Do you try to Stop them???

[stacey c]

I voted yes, but there is conditions that I adhere too when counseling people. First I make sure what I am discerning is correct. Second, even though I may discern accurately, I pray in the Spirit to make sure I am the one to speak to that person. Third, I don't just approach them, I allow the Holy Ghost to open the door, I don't rush in myself! The one who posted about chistians who basicaly don't mind their own business, is correct. The "church" jumps in head first to confront those brothers and sisters to show them the error of their ways, all the while gossiping about them, judging them, and condemning them all in the name of "praying for our fellow christians". It's a shame that we kill our own wounded!!!!!! And the fourth thing I strictly adhere too, I don't speak about it to any other person. Let's stop the gossip!!!!!

[nebula]

Yes exactly. And, depending on the circumstances, show them that the Christianity they had been living under was one built upon guilt and judgement, and is not the way to follow Christ. He told us to, above all, love one another. If someone I loved and cared about or even just knew well fell away from Christ, I would love them, above all.

I guess to me, the poll sounded like "If they fall away do we throw the curved end of a cane around their neck and yank them back, then Bible thump them until they turn around?" And I don't like that at all. I do not want to be a bully Christian.

Gotcha -

The original wording threw me off, but I have to say I agree with you.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

Something else I probably should have added, but may take a different direction......does God hold us responsible for the falling away of a brother or sister that we could have prevented?

[Scarletprayers]

That's extremely old testament. Before the new covanent sealed by Jesus' death and ressurection. You can't possibly assume that we'd be forgiven our own sins but be held accountable for lives we could have saved but didn't. Those verses are taken so far out of context.

This is what i meant by a guilt driven Christianity in today's society. Scriptures like these are taken out of context and used as a scare tactic to witness. This is the scar on the beautiful face of our faith.

You have to take the Word in context. I know it speaks to our lives to this day, but there's still rhyme and reason to it. You can't just take any verse you want and use it and take any verse you dont want and discard it.

Wow ES, I actually agree with you on something, LOL!

[Scarletprayers]

That's extremely old testament. Before the new covanent sealed by Jesus' death and ressurection. You can't possibly assume that we'd be forgiven our own sins but be held accountable for lives we could have saved but didn't. Those verses are taken so far out of context.

This is what i meant by a guilt driven Christianity in today's society. Scriptures like these are taken out of context and used as a scare tactic to witness. This is the scar on the beautiful face of our faith.

You have to take the Word in context. I know it speaks to our lives to this day, but there's still rhyme and reason to it. You can't just take any verse you want and use it and take any verse you dont want and discard it.

Wow ES, I actually agree with you on something, LOL!

LoL I wasn't aware that we disagreed on something.

Well I'm old, my mind wanders..............thought there was something, maybe not!

[Guest]

Well I'm old, my mind wanders..............

Oh No! There's Another?

I Answered Yes

Prayer's The Ticket

Forever Loving The Brothers

Open Hearts With Zipped Mouths

Until God Opens Them Gently In Love

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 25:11

Love, Your Brother Joe

>>>>><<<<<

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21

[nebula]

There is a passage in Scripture about confronting the brother we see in sin.

But we need to remember that such confronting needs to be done in love (not judgment and condemnation) and with wisdom (consider how Nathan confronted David - that was pretty clever!).

[nebula]

That "pro" in front the phet aint there for nothing you know...

You know it took me a little while to figure out what you meant by this....

OK, I think I get ya!

[eric]

er-um, not to be picky, prophet is a word by itself. 'pro' in this instance is'nt a prefix. Well I think I'm right in saying that.

[Blien]

Better the reproof of a friend than the kisses of an enemy.

What friend (or parent either) in Christ if we do not help one another to walk rightly in Chris