The power of denial.

[Irish_Graham]

I was having a discussion about end time prophecy with a friend of time the other day, and that even up to the end when all the end time prophecy is coming to reality before our eyes, that some will still meet their death writhing in agony and denying the existence of God. It was baffling me how with all that is to come people will just not accelt the reality of God.

Again, in college I have gone ways to explaining to people that despite how forcefully it is forced on us, evolution is still a theory and that there are sveral unexplained holes it in which have never been bridged.

But then, I thought again to myself today, "Graham, why does it baffle you about how much people can go into denial when you used to do it so much yourself????" Brought a wry smile to my face when I thought back on when people used to use the exact same argument s and discussion techniques with me and I could pass them off as insane or anciently archaic, and leads me to empathise with the non-believer and re-evaluate my method of apologetic.

This is a strange thread, I have a few things on my mind today so bear with me. I got annoyed at myself today because I have been thinking back over my witnessing with my friends who are mainly non-believers, and I realised Ive probably done more harm than good. I am constantly bringing the subject of our Lord up with my friends and trying to get a discussion going, but I realised today on thinking back that if I switched the roles and was in their shoes, they would more than likely see me as a sharp tongued, short tempered goof who talks down to people. I dont mean to come across like this, but I can get short tempered when I hear people say mocking things about Christians to me and, when I should be the bigger man and show my maturity and be meek, I havent, Ive been quick to put them down, which does absolutely no good whatsoever.

Thats it. Im going to have a long prayer, pour it out and then when the next time this comes around, take the proper approach and be a witness, but also be as Im meant to be as a follower of Christ, slow to speak, slow to anger and wise in words, not sharp tongued and aggressive.

Anyway, just wanted to tell some fellow believers. Even in telling you all this, Jesus is who matters, I know this, Im not looking for approval off anyone, Id just like to know if anyone here knows the feeling of looking back on your actions and kicking yourself at what you've done.

[Bolts]

Yeah. There are a lot of things that I would do differently. But whose to say that my different approach wouldn't get the same response anyway However, I've decided it would have been better for me to just drop a seed or two into a persons spirit and let the Lord do the rest. I seek the Lord for a 'word in season'. Something that will speak directly into a persons situation. Then there is the dilema of whether the word came from the Lord or if it was my own desire - but to me it is worth the risk, as long as the word is confirmed first

[Guest Museed]

The thing about denial is that is founded on pride, which is the original sin. Once we understand the sin of pride in all it's parameters, you come to understand denial. Humbleness is the antonym of pride, you cannot come to humbleness without destroying pride. The heart decives us because we don't understand it, even tough it resides in us. That is why we must always watch out most dangerous enemy, ourselves. Repentance is humbleness, it destroys pride, then forgiveness heals the wounds that pride left behing, the scars stay there in order to remind us that as long as we are flesh, we will still have to fight that which we left behind.

[Fiosh]

The thing about denial is that is founded on pride, which is the original sin. Once we understand the sin of pride in all it's parameters, you come to understand denial. Humbleness is the antonym of pride, you cannot come to humbleness without destroying pride. The heart decives us because we don't understand it, even tough it resides in us. That is why we must always watch out most dangerous enemy, ourselves. Repentance is humbleness, it destroys pride, then forgiveness heals the wounds that pride left behing, the scars stay there in order to remind us that as long as we are flesh, we will still have to fight that which we left behind.

There is much truth in what you say, Museed.

[Fiosh]

I was having a discussion about end time prophecy with a friend of time the other day, and that even up to the end when all the end time prophecy is coming to reality before our eyes, that some will still meet their death writhing in agony and denying the existence of God. It was baffling me how with all that is to come people will just not accelt the reality of God.

Again, in college I have gone ways to explaining to people that despite how forcefully it is forced on us, evolution is still a theory and that there are sveral unexplained holes it in which have never been bridged.

But then, I thought again to myself today, "Graham, why does it baffle you about how much people can go into denial when you used to do it so much yourself????" Brought a wry smile to my face when I thought back on when people used to use the exact same argument s and discussion techniques with me and I could pass them off as insane or anciently archaic, and leads me to empathise with the non-believer and re-evaluate my method of apologetic.

This is a strange thread, I have a few things on my mind today so bear with me. I got annoyed at myself today because I have been thinking back over my witnessing with my friends who are mainly non-believers, and I realised Ive probably done more harm than good. I am constantly bringing the subject of our Lord up with my friends and trying to get a discussion going, but I realised today on thinking back that if I switched the roles and was in their shoes, they would more than likely see me as a sharp tongued, short tempered goof who talks down to people. I dont mean to come across like this, but I can get short tempered when I hear people say mocking things about Christians to me and, when I should be the bigger man and show my maturity and be meek, I havent, Ive been quick to put them down, which does absolutely no good whatsoever.

