What you know, what you believe and what you think. How do you avoid the hamster wheel of arguments

[Riverwalker]

We've all seen hamsters at the wheel  furiously spinning. furiously in a panic and going no where. Sometimes our "discussions"  can be like that. Because there are many things we believe, or think that we can't quite authenticate in scripture.

What you know - is what God tells us in His word.  If it is plainly stated in the word, then you KNOW its true (if you accept the entire bible as the word of God...which is another hamster wheel argument)

What you believe - What God has revealed to you in scripture. This you have an absolute certainty about, but because it required the Holy Spirit to open it up to you, it is not always something you can easily demonstrate to others.

What you think - Impressions you have gained in your own mind while reading the word. Valuable to you, but useless for others (analogous to speaking in tongues in congregation with no interpretation....but that's another hamster wheel isn't it)

Now there are times in the bible (most notably end times subjects) where God has told us that certain things will happen, but not when and not always how.  Rapture comes to mind.  And since God has seen fit to give us the impression of the occurrence but not the details, is there any real reason to argue it.  We all have our thoughts and opinions on these subject but if there is no hard authority to settle the issue,  the discussions end up going round and round  and no where.

I am not saying its not important to discuss these things, it is very important. But when you take a dogmatic stance on a subject that is not established dogmatically well....spin spin spin again

 

Edited February 23, 2021 by Riverwalker

[Alive]

The most healthy of attitudes is to approach a discussion with the attitude that you or I may not be entirely correct in our understanding---that there is room to learn and or refine what we believe.

Then when others project their own thoughts backed by well rendered scripture, we take some time to consider and examine it.

Often times there is a knee jerk reaction. This can be due to many things. Lack of knowledge of scripture, immaturity or high tower beliefs that we have erected as a fortress.

Even when we are convinced that the Lord has taught us a thing, we could be wrong or that what we are taught fits within a context that can be expanded beyond what we currently see and experience.

Some that wish to teach, should not. This is difficult in a forum environment.

Iron sharpens iron, when we are willing, humble and open. The mark of a more mature saint is one that knows of a certainty, that the more he thinks he learns--the more he realizes how much more there is to learn. Our understanding can be true, but incomplete.

Its important to understand these things, so that our interactions are more profitable.

The Lord is actively at work in each one of us. Trust that. Believe that.

One of the greatest blessings in the life and walk of a believer is to be taken down a notch. When that happens--that is the Lord. Its His doing for you and I.

All things work toward good.......it is within that economy, that we live.

Singularly beautiful it is.

[Riverwalker]

5 minutes ago, Alive said:

The most healthy of attitudes is to approach a discussion with the attitude that you or I may not be entirely correct in our understanding---that there is room to learn and or refine what we believe.

Then when others project their own thoughts backed by well rendered scripture, we take some time to consider and examine it.

Often times there is a knee jerk reaction. This can be due to many things. Lack of knowledge of scripture, immaturity or high tower beliefs that we have erected as a fortress.

Even when we are convinced that the Lord has taught us a thing, we could be wrong or that what we are taught fits within a context that can be expanded beyond what we currently see and experience.

Some that wish to teach, should not. This is difficult in a forum environment.

Iron sharpens iron, when we are willing, humble and open. The mark of a more mature saint is one that knows of a certainty, that the more he thinks he learns--the more he realizes how much more there is to learn. Our understanding can be true, but incomplete.

Its important to understand these things, so that our interactions are more profitable.

The Lord is actively at work in each one of us. Trust that. Believe that.

One of the greatest blessings in the life and walk of a believer is to be taken down a notch. When that happens--that is the Lord. Its His doing for you and I.

All things work toward good.......it is within that economy, that we live.

Singularly beautiful it is.

All very well said

Being humble, so simple a concept . sometimes so hard to do  

[Marathoner]

4 minutes ago, Alive said:

One of the greatest blessings in the life and walk of a believer is to be taken down a notch. When that happens--that is the Lord. Its His doing for you and I.

All things work toward good.......it is within that economy, that we live.

Singularly beautiful it is.

A wonderful post and I bear witness to it all. 

