The Devil's in the Details

[Steve_K]

It seems like unChristian, combative trolls have over run the chatter lately at a higher and higher rate.

While its true that as Christians we must share the Gospel with the lost, when does it become redundant and a circular argument? WE MUST WITNESS TO THE TRUTH, but, when do we shake the dust off our sandals and move on?

Last night, I was actually developing a headache and becoming stressed over the way things were going in the chat. We had an apparent troll that kept the chatter tied up for at least 2 hours (that I know of). Several people were attempting to witness to this guy and it was getting nowhere. He was still spewing his anti Christian bilge water. I finally got to the point where I typed out "Why don't you go back to the abyss LEGION?" To which he replied, "Since you're going to attack me Steve, I'm going to block you."

I did not attack him, nor would I. I was rebuking the demonic spirit that has him in its grasp. Besides, the demon that holds him was tested and proven to be diabolical. This man said he didn't know the Bible, and I never mentioned his name, but the demon knew "LEGION', because he spoke up about blocking me.

My point is, we need more prayer warriors for the gospel. People that are willing to say "Enough Satan!!" As a Christian, I could not stand by and allow the demonic hosts to drag the name of my Lord and Savior through the mud anymore. 

It isn't "unloving" to rebuke evil, I was actually thinking of this man's welfare. He needs Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Neighbor]

Interesting question Steve. When is enough enough? Guess it depends upon the situation, when does one leave a bar, a church, or a wife, or a friend, as compared to when does one stop listening and exchanging  with a stranger on a chat board? 

Two hours on a chat board would be too much for me with even my good pastor!

As for me, I suppose it is time to leave when I repeat myself, and realize I am repeating. Then it is time to move on. Though I doubt that I would call out "LEGION" long distance over a chat board. For I would not have a clue as to what that Legion of demons ( If I believed demons to be present) might then do to it's present host.

I do not believe every error, every affront, is  caused by an evil spirit. I do believe that all, of humanity, in the present state of fallen creation, are depraved, totally depraved, having little or no need to be influenced by demons in depravity. In depravity there is hatred of God that is the state of mankind. to tout the mercy and grace of jesus who is God  brings out that hatred, no demon needed for that. Only the holy Spirit may turn about that hatred and then  it is done at the call from God the Holy Spirit first, not by the plea of  any human "seeking" God. Depraved man does not seek God, instead all seek excuse and cover.

So what to do?  ( IMO) Share the gospel of Jesus regardless, as instructed by God. Allow God His perfect timing in all matters for he is sovereign over all matters and  is provident ( timely ) in His provision  of all things, including the hearing of  His word to  an unsaved world.

 

Two hours of chat? Speaking with fingers and hearing with eyes? Really? Okay, fellow saint, but wow that would be an adventure that would have me drinking and seeing demons to curse for sure.

 I sure admire your effort though!

Edited July 21, 2017 by Neighbor

[Jaydog1976]

1 hour ago, Steve_ said:

It seems like unChristian, combative trolls have over run the chatter lately at a higher and higher rate.

Chat tends to get that way. You can't let it bother you. Just block them and move on. I do one of two things with trolls, either I will call them out immediately and then block, or I will entertain them for a time because I am bored and have nothing else to do. In either case don't let them get to you. 

1 hour ago, Steve_ said:

While its true that as Christians we must share the Gospel with the lost, when does it become redundant and a circular argument? WE MUST WITNESS TO THE TRUTH, but, when do we shake the dust off our sandals and move on?

I tend to spend too much time in circles. However I also know when enough is enough. Once I feel that the gospel was presented I will discuss it a bit further then pretty much I leave the person alone. I will allow others to try and chat with them and I will leave chat altogether for a time. 

1 hour ago, Steve_ said:

Last night, I was actually developing a headache and becoming stressed over the way things were going in the chat. We had an apparent troll that kept the chatter tied up for at least 2 hours (that I know of). Several people were attempting to witness to this guy and it was getting nowhere. He was still spewing his anti Christian bilge water. I finally got to the point where I typed out "Why don't you go back to the abyss LEGION?" To which he replied, "Since you're going to attack me Steve, I'm going to block you."

Most anti-Christian talk is not demonic activity. We have to be careful that we don't think that every event is. Most times it is because people don't know the Lord and chose not to. Then they come into a christian chat either to stir up arguments (trolling) or they come in maybe looking for answers. Very few, that I have found anyway, really are there to learn anything. But the quote above probably wasn't the best response to give given the situation. But that is just my opinion. 

Just a side note, 2 hours in a chat is quite a bit of time. I can barely stand 10 to 15 minutes in chat unless the discussion is captivating. Most times chat is just a bunch of talk about food, entertainment and such. It really isn't the greatest medium to spread the gospel. But it can be done. I would encourge you and those in chat to find other things to do other than chat. I know it is difficult given your situation but there is so much to learn out there that chat should be a secondary item to being productive in learning and doing things. I personally watch how much I am in chat because chat can be an addictive process and I don't want to be checking chat every 5 seconds seeing what someone just said. 

1 hour ago, Steve_ said:

I did not attack him, nor would I. I was rebuking the demonic spirit that has him in its grasp. Besides, the demon that holds him was tested and proven to be diabolical. This man said he didn't know the Bible, and I never mentioned his name, but the demon knew "LEGION', because he spoke up about blocking me.

Again not a demonic instance. Those in my opinion are few and far between. 

1 hour ago, Steve_ said:

My point is, we need more prayer warriors for the gospel. People that are willing to say "Enough Satan!!" As a Christian, I could not stand by and allow the demonic hosts to drag the name of my Lord and Savior through the mud anymore. 

