As Christians

Aren’t we supposed to stand out from the world?

My point is...why do so many on here start slinging dirt at those who disagree with some of their teachings?

No way am I perfect...but I was even accused of being a troll because I agreed with another member,where is the sisterly/ brotherly love in that........

It does get very personal on here at times...I actually wonder if I’m amongst brothers and sisters in Christ.

Your perception is sadly accurate. I sincerely believe that most of the contributors here are actually Christians. However, it also seems that many, at least among those who are regulars in the Bible Discussion Forum (BDF), take a worldly approach to discussion and disagreement.

There are other parts of this site that are far less contentious. It might be worthwhile to hang out in those places for a while instead of the battleground of the BDF.

There are some threads here that are basically echo chambers. If you want to go against the view in those, be mentally prepared to be attacked.

Discussing in Internet forums are like that, the anonymous nature of it facilitates such behavior

The Lord loves us even though the most saintly among us sees darkly, and is not capable of seeing God clearly. Yet the Lord leaves us free to make all our own choices, it does not affect his love for us.

When we accept the cleansing of our sin through Christ, we accept the ways of Christ. I wish we could all accept this way of God.

But even with God, although our sin does not stop His love for us, but it does affect our communication with Him. If we prefer sinful ways opposed to God's ways we are told that God does not know us. Some of the scoldings of our sin in scripture get pretty strong. We are told, though, that God has a right to judge but people don't. They are only to judge what is sin and what isn't.

The three of you who have posted...very well said and have taken your advice on board.

Sin certainly affected my relationship with God.....I never want to go back to that place again....

If you read about some communities in the past, say Geneva under Calvin, you’ll read much worse.

But I agree.

Good to keep in mind. Some theologies only want those who agree to post.

If I agree, is it bad?

Im not sure about bad but it’s true.

Have no idea which Thread you are speaking of, and not sure what you define as "slinging dirt."

That said, disagreeing with someone concerning what they are putting forth as Biblical, when one knows that what they are putting forth is not Biblical, should be done IMO. It can and should be done respectfully if possible, however, there are times when the person presenting false teachings really IS a troll, and in that instance, respect isn't high on the list of things to consider.

Jesus dealt with such as them with three words................ :GET THEE HENCE!"

works for me

Yes, we are supposed to stand out in the world [Matthew 5:16]...just not in the way that most are doing it. We are to let out light shine for the sole purpose of sharing good works and GLORIFYING God. We need to ask ourselves: "is what I am saying glorifying God?" I am not to judge, but seeing how some Christians portray themselves to the world and within the body [ex. the forums] breaks my heart sometimes. We are all subject to sin and are going to slip up sometimes when discussing issues we feel passionately about, but we need to ask the Lord for guidance and a renewed heart.

I am a new member here, but have spent a good amount of my time familiarizing myself with the different boards and the conversations happening. One moment I feel so blessed that we are all able to have such healthy and edifying discussion, the next I just feel saddened by the harshness of some words. We should all feel free and able to express our side of a doctrinal matter and not be afraid of backlash and disrespect. We can all disagree, and still maintain informative conversation. Pretty much every time fellowship is mentioned in Scripture it is spoken of in the context of "encouraging," "edifying," and "building up" [1 Thess. 5:1, Hebrews 10:25]. Fellowship was never ever meant to be a fight, an argument or a chance to prove someone wrong and boast about your thoughts and ways.

We should be here to teach, to learn, to understand, and to encourage. I have prayed many times, since joining here, that these threads will be uplifted in Godly love and teaching. I am not saying this about every thread or the forum in general, because I believe [again] that it is a BLESSING that we all can come here each and every day and fellowship with likeminded people. Sometimes, I think people take that for granted... It really is one of those things where people should ask themselves, "Would Jesus be saying this? Is this something that Christ Himself would say and be content with sharing?" Before I press "post reply," I always read through and pray over it.

