Woe unto the world. Stumbling blocks/offences.

[W2L]

Does debate ever become a stumbling block or offense? If so how should we avoid it?


Matthew 18:7 (NASB) 7 “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!

Matthew 18:7 (NKJV) 7 Woe to the world because of [a]offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

 

[LaSorcia]

I think it definitely can be a stumbling block when people debate with hubris instead of humility. Non-believers see Christians acting just as bad, or even worse, than other non-believers and can be turned off.

 

[W2L]

I think it definitely can be a stumbling block when people debate with hubris instead of humility. Non-believers see Christians acting just as bad, or even worse, than other non-believers and can be turned off.

I agree. The Apostle Paul teaches that we should put no stumbling block in front of others.

 

[Tolworth John]

Does debate ever become a stumbling block or offense? If so how should we avoid it?

Debate in it's self is not a stumbling block, but not listening to what is being said to you and not having good arguments are.

 

[W2L]

Debate in it's self is not a stumbling block, but not listening to what is being said to you and not having good arguments are.

Debate can be a stumbling block for others, but its not always debate itself thats the problem, as you said. The apostles talk about putting away debate and having the same mind and judgement. We can compare scriptures and discuss scriptures. However if we unnecessarily offend someone then we have worked in vain, and are subject to God's judgment as well.

 

[Kaon]

Does debate ever become a stumbling block or offense? If so how should we avoid it?


Matthew 18:7 (NASB) 7 “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!

Matthew 18:7 (NKJV) 7 Woe to the world because of [a]offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

Yes. That is why I still wanted to honor your request even if I had more to say (from another thread). At some point, it becomes superfluous, and an act in balancing on a soapbox.

With us, since there were no seriously fundamental discrepancies, it would have been ridiculous try to discuss or even argue about a disagreement when we are both on the same Spirit Team. I have a tendeny to believe I am right, like most humans.

How to avoid it? Speak up, and hopefully/eventually the other party will recognize and respond. If not, then just don't engage - especially if the parties can come to a mutual respect.

 

[W2L]

Yes. That is why I still wanted to honor your request even if I had more to say (from another thread). At some point, it becomes superfluous, and an act in balancing on a soapbox.

With us, since there were no seriously fundamental discrepancies, it would have been ridiculous try to discuss or even argue about a disagreement when we are both on the same Spirit Team. I have a tendeny to believe I am right, like most humans.

How to avoid it? Speak up, and hopefully/eventually the other party will recognize and respond. If not, then just don't engage - especially if the parties can come to a mutual respect.

Thank you.

 

[Tolworth John]

The apostles talk about putting away debate and having the same mind and judgement

Yes and he was talking to Christians quarrling among themselves.

Paul also said that we take captive every idea subduing them to the power of the gospel.
Debate is part of witnessing and to do that we need to know what we are talking about and to know what the person we are talking/debating with is saying.
In other words we need to know what they believe and to listen to what they are saying.

 

[W2L]

Yes and he was talking to Christians quarrling among themselves.

Paul also said that we take captive every idea subduing them to the power of the gospel.
Debate is part of witnessing and to do that we need to know what we are talking about and to know what the person we are talking/debating with is saying.
In other words we need to know what they believe and to listen to what they are saying.

We should not unnecessarily offend anyone. We should be teaching and reminding that to each other by word and example. We should heed the Lords warning in Matthew 18:7

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

The number one way satan attacks is through offenses .
Mark 4:17
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

 

[W2L]

The number one way satan attacks is through offenses .
Mark 4:17
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

Its certainly one way.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

Its certainly one way.

Look at Mark 4.
This explains the ways satan comes after a believer.
V17 is the very first way listed on how satan comes to steel the Word.

Wayside is self inflicted because they don't even want to consider or hear.

Once a person becomes offended and does not quickly forgive and cast that offense down then they step outside of Love and into unforgiveness which also gives satan the legal right to enter and begin to steel, kill and destroy.

 

[W2L]

Look at Mark 4.
This explains the ways satan comes after a believer.
V17 is the very first way listed on how satan comes to steel the Word.

Wayside is self inflicted because they don't even want to consider or hear.

Once a person becomes offended and does not quickly forgive and cast that offense down then they step outside of Love and into unforgiveness which also gives satan the legal right to enter and begin to steel, kill and destroy.

Christians are not impervious to being killed, or theft and moths stealing/destroying their possessions.

 

[icxn]

The ideal solution is to stop arguing altogether, which is contrary to what online forums are designed for. Maybe there’s a middle ground somewhere, a gracious and accommodating word that does not provoke the other person…

Relative quote from the Desert Fathers:

An elder said, “Beseech God to give you sorrow in your heart and humility. Be always attentive to your sins and do not judge others; rather, consider yourself inferior to all. Disassociate yourself from careless chatter; control your tongue and your belly. If somebody speaks to you about any matter whatsoever, do not argue with him. If he speaks well, say, ‘Yes.’ If he speaks badly, say, ‘You know what you are talking about,’ and do not contend with him about what he says; and this is humility.”​

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Does debate ever become a stumbling block or offense? If so how should we avoid it?

Yes, and it is not woe to only the world, but moreso to many who think themselves Christian teachers (a more severe judgment for them).

Avoid it? as in "let not many aim at being teachers ....." ?
Might be very useful if and when accomplished....
The biggest battle for many people is the many voices (posts?) in their lives that are directly opposed to Truth (Jesus).

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Once a person becomes offended and does not quickly forgive and cast that offense down then they step outside of Love and into unforgiveness which also gives satan the legal right to enter and begin to steel, kill and destroy.

Not quite it seems, not knowing more of the context you are thinking of.

Hasatan is already and has been entering and stealing, killing and destroying DAILY
on and in and via the internet (yes, daily), tv media, government, sunday schools, religious groups , secular schools, colleges, medical schools and organizations, political policies and agencies and groups, financial groups of every king, real estate corporations everywhere, etc etc etc .....

 

[Micah888]

Does debate ever become a stumbling block or offense? If so how should we avoid it?

Yes it can become a stumbling block. There is a simple way to avoid it.

(1) Present the truth as God has revealed it to you in His Word and by His Holy Spirit.

(2) Respond to any questions or requests for clarification.

(3) Refuse to engage in endless arguments to try and convince anyone about anything. All Christians have access to their Bibles, so they can either believe God or refuse to believe Him.

(4) Recognize at the outset that those who hold to false doctrines will never give them up for the truth. Instead they will double down on everything.

 

[mama2one]

Does debate ever become a stumbling block or offense? s!

curious, was this thread started due to other threads on CF

wondering as another forum that I was a member on, if there was a discussion started about another thread/because of another thread, powers that be considered it a meta-discussion and it was not allowed

am sure that wasn't your intent, however

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

curious, was this thread started due to other threads on CF

wondering as another forum that I was a member on, if there was a discussion started about another thread/because of another thread, powers that be considered it a meta-discussion and it was not allowed

am sure that wasn't your intent, however

The powers that be can and do delete posts and threads according to the rules of the site,
which includes posts like this discussing the powers that be ! (they cannot be discussed according to the rules)

Better then not to ask why this (or any other) thread was started with ANY reference to such things.

 

[mama2one]

ok ^
but I wasn't referring to powers to be on THIS forum but powers to be on another forum....ha ha

in any case, have not seen "meta-discussions" referenced in any rules for CF