Dealing with others.

[Sischristal]

With everything going on in the world right now, I am coming across a lot of social media showing people who say they're Christians expressing a lot of anger, hatred and negativity towards people who are poor or who are not white. I know we are told in the Bible to confront our Brothers and sisters in Christ who are doing wrong. We are told to confront them wisely and with love. However I am having trouble knowing how to gently show others that this is wrong. How are we supposed to react to or handle others that are doing this?

 

[blueluna5]

If someone stole money from your house wouldn't you be angry?

Obviously they can go overboard online with it, but I don't understand why Christians think you can't get angry at all. Even God gets angry with people when they are ungrateful.

If a spouse cheats, they have the right to be angry as well.

 

[Falconn007]

With everything going on in the world right now, I am coming across a lot of social media showing people who say they're Christians expressing a lot of anger, hatred and negativity towards people who are poor or who are not white. I know we are told in the Bible to confront our Brothers and sisters in Christ who are doing wrong. We are told to confront them wisely and with love. However I am having trouble knowing how to gently show others that this is wrong. How are we supposed to react to or handle others that are doing this?

Social media does only one thing promote the sensationalism, to increase their shareholders profits. They are wolves(beast) in sheep's clothing and they will be dealt with, the hardest part of this is not indulging in their judgment to come but for the Faithful too remain steadfast in their Spiritual growth.

ANGER is not the solution, it is a delusional lie to carnal think/believe you have a right to be angry.

Bare witness in their disappointment/disapproval, as this witness bounds how they have offended against Christian Faithful values, to which they all must answer too, this witness-bound to them in the Heavens. This witness will not be favorable to any one of them who falsely called themselves 'christians' but are instead the seed of the evil devil. This is a commandment from God and Jesus.

There is no confrontation command but turn your other cheek and let God deal with them.

Shake the dust from your feet at them and move on.

I use to give out empathy for every tragic event that happened in the world, but now I ask God to have mercy on them, for only God knows what kind of relationship all those victims had/have with God Spirit.

I saw on the news a man give a free boat ride to a mother and her two daughters, only to later rape all three and drown all of them.

I saw on the news about the floods in Kerville, Texas, that killed over one hundred people, May God have mercy n them.

I saw on TV parents grieving for their daughters lost in the floods at a camp that was known not to follow safety flood protocols, May God have mercy on them.

I saw on the news, a man who killed his entire family so that he could continue his adulteress affair, May God have mercy on them.

I saw on TV a college woman who was killed by her one of her countless sugar daddies and burned to hide the evidence, May God have mercy on them.

Indeed "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from all evils".

 

[Deuteronomy]

With everything going on in the world right now, I am coming across a lot of social media showing people who say they're Christians expressing a lot of anger, hatred and negativity towards people who are poor or who are not white. I know we are told in the Bible to confront our Brothers and sisters in Christ who are doing wrong. We are told to confront them wisely and with love. However I am having trouble knowing how to gently show others that this is wrong. How are we supposed to react to or handle others that are doing this?

Hello Sischristal, the Bible is clear about how we are to approach church discipline .. e.g. Matthew 18:15-17, as well how we are to handle a brother/sister in Christ who has sinned against us personally .. e.g. Luke 17:3-4, but I'm not entirely sure how church discipline should be applied (or even if it should be applied) in many cases on our modern social media platforms because,

1) In this situation, we rarely know who we're dealing with (out here in cyberspace) like we do when we're in church or when we know someone personally, and we must know because we shouldn't take the same approach towards an unbeliever who is sinning as we do when we know (for certain) that the sinner is a saint (and, as you pointed out for us above, the "bad" that's going on in this case is being perpetrated by those who, on the one hand, "say" that they're Christians, but whose behavior, on the other hand, tells us a different story altogether, that they are probably not who they "claim" to be ).​

​

2) Also, the Bible tells us that the correcting of a sinning believer, whether in church or personally, always begins (and hopefully ends) as a private exchange between two people .. e.g. Matthew 18:15, Luke 17:3, but social media is almost always a public, not a private conversation right from the get-go!​

​

Of course, since most social media exchanges are public conversations that the whole world can see, perhaps the approach that we take must be different than it would be in church or personally I'll have to think that one through a bit more....​

That all said, you can start to make things better immediately (on any social media platform) a) by claiming to be a Christian and then b) by acting like one too People will take notice of this kind of behavior on your part (and appreciate the difference that they see), and oft times even want to imitate it, eventually anyway.

