RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should we be offensive at all?
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RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should ... - 10/3/2008 7:45:58 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3585
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From: a mother who let me live
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Stella, you are a delight. The way you handled each situation was your individual way. I would have done it my individual way. That doesn't mean that my way would have been more "right" than yours -- just different. And I appreciate you.
Once I hit 55, I had a revelation: I was an old woman! Yea!! That meant that I could say whatever I thought, and as long as I said it sweetly, with a smile, everyone would be nice. You aren't there yet.  But bless you, you don't have to wait.  
quote:
ORIGINAL Stella:
And someone I know pretty well was ranting and raving about the election and abortion rights and she said all women should stand up and protect our choice and she had some email about it that she was going to send to me and I could forward it to my friends.
Stella! You don't agree that women have the full rights over their bodies and over the bodies of the little boys and girls they chose (in most cases) to lie down and make? Wow!
Well. You asked quote:
at what point you would vigorously defend your faith or other beliefs.
There are some of my beliefs that I would stand face to face and defend. There are some beliefs that I would die for. I know the difference, and it looks like you do, too.
You are a good woman. Bottom line. But you don't need my accolades, and you likely don't even want them. Bless you.
quote:
ORIGINALLY Liveloved:
The truth does offend.
Amein
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should ... - 10/5/2008 8:36:21 AM
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rogerpowell
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hello, i am new this form of interaction but i became a member just to reply to this specific thread.
Jesus came into the world and the world received him not. if the world would not accept the original do not be discouraged by its failure to accept you.
Most importantly, read and pray! then you will be filled with the Holy Spirit, you will open your mouth and he will fill it. this truth we carry in us is the stench of death to them that are perishing so it will ALWAYS be offensive.
Jesus said to preach the gospel, Paul said to defend your faith. as long as you stay in the spirit of Christ you are unbeatable!
there is no set formula for when to jump up and be aggresive or remain silent. remember that your personality plays a big part in how you approach the task. if you are a spunky person, you will be a spunky witness. just be ready always and follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit
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RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should ... - 10/5/2008 9:46:23 PM
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French100
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I don't post often, actually, I can't remember the last time that I posted. What I do feel about this is that Yes as CHRISTians - we should proclaim the gospel - but also remember that we represent more than just ourselves - we represent Jesus and our church and Christianity as a whole. I think that when we study the characteristics of our Lord and take them literally and learn them and practice them and then present our views in that Christ-like manner - We have nothing to be sorry for.
I think that many times, and I include myself in this, that we forget that God promises us the words to say and to use during times of confrontation. It is strength in speaking. But we sometimes pray, "Give me the words" and go about our business in tv, internet, and phones and work and play and we wait for God to "show" us what to say. All along it is right infront of us. The scripture!! And what better way to spread the gospel than to know that we know what we are talking about. Talking about confidence! Study the word and then we will have the words to speak!!
There's a scripture in Titus that tells us that in all we do, to live righteously and to speak Christ-like and when we do that, that our advesaries will fail in their words to condemn and have no fowl words to speak of us. God bless you all!
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RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should ... - 10/6/2008 12:27:48 AM
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captainfraulein
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
And someone I know pretty well was ranting and raving about the election and abortion rights and she said all women should stand up and protect our choice and she had some email about it that she was going to send to me and I could forward it to my friends. I said don't bother, I'm not going to forward it. And she said why and I said because the opposite of life isn't choice, it's death. That was a few weeks ago and she's still miffed at me. That is kind of a different thing, but if someone can rant to me about something I don't believe in, aren't I allowed to say what I do believe in? And as Christians, shouldn't we?
I want to hear from some people at what point you would vigorously defend your faith or other beliefs.
You rock! You spoke the truth! Before I was a Christian, I was confronted and acted in a very similar fashion. I think you did the right thing here.
I think you are sensitive enough to ask the question "did I go overboard"...some never do ask themselves that question!
I meant a lady recently who hammered me for not telling my friends of a different stripe of Christianity that "they are wrong! the bible says!" She seemed like a hammer ready to strike out and confront. I have been down that path and acted like that...it has NEVER worked for me. It has backfired.
In both these cases you cited, you offered up your opinion. Yes, you could have made friends and patiently showed through coffee chats that gal's error in her opinion of Christianity...but maybe God wanted you to help her wake up. You just don't know.
I have some gays friends who are married I dearly love. I presented that while I believe Civil Unions are okay (legals rights of visitation in hospitals, inheritance, sharing funds, etc)...I don't support gay marriage. I don't want my church being told that they have to marry gays. She got that but it hurt her. I also did not go to her wedding. And it killed me inside to hurt her. But she KNOWS I love both her and her wife. I had to be authentic though.
It is a tightrope we walk. The Fred Phelps of the world do so much of the devil's work. it is awful.
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"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." -Jim Elliot
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RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should ... - 10/6/2008 8:21:24 PM
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ReadingSports
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Hi, I don't post much here, and I'm kind of new, but this is an interesting topic.
I often post in a secular web site. I view my activities there as a chance to talk about Christianity and defend the faith.
Quite often I get insulted. Sometimes I ignore it, sometimes I don't.
Recently I mentioned demons in one of my posts, and someone called me "lacking in intellect", stupid, and insane. I said that I thought his comments were condescending. (Though revealing what I really believe on a secular web site is probably stupid and insane.)
