worthy of that why waste kind breath on a creature that has no intention of paying attention because they have no respect for you? If they held respect for the Christian they wouldn't wolf pack in our communities.

Want to see evidence of a wolf?

The one who mocks what I said and accuses me of a rant is a prime candidate.
This thread asked for opinions and input. That's mine.

 

[Blackpowderduelist]

A male sheep is called a rams. Rams have horns and they butt heads.
Wolves have teeth and they bite, with intent to kill.

 

[lenna]

to whom it may concern.

 

[SoulWeaver]

A little snack for Pride & Prejudice fans, couldn't resist once I read "agreeable":

 

[soggykitten]

A male sheep is called a rams. Rams have horns and they butt heads.
Wolves have teeth and they bite, with intent to kill.

The thing about wolves hunting? They're canine. Their teeth are the same as a dog because all dogs descend from the wolf.
When the wolves capture prey, the alpha will take it down and go for the throat. Not to rip it open, but rather to bite down and slowly suffocate the animal to death. Meanwhile, the rest of the pack begin to eat the animal while it is still alive.

As for sheep and the fact that wolves cannot speak the language of the sheep.
Jesus as the Good Shepherd
John 10:1 “I tell you the solemn truth,[a] the one who does not enter the sheepfold[b] by the door,[c] but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The doorkeeper[d] opens the door[e] for him,[f] and the sheep hear his voice. He[g] calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.[h] 4 When he has brought all his own sheep[i] out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize[j] his voice. 5 They will never follow a stranger,[k] but will run away from him, because they do not recognize[l] the stranger’s voice.”[m].....27. My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give[bn] them eternal life, and they will never perish;[bo] no one will snatch[bp] them from my hand.

Theological Liberalism is one of the wolves languages.

Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets,[w] who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.[x] 16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered[y] from thorns or figs from thistles, are they?[z] 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad[aa] tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will recognize them by their fruit.

 

[Guojing]

This is the attitude Christians need to have when dealing with those who differ with them in spiritual doctrines:
"I'll pray for you, and I love you, but I don't agree quite the same."
And if you find they don't agree quite the same as you - and can see that they aren't likely to change their views any time soon - then often, it is best to keep communication on those things at a minimum with them. Since God wants us to be peacemakers and also to help keep the unity of Christians in the whole church of God, here on the earth. It does no good to keep telling their views if they are solidly set in their own views on a thing. It is the same way when working at converting unbelievers to Christ. If they aren't interested or open to hearing the gospel message you have to offer - then just pray for them, and let the Holy Spirit work on them.
Jesus preached to crowds a lot. Paul did too, and preached regardless of what opinions might be of some in his congregations. That's a lot like posting spiritual things on the internet. But Jesus didn't explain spiritual things to others personally, unless He knew they had a genuine interest in hearing what He had to say. He always explained such things personally - aside from the crowds - to his disciples.
I looked for testimonies of people who got converted to Christ. I noticed some were more like Luther - in his approach to salvation. Coming out of the Catholic church - he had to learn that works alone can't save anyone. That gave him much relief, and led to his salvation, since he came to see that being saved came largely as a result of God's grace. He rejected the book of James, I've read, as he thought it was not a genuine book of the Bible.
Other testimonies of conversions I read about - were about people who prayed to get converted to Christ, but didn't at first respond to the need to repent of their sins. They didn't have full assurance of their salvation, until they learned the importance of repentance, from the Bible.
As for myself, I thought I got converted, when I was 12 years old. But I denied the need for full repentance towards God. I didn't come to full repentance unti many years later, after I surrendered my life wholly to God - and came to be in the habit of always praying for God to help me be as obedient as was possible. And always doing my best to be as obedient to God as I possibly could, And always repenting daily of my sins. After that big change of my way of following God in my life - I for the first time, had full assurance of being saved. And have continued to have that assurance ever since.
I used to strongly feel the presence of evil forces in my life, and it felt scary. Now, I feel safe - and feel God's presence with me every moment of every day in my life. So much better this way - so glad for this very important improvement in my life!

Eph 4:1-3
4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
KJV

Paul gave the advice here

Romans 14:5, KJV: "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."

 

[MyrtleTrees]

Paul gave the advice here

Romans 14:5, KJV: "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."

Yes, excellent example! And the scriptures say not to disobey one's conscience. So that means one must do what they best know to do in things according to what they see in the Bible. Until or unless he comes to understand how he has been in error in his views on subjects that he is in error in.

 

[MyrtleTrees]

I understand where you are coming from, I too feel that those who are wrong just may not be born again to receive the truth. However, I "don't judge the servant of another" because their journey may be different from mine and just need time and spiritual growth to come to agreement, 1 Cor 1 tells us to have no divisions among us.......Jesus said that a liittle leaven spoils the whole......it seems to me that with the leading of the Holy Spirit ALL the children of God will come to be of that ONE MIND, the mind of Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith.

True - we aren't to judge one another unnecessesarily. As God knows people's hearts better than we are capable of knowing them. Though we can't help question in our minds about whether a person we're addressing - is saved or not. That's understandable, as not all who say they're saved, really are. But we shouldn't mention our doubts until unless it becomes clear to us that they don't know God. This all takes learning. Not all understand the range of doctrines there are, among true Christians, but may understand better with time. One saying that makes sense, is something like this: "When we get to heaven - some people will be surprised to know that some people are there that they'd thought wouldn't be there!"

 

[GraceAndTruth]

True - we aren't to judge one another unnecessesarily. As God knows people's hearts better than we are capable of knowing them. Though we can't help question in our minds about whether a person we're addressing - is saved or not. That's understandable, as not all who say they're saved, really are. But we shouldn't mention our doubts until unless it becomes clear to us that they don't know God. This all takes learning. Not all understand the range of doctrines there are, among true Christians, but may understand better with time. One saying that makes sense, is something like this: "When we get to heaven - some people will be surprised to know that some people are there that they'd thought wouldn't be there!"

Are we really going to look around heaven to see 'who made it'? OR just join the hallelujah chorus in praise of His majesty.

Agreed, we never know when a believer will take a 'growth spurt'.
It is right to judge what people say, Jesus "judge ye what I say" wanting them to compare His words with scripture. That is the standard,
The Bereans checked out what Peter had said and God commended them for it. It's part of discernment.

Truthfully, nothing God does surprises me.......He will save to the uttermost those He loves.

Romans 10:20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,
“I was found by those who did not seek Me,
I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”