You could also try the direct approach by asking the person who is being rude, angry and/or mean to others why he/she feels that it's necessary to do so, ESPECIALLY those who self-identify as "Christians". You should do so gently/in respectful manner, of course, even when you feel like you'd prefer to respond in kind

This is an interesting problem that does need to be thought through and addressed, so thanks for bringing it to our attention. I'll also be interested to hear how others have handled this modern problem of ours when they've come face to face with it, as well what the outcome was when they did.

I know a Christian theologian & pastor (Dr. Sinclair Ferguson) who has a Christian living quote that has never failed me when I've actually chosen to follow it. It says, "Be obedient even when you do not know where obedience may lead you". The problem for me (in this particular case) is knowing exactly how to be obedient, so again, I look forward to seeing what everyone has to say in this thread!

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy (David)

1 Peter 3​

15 In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord, always being prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ​

16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.​

.

 

[Deuteronomy]

ANGER is not the solution, it is a delusional lie to carnal think/believe you have a right to be angry. There is no confrontation command but turn your other cheek and let God deal with them.

Hello Falconn007, I agree with what you wrote, for the most part, including the above concerning anger. That said, I have recently taken another look at some of my beliefs concerning "anger" because of what the Bible has to say about it (and I'd like to hear your thoughts).

For instance, in one of my favorite instructional/Christian living Chapters in the Bible, Ephesians 4, anger is discussed. There, in v26, the Lord, through the Apostle Paul, gives us the following command, "BE ANGRY"!! Of course, that command is quickly followed by three other commands that all qualify the meaning of the first command (all four of these verbs are in the Greek imperative mood, just FYI).

Ephesians 4​

26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ​

27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. ​

So, it now seems to me that there is, indeed, a confrontational command (other than "turn the other cheek") that we are (commanded) to obey, as the Lord leads us (but always under the strict guidelines that are given to us by Him in the passage above, of course).

There is quite a bit more that I'd like to discuss about this, but I'd like to get your thoughts about the above first (especially if you think that I'm missing something important, which I am prone to do sometimes, so please don't hesitate to point it out to me if I am).

Thanks

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy
p.s. - along with the example that the Lord gives us in the Gospels of His righteous anger (when made a whip and He drove the sellers of sheep and goats, along with their sheep and goats, the money changers, AS WELL all of the people who were buying the sheep and goats, out of the temple), there is at least one more "confrontational command" that I can think of offhand (given to us in Luke 17:3), where the Lord commands us to "rebuke" a brother or sister in Christ who has sinned/sinned against us (to start the process that leads not only to forgiveness, but to reconciliation with them too). The imperatives are in bold type below.

Luke 17​

3 “If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ​

4 And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” ​

.

 

[Sischristal]

If someone stole money from your house wouldn't you be angry?

Obviously they can go overboard online with it, but I don't understand why Christians think you can't get angry at all. Even God gets angry with people when they are ungrateful.

If a spouse cheats, they have the right to be angry as well.

Why be angry at poor people and people who are not white?

 

[Falconn007]

It would seem as a contradiction here , does it not....

some translators wrote this .....

Ephesians 4
26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.

ONE verse....

KNOWING FIRST :

2 Peter 1:20
20But understand this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation, 21for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

witness....

1 Corinthians 2:13
And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

1 Thessalonians 2:13
And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.

Can you even SEE or HEAR how the translators of God's Word are "words taught us by human wisdom," and "as the word of men" !?!

These translators just translated ancient languages of Hebrew and Greek, some with knifes to their throats sort of speak, Many translations and not all in agreement, to how the words flowed in Spirit Truth not able to be DISCERNED by their own carnal minds.

However is anger a command to be a right of Faithful believers !?!

What else does the Word of God state for anger or against.

A cross references to Ephesians 4:26 :

Psalm 4:4
Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah

(((Be angry,..... and be still.))) Looks like a simple contradiction in the same verse but is it.

Tremble, רִגְז֗וּ (rig·zu) Strong's 7264. ragaz

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

be afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake,
A primitive root; to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear) -- be afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake, rage, shake, tremble, trouble, be wroth.

Definition
to be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited, perturbed

Topical Lexicon
Overview
Strong’s Hebrew 7264, ragaz, gathers a cluster of ideas that move from inward agitation (anger, indignation, anxious trembling) to outward convulsion (quaking, shaking, panic). It appears about forty-one times, spanning Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets. The term can describe the response of nations before the LORD (Exodus 15:14), the trembling of the earth itself (Habakkuk 3:10), or the righteous but restrained indignation of the faithful (Psalm 4:4). The breadth of usage underscores both the moral seriousness of sin that provokes divine wrath and the creaturely frailty that trembles under the weight of God’s majesty.

