When to speak and when to be silent and when to take a vacation

[Riverwalker]

I do not have to tell anyone here that there are some doctrines held by people that are devisive, strife causing and unresolvable. We have seen posts go on for hundreds of reply and achieve nothing

I am of two minds on how to respond to them

1. stay out of the mud pit because all you are going to do is get dirty. AKA Stay out of the discussion as there is little gain and much to lose

2. Make your input because  (assuming) it needs to be heard and included in the conversation. But even in these situations I rarely stay around for the ensuing arguments

So what are your thoughts on getting involved in these kind of questions and debates that never seem to end, that no one's mind is changed and the debate can easily become "uncharitable"?

 

[Dennis1209]

58 minutes ago, Riverwalker said:

I do not have to tell anyone here that there are some doctrines held by people that are devisive, strife causing and unresolvable. We have seen posts go on for hundreds of reply and achieve nothing

I am of two minds on how to respond to them

1. stay out of the mud pit because all you are going to do is get dirty. AKA Stay out of the discussion as there is little gain and much to lose

2. Make your input because  (assuming) it needs to be heard and included in the conversation. But even in these situations I rarely stay around for the ensuing arguments

So what are your thoughts on getting involved in these kind of questions and debates that never seem to end, that no one's mind is changed and the debate can easily become "uncharitable"?

 

Hello Riverwalker,

Is this something new and unique? For centuries, it has gone on with the best theological minds, scholars, Bible students, and laypeople. There was even some strife on doctrine between Peter and Paul in Acts.

As we are all aware, doctrines and hermeneutics have fractured the One true church into denominations and sub-denominations.

Achieve nothing? A debate causes us to listen and consider another person’s perspective and thoughts, exchanging ideas and understandings. I have changed a few of my preconceived thoughts by debating and quizzing others. It causes us to delve deeper into God’s word, various scholarly commentaries, and research our present understandings and beliefs.

True, some of these discussions can and have got heated and personal. Sometimes, the content and tone of my delivery using a keyboard do not come across as I intended and are perceived the wrong way. I always remember I am talking to a literal family member in Christ. We are not perfect and sometimes error in our manners or get perturbed.

There is only One know it all, Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Not me]

1 hour ago, Riverwalker said:

I do not have to tell anyone here that there are some doctrines held by people that are devisive, strife causing and unresolvable. We have seen posts go on for hundreds of reply and achieve nothing

I am of two minds on how to respond to them

1. stay out of the mud pit because all you are going to do is get dirty. AKA Stay out of the discussion as there is little gain and much to lose

2. Make your input because  (assuming) it needs to be heard and included in the conversation. But even in these situations I rarely stay around for the ensuing arguments

So what are your thoughts on getting involved in these kind of questions and debates that never seem to end, that no one's mind is changed and the debate can easily become "uncharitable"?

 

Hi, my thoughts would be, go with what the peace of Christ in your heart is telling you… If it says speak, speak, not worrying about the outcome, trusting the truth that Gamaliel put forth;

‘If it be of God, it shall stand, it not, it will come to naught…’ 

Be blessed in your relationship with our Lord…

 

A fellow believer, Not me 

[walla299]

2 hours ago, Riverwalker said:

I do not have to tell anyone here that there are some doctrines held by people that are devisive, strife causing and unresolvable. We have seen posts go on for hundreds of reply and achieve nothing

I am of two minds on how to respond to them

1. stay out of the mud pit because all you are going to do is get dirty. AKA Stay out of the discussion as there is little gain and much to lose

2. Make your input because  (assuming) it needs to be heard and included in the conversation. But even in these situations I rarely stay around for the ensuing arguments

So what are your thoughts on getting involved in these kind of questions and debates that never seem to end, that no one's mind is changed and the debate can easily become "uncharitable"?

 

I usually don't bother with the "endless arguments" over non-salvation issues. It only sows division and other problems. So:

1. Speak on it if you feel led to do so by the Spirit then walk away before the mud flies, or

2. Don't bother because no one's mind is going to be changed anyway.

That's my take on it, anyway.

[AnOrangeCat]

I tend to either stay out of them entirely or say my piece and then leave. These are things that have been debated since early Christianity, sometimes since the times of the apostles. That's a powerful indicator of how divisive they can be.

[walla299]

I forgot to add a third important principal to my list:

3. How to know when you've stayed too long:

The person who just questioned your salvation over (insert endless argument here) just blew themselves out of the water and there's no longer any sense in continuing the discussion. There is little likelihood of them changing their mind at this point. It is therefore long past time to leave.

 

[Ray12614]

I hear ya riverwalker. I almost left Worthy for the same reasons you outlined.

I suppose it depends on 'why' we come to Worthy. Is it to prove something doctrinally? That may have its place for those desiring that kind of thing. Is it to prove ones 'spiritual advantage' over others who they might see as 'less' than they are? That has no place in a Christian forum anywhere. Is why we come to Worthy to develop friendships in Christ (my reason for joining)? IF we look hard enough there are some sweet brothers and sisters in Christ here, you just have to look around a little while, realizing that not all members can get online daily, have some patience . .  .

A couple things have helped me: 1. I realize that people are crazy. 2. I know that 'I' too am a people. LOL.

Also: I realized that I don't have to have the 'last word' on any subject. And that people don't have to agree with me to be my friend.

Realizing the above has removed much of the aggravation from reading through some of the posts . . . 

Ray . . . 

 

[JohnR7]

We are told to trust in God and lean not on our own understanding. We will not fully know until we get to heaven.

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13 12)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3 5,6)

[Marathoner]

I keep the following in mind.

• Our own conduct is our concern: we are responsible for ourselves.
• Our own conduct toward others is also our concern: we are responsible toward others.
• Our own conduct, therefore, is not dictated by others. 
• No one has to agree with us.
• We don't need to have the last word.
• It's good to say (or write) nothing. "Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent." (Proverbs 17:18 NASB)
• Avoid needless argumentation; it profits no one.
• The Lord doesn't require our hands to steady the Ark. 

It's enough to speak for ourselves, and unseemly to speak for others. Do not put words in your brother's mouth (false witness). 

We treat brethren and our neighbor as we wish to be treated ourselves. Remember the royal law.  
 

[missmuffet]

On 3/3/2022 at 1:04 PM, Riverwalker said:

I do not have to tell anyone here that there are some doctrines held by people that are devisive, strife causing and unresolvable. We have seen posts go on for hundreds of reply and achieve nothing

I am of two minds on how to respond to them

1. stay out of the mud pit because all you are going to do is get dirty. AKA Stay out of the discussion as there is little gain and much to lose

2. Make your input because  (assuming) it needs to be heard and included in the conversation. But even in these situations I rarely stay around for the ensuing arguments

So what are your thoughts on getting involved in these kind of questions and debates that never seem to end, that no one's mind is changed and the debate can easily become "uncharitable"?

 

If you can't answer appropriately and in a christian manner then don't answer at all. 

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Proverbs 12:18

 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

 

Edited March 5, 2022 by missmuffet