Love Thy (irritating) Neighbor??

[Blade]

Pray about it.. forgive me many wonderful people here praise GOD but.. will get different answers and all are looking in not experiencing it. Myself by the time I see the light so to speak lol.. is to walk another mile and smile and help.. if IF that is what the lord has lead me to do. GUILT is NOT of God. did you know OT .. Christ died for that? Yeah.. so if you feel guilty its the enemy not God I would pray about it.. HE will give you a PEACE. Maybe to leave him alone who knows.

 

[Mem]

Nowadays I try to just keep to myself, but I will definitely add this concept to my "arsenal" of being at peace with everyone, as much as it depends on me.

Thank you for bringing to remembrance that particular part of it. That's the key!! Now, if only you could remind me of it daily!

 

[2ndTimothyGroup]

Thank you for bringing to remembrance that particular part of it. That's the key!! Now, if only you could remind me of it daily!

Haha . . . I can if you want me too. I've already broken the rule myself. Its not easy!

 

[Mem]

Haha . . . I can if you want me too. I've already broken the rule myself. Its not easy!

The thought that you would is enough, tysm! But, I should and will take upon myself the personal responsibility to write on a post it note and tack it up on my mirror so then I won't be able to even look at myself without being reminded, "as much as it depends on myself."

 

[Mem]

This is where you have to work. He may never see the light, but as long as he's Catholic he'll never see any need to repent or change.

I was trying to pinpoint exactly "what's wrong" with the Catholic way (no! this is not a cue to tell me all about what...) and I think I've pinpointed it to that it places another, priest, pope, or whatnot, between you and Jesus. This obscures not only personal relationship but also personal responsibility to maintain that relationship, and teaches dependence on 'other than Jesus'es, which then becomes habitual since, I think, everyone, inherently, is searching for Him, but they're confused because they think they are just searching for their life, which (only) He Is, of course...

 

[followJesustoday]

I learned of a Jewish medrash that teaches, "Whoever is kind to the cruel will end up being cruel to the kind," in an article Cruel to be Kind that leads with the heading, "Destroying evil is perhaps the greatest act of kindness possible." Of course, when I found this searching for another article teaching this same concept, the description specified, '(this is not about your annoying neighbor),' but still it could be of use in some smaller capacity., such as in trying to find the perfect balance between loving your neighbor (or your enemy) but not without loving yourself, nor your other neighbors.

It sounds like you're enabling his bad behaviour. When you can help him with a good conscience, go ahead. When you can't, don't entertain his criticism or pity party. Just walk away. He'll eventually get the message that you won't be manipulated.

Wouldn't it be better to talk to him about the Lord?

Seems like this is a good opportunity to witness to this guy not just with acts of kindness, but also with the word of God. When he continues asking for things then he is putting himself in a position where he pretty much has to listen or just not come around anymore.

Let's face it the guy is in his 80's so he's probably not got too much time left. So he really does need to hear and be concerned about the afterlife and his soul.

***********
Believe me, I've talked a LOT about God and given him great pieces of literature about Christ. People are just set in their ways, but maybe the seed I planted will take root one of these days.

 

[ResidentAlien]

I was trying to pinpoint exactly "what's wrong" with the Catholic way (no! this is not a cue to tell me all about what...) and I think I've pinpointed it to that it places another, priest, pope, or whatnot, between you and Jesus. This obscures not only personal relationship but also personal responsibility to maintain that relationship, and teaches dependence on 'other than Jesus'es, which then becomes habitual since, I think, everyone, inherently, is searching for Him, but they're confused because they think they are just searching for their life, which (only) He Is, of course...