Which of these have a more DIVINE flow ?!?

(1) Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah

or

(2) PROVOKE, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah

>>>> Why should provoke be used ????? well let us see the flow of :

Ephesians 4
26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

BE ANGRY, ὀργίζεσθε (orgizesthe) Strong's 3710. orgizó

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
provoke, enrage

From orge; to provoke or enrage, i.e. (passively) become exasperated -- be angry (wroth).

see GREEK orge

3709 /orgḗ proceeds from an internal disposition which steadfastly opposes someone or something based on extended personal exposure, i.e. solidifying what the beholder considers wrong (unjust, evil).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is that word again - 'PROVOKE'

>>>> On to the second translation of 'anger"


on your anger, παροργισμῷ (parorgismō) Strong's 3950. parorgismos

3950 parorgismós (from 3949 /parorgízō, see there) – irritation (exasperation, bitterness) which is provoked, i.e. by someone causing a personal ("up-close") sense of anger (R. Trench, 127).

3950 /parorgismós ("slowly built-up provocation") is only used in Eph 4:26. See 3949 (parorgizō).

Strong’s Greek 3950 designates the inner state of provoked, simmering irritation that, if unchecked, hardens into settled wrath. It is more than a passing flash of annoyance; it is anger nursed and retained. Scripture treats such lingering provocation as spiritually hazardous, contrasting it with momentary righteous indignation that can be disciplined for godly purposes.

Provoke is not a 'conception' of anger, it is a movement/provocation of Spirit that gives way to God's WRATH, "Vengeance is MINE says the Lord".
-------------------------------------------------------------

>>>> The Word of God has more to say on this .....

James 1:19-20
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Ecclesiastes 7:9
Do not be quickly PROVOKED in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

>>>> That last verse should have cemented the DIVINE flow of what the Word of God is teaching in Spirit.

Here are many verses that opposes any expression of 'anger' in any form. With the consequences of expressing anger shown :

• promotes folly.
• subject to judgment.... subject to the fire of hell.
• repay evil with evil or insult with insult,
• for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

However, KNOWING that mankind will justify about anything in their carnal minds by purposely twisting and misinterpreting the Word of God, to fit their own wickedness and perversions, that are themselves promoted in the worldly arenas of religions and politics.

What does your Spirit from God, tell you !?!

Are you PROVOKE in Spirit or angered in flesh !?!

Be blessed in DISCERNING this truth

 

[Falconn007]

Why be angry at poor people and people who are not white?

It is an exclusionary ideology, promoted by all worldly religions and politics of mankind's carnal minds.

A manipulation, in the same manner when the religious elders incited the masses to yell for Jesus's crucifixion and the release of Barabbas.

"be angry at poor people" - Because the greed of wealth is much better. A delusion of the richman. A LIE they tell themselves to justify their own filth.

'be angry at people who are not white' - simple racist disguised and masquerading as angels of light. A division to distract from the monetary theft of their own nations and corporate corruptions. These evil people are implanted in many offices of higher authority, media ownership, local governing bodies, and municipalities.

They shall wax worst and worst. Having no chance at salvation and no advocator. God will deal with them, they are to be the forgotten.

 

[SomeDisciple]

With everything going on in the world right now, I am coming across a lot of social media showing people who say they're Christians expressing a lot of anger, hatred and negativity towards people who are poor or who are not white.

I'm guessing this is an algorithm thing; because I definitely am not seeing the same thing... I can hardly imagine people sitting around all like "Man, I'm so sick of these non-white poor people ruining my life!". Definitely sounds weird.

 

[NightTwister]

Social media does only one thing promote the sensationalism, to increase their shareholders profits. They are wolves(beast) in sheep's clothing and they will be dealt with, the hardest part of this is not indulging in their judgment to come but for the Faithful too remain steadfast in their Spiritual growth.

ANGER is not the solution, it is a delusional lie to carnal think/believe you have a right to be angry.

Bare witness in their disappointment/disapproval, as this witness bounds how they have offended against Christian Faithful values, to which they all must answer too, this witness-bound to them in the Heavens. This witness will not be favorable to any one of them who falsely called themselves 'christians' but are instead the seed of the evil devil. This is a commandment from God and Jesus.

There is no confrontation command but turn your other cheek and let God deal with them.

Shake the dust from your feet at them and move on.

I use to give out empathy for every tragic event that happened in the world, but now I ask God to have mercy on them, for only God knows what kind of relationship all those victims had/have with God Spirit.