[missmuffet]

1 hour ago, Riverwalker said:

We've all seen hamsters at the wheel  furiously spinning. furiously in a panic and going no where. Sometimes our "discussions"  can be like that. Because there are many things we believe, or think that we can't quite authenticate in scripture.

What you know - is what God tells us in His word.  If it is plainly stated in the word, then you KNOW its true (if you accept the entire bible as the word of God...which is another hamster wheel argument)

What you believe - What God has revealed to you in scripture. This you have an absolute certainty about, but because it required the Holy Spirit to open it up to you, it is not always something you can easily demonstrate to others.

What you think - Impressions you have gained in your own mind while reading the word. Valuable to you, but useless for others (analogous to speaking in tongues in congregation with no interpretation....but that's another hamster wheel isn't it)

Now there are times in the bible (most notably end times subjects) where God has told us that certain things will happen, but not when and not always how.  Rapture comes to mind.  And since God has seen fit to give us the impression of the occurrence but not the details, is there any real reason to argue it.  We all have our thoughts and opinions on these subject but if there is no hard authority to settle the issue,  the discussions end up going round and round  and no where.

I am not saying its not important to discuss these things, it is very important. But when you take a dogmatic stance on a subject that is not established dogmatically well....spin spin spin again

 

The best way to approach a topic is the literal truth of God's Word in the Holy Bible. A person should know God's Word so well that they can detect a counterfeit when they see it. Many have been brain washed to false doctrine and they will usually not be moved from their false teachings. Many give God's Word their own meaning and go out of context. 

[Riverwalker]

3 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

The best way to approach a topic is the literal truth of God's Word in the Holy Bible. A person should know God's Word so well that they can detect a counterfeit when they see it. Many have been brain washed to false doctrine and they will usually not be moved from their false teachings. Many give God's Word their own meaning and go out of context. 

Good point.  They used to stress in bible college that government agents don't learn to spot counterfeit  money  by studying  counterfeits, but rather become so deeply accustomed to the real thing, that anytime they saw a fake, they would spot it right away!

Edited February 23, 2021 by Riverwalker

[missmuffet]

2 minutes ago, Riverwalker said:

Good point.  They used to stress in bible college that government agents don't learn to spot counterfeit  money  by studying  counterfeits, but rather become so deeply accustomed to the real thing, that anytime they saw a fake, they would spot it right away!

Is that like the saying "keep your friends close and your enemies closer?"

[OneLight]

I am learning that the best way for me is when I see that hamster wheel starting to spin, I just jump off and walk away.  Speak the truth in love, then let God do with it as He wishes.  It's not up to me to convince anyone of anything, just to speak the truth.  That job belongs to the Holy Spirit.  Once the truth is spoken, then I'm basically done, unless a question is asked to me. 

[Marathoner]

1 hour ago, Alive said:

The most healthy of attitudes is to approach a discussion with the attitude that you or I may not be entirely correct in our understanding---that there is room to learn and or refine what we believe.

Then when others project their own thoughts backed by well rendered scripture, we take some time to consider and examine it.

Often times there is a knee jerk reaction. This can be due to many things. Lack of knowledge of scripture, immaturity or high tower beliefs that we have erected as a fortress.

Even when we are convinced that the Lord has taught us a thing, we could be wrong or that what we are taught fits within a context that can be expanded beyond what we currently see and experience.

Some that wish to teach, should not. This is difficult in a forum environment.

Iron sharpens iron, when we are willing, humble and open. The mark of a more mature saint is one that knows of a certainty, that the more he thinks he learns--the more he realizes how much more there is to learn. Our understanding can be true, but incomplete.

Its important to understand these things, so that our interactions are more profitable.

The Lord is actively at work in each one of us. Trust that. Believe that.

One of the greatest blessings in the life and walk of a believer is to be taken down a notch. When that happens--that is the Lord. Its His doing for you and I.

All things work toward good.......it is within that economy, that we live.

Singularly beautiful it is.

Amen! What a blessing it is to be brought low by the Lord. We may then praise the Lord and proclaim,

It is good for me that I was afflicted,
So that I may learn Your statutes.
The Law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
(Psalm 119:71-72 NASB)