I read a thread in this forum that caused me to think......

[NewSong]

There is one person that is allowed to debate in the regular forum and that same person uses minimizing tactics here on the debate forum and trickery to win a point. This individual consistently does things that are childish, in my opinion and yet is supposedly a know it all with the Word of God and application. How can we as individuals respect that from our leaders in churches, on the forums, or in our communities? Isn't there something wrong with trickery? Not following the rules? Manipulating? and Minimizing people just to win a point! I have no respect for this individual and people like this person and it makes me want to puke because it reminds me of the churches I have been in.

So, my question, besides prayer how do you deal with these kind of people without exposing them since other people apparently are willing to tolerate their behavior and even follow the nasty tactics ....

Just a bee in my bonnet. I don't have anything against anyone but I do have something against the tactics used by individuals.

Well that is my vent and you can discuss it or ignore it.

[JimfromOhio]

There is a huge difference between persuasion and manipulation. Manipulation happens alot among Christianity.

[ARBITER01]

So, my question, besides prayer how do you deal with these kind of people without exposing them since other people apparently are willing to tolerate their behavior and even follow the nasty tactics ....

I don't worry about the personal side of individuals. This is the internet.

All of us who are actually a part of Christ are in a growing stage. We shall never be complete at any point, nor should we be comfortable, so,... you will see differing aspects of individuals, even old habits still alive that people use.

The more we get our mind towards Christ, the less those negative individuals have effect upon us. Actually,... I normally spend more time on the internet around unbelievers since they are more uplifting in areas than Christians can be. All the debate, discussion, and argument is quite fleshly in approach and can be nothing more than a distraction away from me drawing near unto GOD.

[NewSong]

I reckon you are right. I just lost respect for the poster though.

[FoundInGrace]

I've wondered the same thing, but I guess we all have good areas and bad areas. Thats not to say it's ok, I don't know aside from prayer either. I have a person in my life like that IRL too and it's a puzzle to me.

[ARBITER01]

I reckon you are right. I just lost respect for the poster though.

It happens. Even as we grow spiritually, we begin to see faults and good things we didn't see before.

[Optimax]

PM the person and tell them that there is a thread they should read.

[NewSong]

I am ignoring the thread! It isn't worth it to try to tell them. They would just accuse me of control. :*(

[FoundInGrace]

I am ignoring the thread! It isn't worth it to try to tell them. They would just accuse me of control. :*(

I hear ya, and I know it sounds trite but be reassured that God sees it all and He is working, may not seem like it now but He is.

[map4]

A lot of threads are started with motives behind them. To prove a point, or to show that 'their side' is right. I see it happen a lot. From people on both 'sides'.

But, like most things, we only want to 'call out' the ones we disagree with and see nothing wrong in the ones we do agree with.


What I have been noticing a lot lately is that someone will 'jump' on someone for saying judgemental things about another. Then that same person will go in another thread and say judgemental things about someone they disagree with. They don't seem to see that they are doing the same thing they accused someone else of doing. Sadly, most of us are guilty of this hypocracy.

No wonder Christians are looked at like we are. What are we showing them.

[ARBITER01]

A lot of threads are started with motives behind them. To prove a point, or to show that 'their side' is right. I see it happen a lot. From people on both 'sides'.

But, like most things, we only want to 'call out' the ones we disagree with and see nothing wrong in the ones we do agree with.


What I have been noticing a lot lately is that someone will 'jump' on someone for saying judgemental things about another. Then that same person will go in another thread and say judgemental things about someone they disagree with. They don't seem to see that they are doing the same thing they accused someone else of doing. Sadly, most of us are guilty of this hypocracy.

No wonder Christians are looked at like we are. What are we showing them.

Message boards are a fertile ground for quite a bit of fleshly activity, no matter who we are, or the position we hold at them.

Obviously, our true spiritual growth will not come from them, and hopefully the majority of us will outgrow them and go onto much greater things in Christ.

[Tamara224]

So, my question, besides prayer how do you deal with these kind of people without exposing them since other people apparently are willing to tolerate their behavior and even follow the nasty tactics ....


We just have to learn how to ignore it and not let it get to us. Pointing it out won't do any good, calling them on it only starts a flame war.

[ARBITER01]

We just have to learn how to ignore it and not let it get to us. Pointing it out won't do any good, calling them on it only starts a flame war.

This is correct.

Our flesh is not to be easily provoked by others and their actions. It takes some spiritual growth on our part, but it is a measure of ourselves and where we are in our walk with Jesus. I don't say that to condemn, I can be caught off guard at times also, but we are to eventually be impervious to such things.

[probinson]

A lot of threads are started with motives behind them. To prove a point, or to show that 'their side' is right. I see it happen a lot. From people on both 'sides'.

But, like most things, we only want to 'call out' the ones we disagree with and see nothing wrong in the ones we do agree with.