I saw on the news a man give a free boat ride to a mother and her two daughters, only to later rape all three and drown all of them.

I saw on the news about the floods in Kerville, Texas, that killed over one hundred people, May God have mercy n them.

I saw on TV parents grieving for their daughters lost in the floods at a camp that was known not to follow safety flood protocols, May God have mercy on them.

I saw on the news, a man who killed his entire family so that he could continue his adulteress affair, May God have mercy on them.

I saw on TV a college woman who was killed by her one of her countless sugar daddies and burned to hide the evidence, May God have mercy on them.

Indeed "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from all evils".

This website is technically "social media."

 

[Falconn007]

This website is technically "social media."

Not knowingly you just prove my point!!!

I am not going into spiritual detail, so here is AI rendered explanation :

No, a website is not the same as social media; they are distinct digital presences with different functions. A website is a unique, self-owned platform where you have full control over content and design, serving as a central hub for your brand. Social media refers to third-party platforms (like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) that are used for interaction, and while your presence there is vital, you are subject to the platform's rules and algorithms.

 

[NightTwister]

Not knowingly you just prove my point!!!

I am not going into spiritual detail, so here is AI rendered explanation :

No, a website is not the same as social media; they are distinct digital presences with different functions. A website is a unique, self-owned platform where you have full control over content and design, serving as a central hub for your brand. Social media refers to third-party platforms (like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) that are used for interaction, and while your presence there is vital, you are subject to the platform's rules and algorithms.

A distinction without a difference. You are subject to the rules of this site.

 

[Falconn007]

And the wolf pack appears....

 

[gb9]

Why be angry at poor people and people who are not white?

so, how do you know who is poor and not white?

 

[Levib]

With everything going on in the world right now, I am coming across a lot of social media showing people who say they're Christians expressing a lot of anger, hatred and negativity towards people who are poor or who are not white. I know we are told in the Bible to confront our Brothers and sisters in Christ who are doing wrong. We are told to confront them wisely and with love. However I am having trouble knowing how to gently show others that this is wrong. How are we supposed to react to or handle others that are doing this?

It’s a lie, don’t believe it.

 

[Sischristal]

so, how do you know who is poor and not white?

Because the people in the media reels say that they are against the poor and those that are not white.

 

[Levib]

Because the people in the media reels say that they are against the poor and those that are not white.

Turn the tv off, go outside and talk to a real person. You will find out it is a lie.

 

[gb9]

Turn the tv off, go outside and talk to a real person. You will find out it is a lie.

that is great advice!!

 

[blueluna5]

Why be angry at poor people and people who are not white?

Bc half of my paycheck goes to taxes to "help" them. It has nothing to do with skin color.

Really it's the government that's the problem. I work with a lot of "poor" people and believe me middle class is actually the poor. Every once in a while there are real poor. But they go on Disney trips and buy their kids iPhones and Xbox or whatever is ridiculously expensive. I can't even afford what they give.

I will help real poor people... Like giving food and clothes for kids. But they have no bills. Housing, food, healthcare, etc is free for many of them! They work under the table or trade their food stamps for cash. They have an economic system with it. I don't blame them bc the system is messed up on their end as well bc they're not allowed to make more money or they lose free things.

People, especially Christians are ridiculously naive on so many things. I see it all the time so I understand it. If they are actually struggling drugs are involved... Even then they'll drive better cars than I could.

Personally I don't care much about the money anymore bc we make so much more now. Time equals money so money is taken from you they're taking a piece of your life. I had my babies and only made half my money on short term disability for 2 months then nothing for 2 months and they were still taking money out even when I started working! Welfare you have a baby? Instant raise. Formula is free as well.

The system is rigged against the middle class. We went from lower middle to upper middle and it's a day and night difference. I still try to keep to 100 dollars a week for food for a 4 person family. Lol food stamps.... They get 2000 a month sometimes. I use to watch them but 100 dollars of candy with food stamps. So no it's very unfair.

 

[Howdy]

With everything going on in the world right now, I am coming across a lot of social media showing people who say they're Christians expressing a lot of anger, hatred and negativity towards people who are poor or who are not white. I know we are told in the Bible to confront our Brothers and sisters in Christ who are doing wrong. We are told to confront them wisely and with love. However I am having trouble knowing how to gently show others that this is wrong. How are we supposed to react to or handle others that are doing this?

Just because a person says he is a Christian does not make it so.
Those you are speaking of probable are not really saved.
Most Christian boards have a lot of unsaved people posting on them.