It isn't "unloving" to rebuke evil, I was actually thinking of this man's welfare. He needs Jesus.

We definitely need to be praying. Personally I don't rebuke Satan I try to flee from him. Big difference. I know Jesus had that authority to rebuke Satan but I am not sure that we do. Even the archangel Michael when fighting over the body of Moses did not rebuke Satan but said, "The Lord rebuke you!". But this is just my personal believe. I could be wrong but I haven't seen enough real evidence that we as finite human beings, even if we are saved, have the authority to rebuke Satan. We do have the ability to flee from him because he is a roaring lion looking to devour someone. Again my opinion because I have not really researched this topic in depth. So I am erring on the side of extreme caution.

[OldCoot]

On 7/21/2017 at 7:49 AM, Steve_ said:

It seems like unChristian, combative trolls have over run the chatter lately at a higher and higher rate.

While its true that as Christians we must share the Gospel with the lost, when does it become redundant and a circular argument? WE MUST WITNESS TO THE TRUTH, but, when do we shake the dust off our sandals and move on?

Last night, I was actually developing a headache and becoming stressed over the way things were going in the chat. We had an apparent troll that kept the chatter tied up for at least 2 hours (that I know of). Several people were attempting to witness to this guy and it was getting nowhere. He was still spewing his anti Christian bilge water. I finally got to the point where I typed out "Why don't you go back to the abyss LEGION?" To which he replied, "Since you're going to attack me Steve, I'm going to block you."

I did not attack him, nor would I. I was rebuking the demonic spirit that has him in its grasp. Besides, the demon that holds him was tested and proven to be diabolical. This man said he didn't know the Bible, and I never mentioned his name, but the demon knew "LEGION', because he spoke up about blocking me.

My point is, we need more prayer warriors for the gospel. People that are willing to say "Enough Satan!!" As a Christian, I could not stand by and allow the demonic hosts to drag the name of my Lord and Savior through the mud anymore. 

It isn't "unloving" to rebuke evil, I was actually thinking of this man's welfare. He needs Jesus.

 

Well, I see your point.  But really, once we have done the job of showing the truth of Messiah, we are essentially off the hook. It is the HS job to work on the person.  I try to only spend more time with those that will reasonably dialogue.  Sometimes even I get all caught up in trying to make the case.  I have to remind myself that most will not accept the gospel, many of those who do, not right out of the gate.  

[kwikphilly]

Blessings Steve....

    I can certainly understand ,it took me many many years to really understand "Kicking the dust from my sandals" .....here,it can be quite difficult without seeing a persons face.,the absence of their voice,tone,facial expression,body language.....here we must trust & depend on the Discernment of Holy Spirit much more than in person....here we do not even really know who we are talking to,if they have another tab open & they are playing Candy Crush,watching pornography,drunk or just passing time and playing games with us as they sit with a bunch of unbelieving friends,....males may be females etc....I would imagine its even harder in "Chat",they come & they go,anyone can come in and do not even have to be a Believer or have any minimum number of posts......I don't mean it in a bad way but to me it sounds basically like social media networking going on(whenever I have visited) & I do not see Christ Centerdness.....so you just do not know what you are going to get in a live chat room where anyone is welcome to come in    It moves much too fast for me,I do not type well enough to keep up

    Jesus said it plainly,if you are not Received(His Word).....move on to the next until you are well Received     The harvest is plentiful Steve,why waste time or energy with anyone who does not want what you offer?There are so many truky hungry & thirsty souls out there with few laborers,I for one will not cast pearls before swine ....And that does not mean they are not worth it or that they are not going to Receive  the Word of God eventually but plant your seeds & move on,perhaps someone else will come along & water them.it is not always our Assignment to make a Disciple but just to plant the seed(that particular person)     

    Just recently I experienced something very difficult to comprehend and it only n confirmed what I've always believed"Believe half of what you see & none of what you hear"........we walk by FAith Steve & not by sight,the ones we really believe are sincere turn out to be insincere & the ones we don't even realize are "getting it" are truly Receiving Gods Word.....this is a public place & I keep being reminded over & over "Gods Word Will NOT return void"    I was a bit disheartened & then quickly reminded by my Brother wing nut of Gods Word......so we are never "wasting" the Word of God on anyone here because someone else is likely Receiving what we thought was meant for someone else.......I hope this is making sense to you,I feel like I might be all over the place because of my personal issues right now,very similar......

   The most important thing is your question "When is enough enough,when is it time to go?"    We just draw NEARER to God in Christ,the same way we Receive the Words to speak by the Power of the Holy Spirit we must also learn how to hear His Still Small Voice that tells us.....Shhhhh      I don't think it is edifying or a good way to relate to an unbeliever (online)by speaking to his demons....he is unaware,deaf,blind ,ignorant & likely to be insulted ,making him even more unreceptive    I would say when they strike a nerve then it is your red flag to "Shhhh" & move on....that just my opinion    There is a time & place for everything & in everything orchestrated by God there is order,Wisdom,Understanding,Peace,Love,Kindness,Compassion and if we are not bearing His Good Fruits then it is time to leave ....AS I said,I just experienced something that could have potentially been a real distraction because it caught be completely off guard,I spent countless hours ministering and it turned it it was a total sham.....actually there were quite a few "signs" along the way that I ignored,lies,deception but I stayed because I suppose I wanted to believe  ......God is ALWAYS Guiding us,Leading,Directing,Revealing,we just aren't LISTENING all the time......                        Praying for you Brother,keep your eyes on the Prize,Gods Word Will NEVER return void                                                                                                              With Love-in Christ,Kwik