What I have been noticing a lot lately is that someone will 'jump' on someone for saying judgemental things about another. Then that same person will go in another thread and say judgemental things about someone they disagree with. They don't seem to see that they are doing the same thing they accused someone else of doing. Sadly, most of us are guilty of this hypocracy.

No wonder Christians are looked at like we are. What are we showing them.
There's a lot of wisdom in this post, and I'm just as guilty as the next guy for "jumping" on those that I disagree with while giving somewhat of a free pass to those I do agree with.

Thank you for the reminder. I will try to do better.

[Balance]

.

[NewSong]

This is correct.

Our flesh is not to be easily provoked by others and their actions. It takes some spiritual growth on our part, but it is a measure of ourselves and where we are in our walk with Jesus. I don't say that to condemn, I can be caught off guard at times also, but we are to eventually be impervious to such things.


Good word my friend! :clap:

[JimfromOhio]

A lot of threads are started with motives behind them. To prove a point, or to show that 'their side' is right. I see it happen a lot. From people on both 'sides'.

But, like most things, we only want to 'call out' the ones we disagree with and see nothing wrong in the ones we do agree with.


What I have been noticing a lot lately is that someone will 'jump' on someone for saying judgemental things about another. Then that same person will go in another thread and say judgemental things about someone they disagree with. They don't seem to see that they are doing the same thing they accused someone else of doing. Sadly, most of us are guilty of this hypocracy.

No wonder Christians are looked at like we are. What are we showing them.
In summary, you know all you need to know about a poster's standards, motives, driving desires, and real religion through their words. Our motives conduct even though it is part of our fallen nature. This is why we have grace. Through grace, Holy Spirit's convictions are to break down our fleshy motives.

There is nothing wrong with having a desire to prosper as long as our motives are correct which often referred to Fruit of the Spirit.

[map4]

In summary, you know all you need to know about a poster's standards, motives, driving desires, and real religion through their words. Our motives conduct even though it is part of our fallen nature. This is why we have grace. Through grace, Holy Spirit's convictions are to break down our fleshy motives.

There is nothing wrong with having a desire to prosper as long as our motives are correct which often referred to Fruit of the Spirit.


The only thing that I would add to this is that sometimes our intent on these forums are misread. We can't always see the heart in which they are written. And we do sometimes read others words through preconceived ideas of what we think they are saying instead of truly reading their words and trying to see their heart.

We are all a work in progress. The Holy Spirit is working in us all to produce those fruits. We all need to strive to 'take no offense' at what others say.
I can truly say that these forums have helped show me that ;). Especially when everything I say is taken the wrong way by another.

[JimfromOhio]

The only thing that I would add to this is that sometimes our intent on these forums are misread. We can't always see the heart in which they are written. And we do sometimes read others words through preconceived ideas of what we think they are saying instead of truly reading their words and trying to see their heart.

We are all a work in progress. The Holy Spirit is working in us all to produce those fruits. We all need to strive to 'take no offense' at what others say.
I can truly say that these forums have helped show me that ;). Especially when everything I say is taken the wrong way by another.

What you are referring to called "sanctification" through Grace. We will never be perfect but we can always ways be filled with the Holy Spirit. ;)

[map4]

What you are referring to called "sanctification" through Grace. We will never be perfect but we can always ways be filled with the Holy Spirit. ;)


dup

[map4]

What you are referring to called "sanctification" through Grace. We will never be perfect but we can always ways be filled with the Holy Spirit. ;)


Yes, I never said anything contrary to that. Believe it or not Jim, I do know what grace is and being filled with the Holy Spirit :wave:

[JimfromOhio]

Yes, I never said anything contrary to that. Believe it or not Jim, I do know what grace is and being filled with the Holy Spirit :wave:

And you do know that understanding GRACE that "working" on your faith to gain something contradicts grace. God gave us our potential in terms that we didn't earn it because it was undeserved and offered by grace according to His Soveriegn Will.

[map4]

And you do know that understanding GRACE that "working" on your faith to gain something contradicts grace. God gave us our potential in terms that we didn't earn it because it was undeserved and offered by grace according to His Soveriegn Will.


Hmmm, I never said I 'work' on my faith to gain anything.

When the Holy Spirit speaks something to me, through the Word or however else He may speak to me, I believe it. Period. My faith, is in what He tells me. My faith is in Him. Not what I can do or not in 'faith in faith'.

I don't try to gain anything other than what He wants for me.

[JimfromOhio]

Hmmm, I never said I 'work' on my faith to gain anything.

When the Holy Spirit speaks something to me, through the Word or however else He may speak to me, I believe it. Period. My faith, is in what He tells me. My faith is in Him. Not what I can do or not in 'faith in faith'.

I don't try to gain anything other than what He wants for me.

Ahh... not "at will" rather than God's will in terms of faith?