Remember, "Is Christ divided?" [1 Cor. 1:13]

God bless!

the problem is, there is spiritual warfare going on here, and divide and conquer is satans motto. This is why such things as prosperity theology etc exist, to confuse, divide and conquer. Its working of course. And you can tell those that don't have the Holy Spirit by what comes from here keyboards. This is why I have avoided organised religion for sometime now, and rely on scripture and the Holy Spirit to guide me.

Well said...I completely agree....

I was separated from organized religion for a long time but not by choice. I didn’t speak their language. When I returned I was shocked at the narcissist songs and sermons. I count it now a blessing to have avoided that.

I think it’s more tribal, to gang up against the odd detractor, and to receive likes from those of that same tribe as they do the same, releases dopamine in brains.

Some think it has to do with tribes "corrupted flesh and blood". ( dopamine in brain) But according to the golden measure of faith we understand that tribes are used a gates to the City of Christ. Its residents prepared as His bride where renamed Christian by our father in heaven. A befitting name to represent "all the nations". Previously named her born again Israel (inward Jew born of the Spirit of Christ.) Not a befitting name for all the nations.

She takes on a different kind of "glow" being in the presence of God. (clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars)

Hi, good testimony, welcome to the family. .

I think God has designed denominations so that we do not kill each other. We have a future living hope that works in us. Unlike natural mankind. The pagan foundation shown by Cain. "Out of sight out of mind" plowed Abel under the first prophet, apostle and martyr .

Sparks to understand fly when seeking His approval. a person can always return to their home church or move to another that might be more in agreement with ones own private interpretation . We all have one and are on a learning curve. .

1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

heresy is a sect of people a denomination, part of a nation or a family. whenever two or three gather under the power of his authority he working in them with them . The church a sign to the world as a representative glory .Not to themselves

In that way having the Armor of God we can be protected from those who say we do need a man to teach us (antichrists) .

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Denying the grace, doing despite to it is shown by those who do it openly in false pride .Others more subtle.

What they call the Queen of heaven, Mary. That strange woman "the spirit of error" (Did God say you will not die?) alone receives the fullness grace.

Everyone else gets a unknown remnant of grace. And must continue to surfer even after death for a unknown amount of time. The faithless Jew had the same kind of Queen of heaven a oral tradition of corrupted mankind..

I think in that way we compare His tradition (faith) as it is written. . . to His tradition. It is the damming power of counterfeit traditions. The power that works in us.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

The loving commandment is know no man after the flesh we walk by faith .

Unfortunately there are some Christians nowadays do not consider each other as brothers and sisters even though we all are. Its the same to say that not every christian likes going to church, that is a big problem nowadays.

We know the world likes to fight with each other, and to exalt themselves above each other.

Parents and children fight, husbands and wives, nations, ethnic groups, Republican and Democrat, some communities fight with each other and have rival gangs, and people in general fight with each other.

The world is based on self exaltation.

At the start of the NBA they have hope and say we could take the championship this year, and if they win they rejoice and say out of all the different teams that competed we are the winners, we are number one.

That is the attitude of some people that claim Christianity that they think out of all the different denominations we have the truth, we are the winners, we are number one.

For some have the Spirit but may at times be led of the flesh, so they might exalt themselves.

But some people have not received the Spirit so they are only led of the flesh, so they will exalt themselves.

2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

These people do not allow the Spirit to lead them by holding unto sin and believe they still have salvation, which God says turn away from them.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Jesus will address these people in the future.

Out of faith, hope, and charity, love in action, charity is the greatest.

Love is greater than faith, and faith works by love.

Paul said love does not think an evil thought, and does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.

If people slander other people, and cut them down having an exalting manner then that is not love.

But I have been sarcastic before on my posts but it is not right.

Some people will go back and forth with each other for months on the same thing.

Like a boxing match where they use jabs, and uppercuts, and right crosses, coming at them from different angles hoping to knock them out.

Arguments are like that as they come at them from different angles trying to get them to believe what they are saying to them.