Thats it. Im going to have a long prayer, pour it out and then when the next time this comes around, take the proper approach and be a witness, but also be as Im meant to be as a follower of Christ, slow to speak, slow to anger and wise in words, not sharp tongued and aggressive.

Anyway, just wanted to tell some fellow believers. Even in telling you all this, Jesus is who matters, I know this, Im not looking for approval off anyone, Id just like to know if anyone here knows the feeling of looking back on your actions and kicking yourself at what you've done.

Well, not exactly, Graham. The times I usually feel like kicking myself are when I should have said something, but did not.....those missed opportunities. Although I am getting better at being bold for Christ, there was a time when I must admit that I was "ashamed of the Gospel". Not consciously. But, at some point in my life I realized that I was too timid about sharing my faith. I didn't want people to think I was a geek, I guess. I thought those folks who stood on the street corner handing out tracts and trying to talk to you about Jesus were a little freaky-----guess who is one of those freaks now?

Don't be too hard on yourself; at least you speak your truth. All I can suggest is that you pray everyday for the Holy Spirit to give you opportunities to share the Gospel; and that He guide you and give you the words to say.

As for the rest, sounds like you've already got a plan.................BE Jesus to them.

Love,

Fiosh

[InternalFlame]

I was having a discussion about end time prophecy with a friend of time the other day, and that even up to the end when all the end time prophecy is coming to reality before our eyes, that some will still meet their death writhing in agony and denying the existence of God. It was baffling me how with all that is to come people will just not accelt the reality of God.

Again, in college I have gone ways to explaining to people that despite how forcefully it is forced on us, evolution is still a theory and that there are sveral unexplained holes it in which have never been bridged.

But then, I thought again to myself today, "Graham, why does it baffle you about how much people can go into denial when you used to do it so much yourself????" Brought a wry smile to my face when I thought back on when people used to use the exact same argument s and discussion techniques with me and I could pass them off as insane or anciently archaic, and leads me to empathise with the non-believer and re-evaluate my method of apologetic.

This is a strange thread, I have a few things on my mind today so bear with me. I got annoyed at myself today because I have been thinking back over my witnessing with my friends who are mainly non-believers, and I realised Ive probably done more harm than good. I am constantly bringing the subject of our Lord up with my friends and trying to get a discussion going, but I realised today on thinking back that if I switched the roles and was in their shoes, they would more than likely see me as a sharp tongued, short tempered goof who talks down to people. I dont mean to come across like this, but I can get short tempered when I hear people say mocking things about Christians to me and, when I should be the bigger man and show my maturity and be meek, I havent, Ive been quick to put them down, which does absolutely no good whatsoever.

Thats it. Im going to have a long prayer, pour it out and then when the next time this comes around, take the proper approach and be a witness, but also be as Im meant to be as a follower of Christ, slow to speak, slow to anger and wise in words, not sharp tongued and aggressive.

Anyway, just wanted to tell some fellow believers. Even in telling you all this, Jesus is who matters, I know this, Im not looking for approval off anyone, Id just like to know if anyone here knows the feeling of looking back on your actions and kicking yourself at what you've done.

I quite agree with you. A lot of people make the mistake of trying to 'force' their religion on others, and then wonder why they recoil. In the Bible, it says one of the best ways to witness is to simply live a good Christian life around them - so they can see what you are doing, and see that it is good for you, and wonder if they could have that too. I take the gentle approach - instead of totally put down their ideas, I simply give them my standpoint as a Christian, and accept their standpoint as logical. Just because they are wrong, doesn't mean they are stupid to have come to that conclusion, they are simply blind. Blindness can be healed. There was this one fellow I was talking to on the chat several times and he told me how often people would come on and just judge him when he said he was agnostic, and of course how that would only make him feel bitterly towards Christians. I had an honest discussion with him, I told him to ask me any questions he may have about the Bible and Christianity, and I answered each one in a way that made sense to him, and also wasn't being forced on him at the same time. When he told me his standpoint I didn't say "oh you are just dumb" I said "I can see how you got to a conclusion like that" and in a gentle, nonobtrusive way told him why I thought that standpoint may be a little off. It was simply me putting in my input, and not condemning him for his beleifs, and he knew that. Because he wasn't all on guard from being attacked, he probably heard a lot more of what I said. he in fact told me that if he were to start to beleive that it would be from a Christian who could talk as I did, and not one who came on all "fire and brimstone"

Now I am still not one to talk, becuase I have done the "fire and brimstone" witnessing before, and I am healing from that. I just thought I would share with you what I thought was an effective way to witness. You need to understand the person, and appeal to their intelligent side. Becuase they are not Christian, it is hard for them to understand faith, so we can't expect them to understand "Just beleive in God because God is good". While we understand it becuase we are getting to know God, they do not know. So, to logically explain why the Bible makes sense would have more effect....and reading the Bible would lead them to then understand faith.

