Politics and Fellowship

[Whyme]

What is your opinion of politics and fellowship? Do you like to argue? I do but its not from the Spirit but the devil. It brings up all kinds of negative stuff and seems to quench the Spirit within me. I know some will say they have no problems like that but lets be honest, do you actually get joy from arguing or from humble, gentle, meek fellowship in the Spirit? I guess i do get joy from arguing. I like to see my side win. But that's not joy from the Spirit is it? No, its devilish perhaps? There is a war within and we must choose who to follow. We must choose to follow either Devilish wisdom or Gods wisdom.

Anyway, i gave up politics for some years because i knew that arguing over worldly things was wrong. I also didn't like how i felt all the time, and inside i know its wrong so my conscience bothered me. The biggest thing however was love. How do i, as a republican, love democrats? I don't mean mans love but God's love. Love that is truly selfless, humble, meek, gentle and serves others? I knew i couldn't actually be that way and argue worldly politics at the same time. So i gave up politics so i could love democrats. Does that sound wrong?

But then enter Trump. I saw how he was really making America great again, and i love America. The man actually accomplished a lot of good for this country, but alas politics dont give credit where credit is due, it only gives credit to its own side. I saw how Trump was mistreated by democrats and the media. I saw what i consider to be partisan hypocrisy and bigotry. So i gave up on my quest to love liberals and i hailed Trump. I still like Trump, even though hes not perfect, but i have a higher calling do i not?

Perhaps politics can be discussed in a spiritual manner? Perhaps politics are just worldly, a trap set for our feet that causes us to stumble, i.e. a stumbling block? Are worldly concerns even spiritual? Many questions. I look forward to a discussion in fellowship, in the Spirit with others. Please forgive me, and don't blame me for my like of Trump and what i said about hypocrisy. I dont want to stumble or cause another to stumble, im just being honest and i pour out my heart in this matter for the sake of Truth in the inwards parts of myself, and for fellowship in the Spirit.. Please, if you like, feel free to share what you think of Republicans and i will pray and try not to be offended. And please dont be offended by me. Im looking for wisdom from my brothers and sisters. Thank you.

 

Edited April 14, 2021 by Whyme

[missmuffet]

I usually do not like to debate politics. It gets too heated. 

[Starise]

Politics in general seem to foster contention. Not that we can't have civil discussions. Try the Politics thread. 

[Marathoner]

6 hours ago, Whyme said:

What is your opinion of politics and fellowship? Do you like to argue? I do but its not from the Spirit but the devil. It brings up all kinds of negative stuff and seems to quench the Spirit within me. I know some will say they have no problems like that but lets be honest, do you actually get joy from arguing or from humble, gentle, meek fellowship in the Spirit? I guess i do get joy from arguing. I like to see my side win. But that's not joy from the Spirit is it? No, its devilish perhaps? There is a war within and we must choose who to follow. We must choose to follow either Devilish wisdom or Gods wisdom.

Anyway, i gave up politics for some years because i knew that arguing over worldly things was wrong. I also didn't like how i felt all the time, and inside i know its wrong so my conscience bothered me. The biggest thing however was love. How do i, as a republican, love democrats? I don't mean mans love but God's love. Love that is truly selfless, humble, meek, gentle and serves others? I knew i couldn't actually be that way and argue worldly politics at the same time. So i gave up politics so i could love democrats. Does that sound wrong?

But then enter Trump. I saw how he was really making America great again, and i love America. The man actually accomplished a lot of good for this country, but alas politics dont give credit where credit is due, it only gives credit to its own side. I saw how Trump was mistreated by democrats and the media. I saw what i consider to be partisan hypocrisy and bigotry. So i gave up on my quest to love liberals and i hailed Trump. I still like Trump, even though hes not perfect, but i have a higher calling do i not?

Perhaps politics can be discussed in a spiritual manner? Perhaps politics are just worldly, a trap set for our feet that causes us to stumble, i.e. a stumbling block? Are worldly concerns even spiritual? Many questions. I look forward to a discussion in fellowship, in the Spirit with others. Please forgive me, and don't blame me for my like of Trump and what i said about hypocrisy. I dont want to stumble or cause another to stumble, im just being honest and i pour out my heart in this matter for the sake of Truth in the inwards parts of myself, and for fellowship in the Spirit.. Please, if you like, feel free to share what you think of Republicans and i will pray and try not to be offended. And please dont be offended by me. Im looking for wisdom from my brothers and sisters. Thank you.