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[Snacks]

I have a neighbor that lives across the hall from me who takes advantage of my kindness. In the past I have done
a LOT for him. By the way, he is 80. Me and another neighbor have given 'Tom' a microwave, my idea, so he can prepare meals easier.
I have given him many things to help him out. This man drinks a lot and has mentioned a favorite bar he goes to. He has health issues
including gout and I have suggested to him that drinking is probably not good for him, but he continues drinking. I've left him spiritual books
to help him but who knows if he reads them.
He calls to complain about the neighbors, and says Louisville is so unfriendly, which I don't agree with.
I have done so much for him that when I can't do something he plays this pity me act. I am not the only neighbor he asks to do things for him
and they complain that he bothers them a lot too.
I feel guilty now when I don't do things for him that he can do for himself and worry about the 'Love Thy Neighbor' law from Jesus?
What should I do about this? Any suggestions???
Thank you, LK

Cherry juice alleviates gout. Provide him with that knowledge and keep him in prayer.

 

[studentoftheword]

He's 80 years old folks...

And it sounds like he might be an alcoholic according to what is posted on him ------and alcohol can make one dependant---- crotchety -and manipulative ----- just saying -----you cannot help one who doesn't want help ----you will not produce Good fruit -----Helping a person is suppose to give God Glory not us ------

Have a look at the fruit your producing helping this man -------Matthew 7

 

[1ofthem]

And it sounds like he might be an alcoholic according to what is posted on him ------and alcohol can make one dependant---- crotchety -and manipulative ----- just saying -----you cannot help one who doesn't want help ----you will not produce Good fruit -----Helping a person is suppose to give God Glory not us ------

Have a look at the fruit your producing helping this man -------Matthew 7

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While I appreciate what you are saying, and in some instances, it is true. Such as, going out buying items or assisting people in sinning in any way would be wrong. Here's the thing, I didn't nor would I ever say help him to the bar, buy him some liquor, open it for him, or anything else along those lines.

Here is what I'm saying, you should have enough love and patience toward people if someone calls you complaining (about their life others around them or whatever else) you can take the time out to use that as an opportunity to bring the Lord into the conversation. Nothing hard about changing the subject and bringing the Lord into it. Nothing wrong with it that is the Love of God for another.

Anyone, who hasn't got the time or patience to pray for and witness to someone about the Lord, should probably check their own fruits.

Galatians
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Just something to ponder.

 

[1ofthem]

***********
Believe me, I've talked a LOT about God and given him great pieces of literature about Christ. People are just set in their ways, but maybe the seed I planted will take root one of these days.

In witnessing to and helping this man you have shown the love of God to him and planted a seed. I'm praying that it will take root and this man will be truly saved.

 

[JohnDB]

In witnessing to and helping this man you have shown the love of God to him and planted a seed. I'm praying that it will take root and this man will be truly saved.

Well there is always that hope...

But it's never a "give to get" transaction.

We are kind and giving because that is our nature...not for any other reason.

 

[Lanolin]

sounds like a difficult customer! I know what you mean..and they dont go away
Somethings you may need to just grin and bear do what you can and let God do the rest
Dont beat yourself up if you dont see any change.

Its not all on you (as this guy also goes to others) I have had my share of alcoholics AND catholics AND grumpy old people that have been difficult!

 

[1ofthem]

Well there is always that hope...

But it's never a "give to get" transaction.

We are kind and giving because that is our nature...not for any other reason.

Thanks, but I'm sure that we all already or at least should all know that. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink and all that. We can sow and water through the Spirit that works within us. That is the evidence of God working within us and it is ultimately God who gives the increase.

The reason that we all should be kind and giving is that we are born again spiritually and are now walking in the Spirit. That is where the fruit of the Spirit comes from. If for some reason we don't see that fruit working in our lives then it's time to take inventory and sit down and have a heart-to-heart discussion with the Lord.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Amen ! Yes and we need to hear what he said in order to practice it and bear fruit

often anytime what he said to do is mentioned the argument becomes “ by grace through faith “ but faith that saves is found here

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The argument sometimes when what he said to do is mentioned seems , just seems to me anyways to be designed to avoid hearing what he said which is what creates faith in us somwe can begin walking in it.

truthfully works are part of it that we shouldn’t argue against

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

of grace becomes the reason we reject any works he said to do we’re off base and working on a different grace