Needless to say I got called a lot more names. But is it wrong to point out that someone is acting nasty, and to stop treating people that way. Even though the person isn't a Christian.
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Micah 6:8
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RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should ... - 10/6/2008 8:25:09 PM
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ReadingSports
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Oh, and I should mention that my reference to demons was a joke about suicide bombers and the 'virgins' being demons.
Rather than a serious discussion of them.
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Micah 6:8
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RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should ... - 10/6/2008 8:38:23 PM
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LoyalGypsy
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
I'm starting this thread for a couple of reasons.
1) I have opened my mouth and inserted my foot several times over the past few months while talking to unbelievers. This has occurred in each case when they've been bashing Christianity, I've had a surge of adrenaline and next thing you know, I'm going off and hurting people and feeling dumb.
2) I have managed to offend some people who claim to be Christians by calling them on things that they are doing that are decidedly un-Christ-like.
Please understand while doing so, I am fully aware of my shortcomings, my own struggles, my logs, etc. I am a work in progress and I'm humble enough to admit it. And in the case of #2, I'm not calling people on small things...I'm talking about the three women I know who are "Christian," pregnant out of wedlock and living with their boyfriends, etc.
So my question is...and this kind of goes along with the judging thing...how "offensive" should we be in our faith? How much should we worry about hurting people's feelings when we're telling them the truth?
Greetings
quote:
So my question is...and this kind of goes along with the judging thing...how "offensive" should we be in our faith?
Telling the truth is enough, trust me, it raises offenses
Mt 13:57 - Show Context
So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."
Basically if a pastor is not ruffling a few feathers, then there is that chance they are not called.
Matthew 15:10-20
10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."
12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"
13 But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
It didn't seem to bother Jesus....
In verse 13 folks get very offended when their plant is uprooted,
Christians don’t get offended, we rejoice in correction!
That’s the key
quote:
RE How offensively should we live for God?
If one is not offensive ....then does one possess the truth?
Or should we be offensive at all?
Depends no ones understandings of all the above
LG
_____________________________
Ex 19:5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice
...So the Persians ask that the 300 drop their arms. Leonidas responds; "Persians! Come and get them!"
300 The Movie
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RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should ... - 10/7/2008 10:24:01 AM
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TracyF
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Joined: 10/7/2008
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We are already an offense, because we live in the world. Last night on the radio a preacher said this indicating that our lives (and the Spirit Who lives in us) is a rebuke to the world. So, you can stop worrying about being offensive to the world, because that will stop only when you die.
When my daughter asks me what to do when she sees someone doing wrong i tell her that: 1. if it is really bad, report it to the teacher; 2. if it is not so bad but just something someone should not be doing, tell them that is wrong. She asks then what if they get mad, or don't change. I tell her that it is her responsibility to tell that person what they are doing wrong and what they need to do to correct it. It is then that person's responsibility to correct their behavior or not. I can only give them the information. What they do with it is up to them. God also uses the words He gives me to touch their hearts. The change will ultimately come from Him.
So generally, if I see something wrong, I speak up. Sometimes i don't, because i don't want to be a pushy. But then i take it to the 'Teacher' if it is really wrong, in prayer.
But as far as sharing the gospel, i just do that at every opportunity. i miss some, but i don't stress it like i used to, because God is merciful. We are just called to tell it; to be witnesses. The Holy Spirit is the One Who convicts and reveals and saves. I just leave it in God's hands, i.e., commit my way to Him and He grants me success.
Pray this helps.
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RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should ... - 10/7/2008 11:15:23 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3585
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From: a mother who let me live
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Well, that's what makes the world go around properly, Tracy. If everyone was like me, we would surely be unceremoniously flung off into outer space.
For me, I taught my children to basically mind their own business, and I do the same, when someone does something I perceive as "wrong." The reason, however, is experience: the number of times I have been accused when completely innocent, the number of times what I did was misinterpreted, the number of times people who were simply fault-seekers were looking for fault in someone just so that they could step on them with their words in order to raise themselves higher in their own minds.
However, when someone speaks out against my L-rd, I speak out. Similarly, when people do not appreciate, support, and respect the children, born and unborn, I speak out. These two incidents Stella related needed to be handled, and I am glad she did it. But one needs to use discretion and wisdom in choosing what wrong-doing should be spoken to and when to be silent. Just my opinion.
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should ... - 10/8/2008 9:10:47 AM
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stampinlady
Posts: 1570
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From: Northern IL
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quote:
Don't feel guilty about the interchange with that woman. It was her own words that made her show her lack of education, not you.
Should we call people on behavior such as you gave the example of. My personal belief is yes. If I am given the opportunity to hear another say those things, then I am given the same opportunity to proclaim the truth.
I agree. I don't see anything wrong in how you responded to that woman, in fact, Paul did ths same thing when confronted by false teachers. I think we should always watch our posture, tone of voice and eye rolling( which I do alot) when defending the Gospel.
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Deb
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RE: How offensively should we live for God? Or should ... - 10/8/2008 9:40:52 AM
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stampinlady
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I think the eyerolling can show frustration just as it can show contempt.
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Deb
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You'll all be glad to know that God has kept my mouth firmly shut at work the past week or so. It's getting heated, what with the election coming up and all. Actually, God does a pretty good job of keeping my mouth shut all the time, so when I go off the way I related to you I'm often as surprised as everyone else. 
