Sometimes we as Christians let our flesh get the best of us... at least I do so I suppose in some instances I personally have been involved in.. He hasn't been thrilled... However, to stand up for truth IS something that DOES please HIM and I TRY. ( don't always succeed) . I don't ever want to be wishy washy or lukewarm about truth. Because Jesus was never wishy washy or lukewarm about it.

Also would like to say there is nothing wrong with a healthy discussion either. I don't always agree with every real Christian on this site. However we should never be rude. (I do have a sense of humor though... and I'm not afraid to use it.) :)

That is an awesome explination classyT, it makes a lot of sense. I am guilty of this too.

I think when there is "fighting" that brings confusion about Christianity, then I think He is disappointed in us. The Bible says "to be angry and sin not." There is a healthy way to discuss things. Sometimes it means CHOOSING to be the one that ends it by saying no more. True forgiveness goes a long way.

Also, God's people have always had non-believers present throughout most of their gatherings. For instance, when Moses brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, some of the Egyptians, also came. And as you know, there were problems with severe consequences.

Then throughout Jesus' ministry he had many followers, believers and non-believers. The Sadducees and Pharisees were do-gooders of God's own law that constantly tried to catch Jesus in a fault. He always remained calm and used wisdom when answering. And lastly, the disciples always had their share of revilers, mockers, and taunters as they tried to share the Truth with non-believers that wanted to know more about the Jesus that they were preaching.

I am sure when they went home each evening they were wondering what they might have accomplished. In their flesh, I am sure they were weary and mentally tired. BUT, because of their great trust in God, they believed that He would give them the ability to speak as Paul stated, "utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel," Ephesians 6:19.


With that said, it would seem that there are people that view the Christian discussion forum as offensive because maybe God's Word "steps on their toes." God's Word does have that power. That are acting and reacting as a lost person would. If you remember, we were lost at one time too.

Yet, we do have our flesh to contend with, and occasionally we yield. But as a whole, our "posts" and discussions should be done in a manner that would bring God glory because it is really not about us but ALL ABOUT HIM. Rita

Mrg,

I agree with you! If we could, WOULD remember it is all about HIM.. perhaps the pettiness wouldn't get in the way. I don't always do that BUT sometimes people are just offended by the TRUTH.. doesn't have to be about what anyone says.. sometimes just quoting the bible tends to cause a fight. Intersting though? I don't see this too much on other faiths boards. Some would claim it is because of "christians" but I tend to think it is much deeper than that. Just my take.

You cannot tell people the truth without offense, Jesus knew this and that is why he spoke in parables. Unfortunately we Christians have never perfected the art of using parables, we want to convince the world with the brilliance of our argument

Parcalete,

That is an interesting thought. I don't believe that is why the Lord Jesus spoke in parables though. I also don't think he was afraid to speak truth.. on several occasions he made the pharasee's so mad they picked up stones to stone him... but he slipped away. He also called them a brood of vipers... so I'm pretty sure he wasn't afraid to speak truth. But He was God therefore perfect. Perhaps it is easier to receive truth from perfection.

But YES, sometimes we think our answers are brilliant. I know I have... ha!

Jesus said why he spoke in parables:

Mark 4:10-12
11 And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that
'Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.' "
NKJV

There are some who are open to the truth and others who are not. There are some who are open to the guidance and the drawing of the Holy Spirit and those who are not.

I am not so sure that Jesus spoke in parables to avoid the offense to those who are perishing as much as it may have been to confound them with a simple truth.

I just found this verse, thought I'd throw it out there:

James 1 19-20 (NLT)
"My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. Your anger can never make things right in God's eyes."

I think it's self explainatory.

Actually classy that brood of vipers quote was John the Baptist, Jesus was a little more subtle calling them whited sepulchres full of dead men's bones.
Jesus tells us he spoke in parables so that those who were perishing couldn't understand which is strange since he brought a message of salvation:)

That is strange that he would try to disguise or camouflage it from the very people it was meant for. Why do you suppose he did that?

I also wondered at one time why Jesus spoke in parables even though His explanation was written in the Bible. My understanding is that His use of parables revealed the Spiritual condition of man in the fullest.

Often, He would speak plainly to His audiences. I am sure there were times that His audience (filled with believers and non-believers) were ready to listen. At these times, He did not need to speak in parables, because His plain speaking could indeed pierce their hearts.

Then, there were times when Jesus did speak in parables. Usually His audiences were filled with not only the non-believers that came to listen, but also non-believers that would not be touched by His words because of their pride and resistance. Even then, the non-believers that were seeking would "hear" Jesus' Words and have their hearts pierced, while "others" had hardened hearts.

There will always be some lost that will "see," "hear," and "understand" no matter in what way that Jesus speaks.

2 Peter 3:9 says that God does not want anyone to perish but, rather, that all would come to repentance. His Word teaches that He will save all that accept Him.

As a Christian, I stay busy trying to remain humble before Him so that I can be used of Him. This also includes waiting on God so I will "know" how to answer others. Do I always wait? No. But my desire is to let Him "finish the work that He has started in me." I am still a work in progress. Glad He has patience!

[QUOTE=jenniepepsi;1854216

What do you think, The Lord, Our God, The Christian God In the Bible...thinks of all the fighting we do here on this board...

and before you answer, please ask yourself...how would jesus answer...how would HE want you to treat eachother...[/QUOTE]

Let's see here... I'm an atheist, but I was raised Catholic. I think that God would throw the fighters into an eternal lake of fire, and Jesus would be saddened and try to teach us to be kind to each other. I have no idea what the Holy Spirit would do. :D

So in relation to the OP, how would you apply these verses?

Jude 1:3-4
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
(KJV)

Jenniepepsi - Much of the intra-Christian squabbling over the Bible is rooted in the obsessive reading of a book(s) that was never meant to be obsessively read.

The Buddhists have an expression that fits - it goes something like this.

When you point your finger at the moon, look at the moon, not your finger.