 

I know you've been struggling with this and your honesty is refreshing, @Whyme. There are times when it's good for an outsider to weigh in because the perspective of one embroiled in conflict is constrained and fettered, much like the blinders on a horse pulling the cart. 

That's the essence of man's politics. It's a conflict, factions vying against other factions for supremacy and control. Politics are indeed worldly by their nature and as such represent worldly concerns. We see the fruit of this conflict among brethren, dividing brothers and sisters and pitting one against the other. The fruit of politics is what we ought to examine for as the Lord said, we shall know a tree by its fruit.  

It's an evil tree.

I've witnessed much evil during my days under the sun. Haven't we all? I never fostered an interest in politics and political matters, keeping well away from that theater of the absurd. I studied human history and saw how the brutal tyrant was deposed by the glorious revolution, only to replaced by a ruthless despot; lies and playing games with truth are the stock and trade of the statesman. Little wonder because the accuser and his minions weakened the nations, my friend. 

I encourage you to flee from it all. You're presently afflicted with clarity of vision and this is the revelation of the Lord. I was afflicted in a similar way when His Spirit convicted me of contentiousness because I was swift to argue with my brother. I was quick to speak, slow to listen, and resisted understanding every step of the way. 

I have faith that His Spirit will lead you through this to the glory of God, Whyme. He did something similar for me.    

Edited April 14, 2021 by Marathoner

[Riverwalker]

7 hours ago, Whyme said:

Perhaps politics can be discussed in a spiritual manner?

I think it can be discussed in its own forum and its own time, but not so much in fellowship. We have to consider everyone one in fellowship and why they are there.  A lot of people come to church for a refreshing and to recover getting beat up in daily life, and really are looking for a no drama zone. And we ALL know politics has a lot of drama.

[debrakay]

I have had trouble with "living in the world and not being a part of the world" sometimes.  It's hard for me to just sit by and watch as my fellow humans become more and more filled with lust, power, greed and selfishness and not become irate.  I try not to respond from my humanism but it's hard for me when someone attacks people I love or my beliefs.  To watch others destroy with their actions and words and stand idly by is hard for me.  I'm like a mama bear protecting her cubs. I am trying to chose my battles wisely more these days since there are sooooooooooo many battles going on in the world today.  

[Alive]

2 minutes ago, debrakay said:

I have had trouble with "living in the world and not being a part of the world" sometimes.  It's hard for me to just sit by and watch as my fellow humans become more and more filled with lust, power, greed and selfishness and not become irate.  I try not to respond from my humanism but it's hard for me when someone attacks people I love or my beliefs.  To watch others destroy with their actions and words and stand idly by is hard for me.  I'm like a mama bear protecting her cubs. I am trying to chose my battles wisely more these days since there are sooooooooooo many battles going on in the world today.  

If you didn't react--you wouldn't be human.

We are made in His image---God reacts and will react toward evil.

[Riverwalker]

8 minutes ago, debrakay said:

  I'm like a mama bear protecting her cubs

Never forget You are not alone in this fight

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

[Whyme]

3 hours ago, Starise said:

Politics in general seem to foster contention. Not that we can't have civil discussions. Try the Politics thread. 

I didnt want to post in the politics thread because this is more of a spiritual matter. 

[Whyme]

2 hours ago, Marathoner said:

I know you've been struggling with this and your honesty is refreshing, @Whyme. There are times when it's good for an outsider to weigh in because the perspective of one embroiled in conflict is constrained and fettered, much like the blinders on a horse pulling the cart. 

That's the essence of man's politics. It's a conflict, factions vying against other factions for supremacy and control. Politics are indeed worldly by their nature and as such represent worldly concerns. We see the fruit of this conflict among brethren, dividing brothers and sisters and pitting one against the other. The fruit of politics is what we ought to examine for as the Lord said, we shall know a tree by its fruit.  

It's an evil tree.

I've witnessed much evil during my days under the sun. Haven't we all? I never fostered an interest in politics and political matters, keeping well away from that theater of the absurd. I studied human history and saw how the brutal tyrant was deposed by the glorious revolution, only to replaced by a ruthless despot; lies and playing games with truth are the stock and trade of the statesman. Little wonder because the accuser and his minions weakened the nations, my friend. 

I encourage you to flee from it all. You're presently afflicted with clarity of vision and this is the revelation of the Lord. I was afflicted in a similar way when His Spirit convicted me of contentiousness because I was swift to argue with my brother. I was quick to speak, slow to listen, and resisted understanding every step of the way. 

I have faith that His Spirit will lead you through this to the glory of God, Whyme. He did something similar for me.    

Amen thank you.