[InternalFlame]

I was having a discussion about end time prophecy with a friend of time the other day, and that even up to the end when all the end time prophecy is coming to reality before our eyes, that some will still meet their death writhing in agony and denying the existence of God. It was baffling me how with all that is to come people will just not accelt the reality of God.

Again, in college I have gone ways to explaining to people that despite how forcefully it is forced on us, evolution is still a theory and that there are sveral unexplained holes it in which have never been bridged.

But then, I thought again to myself today, "Graham, why does it baffle you about how much people can go into denial when you used to do it so much yourself????" Brought a wry smile to my face when I thought back on when people used to use the exact same argument s and discussion techniques with me and I could pass them off as insane or anciently archaic, and leads me to empathise with the non-believer and re-evaluate my method of apologetic.

This is a strange thread, I have a few things on my mind today so bear with me. I got annoyed at myself today because I have been thinking back over my witnessing with my friends who are mainly non-believers, and I realised Ive probably done more harm than good. I am constantly bringing the subject of our Lord up with my friends and trying to get a discussion going, but I realised today on thinking back that if I switched the roles and was in their shoes, they would more than likely see me as a sharp tongued, short tempered goof who talks down to people. I dont mean to come across like this, but I can get short tempered when I hear people say mocking things about Christians to me and, when I should be the bigger man and show my maturity and be meek, I havent, Ive been quick to put them down, which does absolutely no good whatsoever.

Thats it. Im going to have a long prayer, pour it out and then when the next time this comes around, take the proper approach and be a witness, but also be as Im meant to be as a follower of Christ, slow to speak, slow to anger and wise in words, not sharp tongued and aggressive.

Anyway, just wanted to tell some fellow believers. Even in telling you all this, Jesus is who matters, I know this, Im not looking for approval off anyone, Id just like to know if anyone here knows the feeling of looking back on your actions and kicking yourself at what you've done.

I quite agree with you. A lot of people make the mistake of trying to 'force' their religion on others, and then wonder why they recoil. In the Bible, it says one of the best ways to witness is to simply live a good Christian life around them - so they can see what you are doing, and see that it is good for you, and wonder if they could have that too. I take the gentle approach - instead of totally put down their ideas, I simply give them my standpoint as a Christian, and accept their standpoint as logical. Just because they are wrong, doesn't mean they are stupid to have come to that conclusion, they are simply blind. Blindness can be healed. There was this one fellow I was talking to on the chat several times and he told me how often people would come on and just judge him when he said he was agnostic, and of course how that would only make him feel bitterly towards Christians. I had an honest discussion with him, I told him to ask me any questions he may have about the Bible and Christianity, and I answered each one in a way that made sense to him, and also wasn't being forced on him at the same time. When he told me his standpoint I didn't say "oh you are just dumb" I said "I can see how you got to a conclusion like that" and in a gentle, nonobtrusive way told him why I thought that standpoint may be a little off. It was simply me putting in my input, and not condemning him for his beleifs, and he knew that. Because he wasn't all on guard from being attacked, he probably heard a lot more of what I said. he in fact told me that if he were to start to beleive that it would be from a Christian who could talk as I did, and not one who came on all "fire and brimstone"

Now I am still not one to talk, becuase I have done the "fire and brimstone" witnessing before, and I am healing from that. I just thought I would share with you what I thought was an effective way to witness. You need to understand the person, and appeal to their intelligent side. Becuase they are not Christian, it is hard for them to understand faith, so we can't expect them to understand "Just beleive in God because God is good". While we understand it becuase we are getting to know God, they do not know. So, to logically explain why the Bible makes sense would have more effect....and reading the Bible would lead them to then understand faith.

oops, I also wanted to add that different ways of witnessing work better for different people. Because people are so unique, often a different approach is needed. The best way to witness to them is to get to know them, so you can choose the best way.

[Irish_Graham]

Thanks for the feedback folks, really good posts and some genuine heart there.

Fiosh, I know you said to me before you dont think what you're doing is brave, but I still disagree with you, what you are doing is incredibly brave in my eyes, casting off all constraints and prwaching out in the street, great stuff, keep it up!!

And Flame, thanks for the advise mate, Ive heard it before that the best way to spark interest is to live a holy life anf people will ask questions out of intrigue as to how you can be happy living like that, not my silly way of "no no no, this is how it is...." argument type rubbish.

Thanks guys,

Graham