Do Christians spend too much time being negative?

The Unforgettable Fire

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For a very long time this is a phenomena I have noticed in certain Christian circles.

I think it almost becomes a self fulfilling prophecy many times. People obsesses over something to such an extent and consequentially it is what is always on their mind. It is also always a moving target. There is always something desperately wrong and you need to fix it.

I remember having experiences with God growing up in church and then it was like someone threw a wet blanket over me. I was supposed to feel bad. There was always something bad going to happen, judgment, or something I was supposed to feel bad about. There were a long list of do not's and I don't think I ever completely lived up to them.

I know there are people who talk trash about anyone and everyone and the guy I am about to mention has been some people's favorite to pick on, that said, Joel Osteen is someone I enjoy listening to. It is just nice to hear someone who reaffirms you and is positive about you, about God and about life.

What do you think? Could we all learn a lesson in being a bit more positive from people like Joel?
 
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dysert

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For a very long time this is a phenomena I have noticed in certain Christian circles.

I think it almost becomes a self fulfilling prophecy many times. People obsesses over something to such an extent and consequentially it is what is always on their mind. It is also always a moving target. There is always something desperately wrong and you need to fix it.

I remember having experiences with God growing up in church and then it was like someone threw a wet blanket over me. I was supposed to feel bad. There was always something bad going to happen, judgment, or something I was supposed to feel bad about. There were a long list of do not's and I don't think I ever completely lived up to them.

I know there are people who talk trash about anyone and everyone and the guy I am about to mention has been some people's favorite to pick on, that said, Joel Osteen is someone I enjoy listening to. It is just nice to hear someone go reaffirms you and is positive about you, about God and about life.

What do you think?
I think that, like almost everything, there needs to be a balance. On the one hand, we should recognize that we fall short of God's standard so that we will trust Him to cleanse us, and so we'll appreciate what He did for us. On the other hand, we are His children and are blessed to be granted eternal life. Emphasizing either end of the spectrum isn't healthy. Finding the balance is key.
 
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Spiritlight

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Hi friend.

There was always something bad going to happen, judgment, or something I was supposed to feel bad about. There were a long list of do not's and I don't think I ever completely lived up to them.

I think you are right about the excess bad feeling. sometimes I wonder if at times at some churches they make up a couple of extra things to feel guilty about the lord didn't really intend and the excess burden of guilt leads to negativity.

Cheer up and have a good day. :)
 
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hopeinGod

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Even Solomon wrote that there is a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. I believe these days are a time to refrain from embracing all of those ridiculous components of excess and extremism we have all seen at work within the movements of these days.
 
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Spiritlight

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Even Solomon wrote that there is a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. I believe these days are a time to refrain from embracing all of those ridiculous components of excess and extremism we have all seen at work within the movements of these days.
I think a lot of good men Of God in the bible went for a walk in the wilderness, prayed and smelled the flowers. Maybe they were smart enough to ignore negativity and embrace good (simple) things while we have them.
 
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The Unforgettable Fire

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Well in Galatians it says the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

I just don't see these things coming from being negative about things. Negativity drains you. If we have something transcendingly good to be positive about (and we Christians sure should have that) then it stands to reason that a generally positive disposition goes hand in hand with the truth of God.
 
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lismore

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I don't think Christians should be positive or negative, they should be truthful.

There are definitely some overly negative Christians out there, there are definitely some overly positive Christians out there.

Positivism without truth is more 'negative' in the long run than negativity.

Better to steer close to the encouragement the scriptures give in any situation.

John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
 
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weathered

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Interesting, i seem to have negative feelings about things on and off, they come and go. I worry that i talk too much, or that i should not have an opinion, that maybe i should be quiet. This is based from what i read in scripture though, no preacher lead me into this. I think there is good to be had from this, it can lead me to be a better Christian, yet i cant help but wonder if i am not overly neagitive at times. Maybe a chemical imbalence or demonic oppression of some kind. I just dont know. :)

Maybe i just need time to grow from the experience and then i'll get over it, im not sure.
 
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Optimax

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A person that is not born again (natural man) is ruled by fear.

When a person is born again they are still ruled by fear if they do not renew their mind as Rom 12 instructs us.

Because fear is "in abundance" in their heart(innermost being).

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Jesus said so.

When fear is what is in the "heart", the negative comes out the mouth.


:)
 
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weathered

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A person that is not born again (natural man) is ruled by fear.

When a person is born again they are still ruled by fear if they do not renew their mind as Rom 12 instructs us.

Because fear is "in abundance" in their heart(innermost being).

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Jesus said so.

When fear is what is in the "heart", the negative comes out the mouth.


:)

Not sure if you are referring to me or the OP. As for myself though its hard to say. It comes and goes. It could be a lot of things. And if fear motivates me to do good i dont see how that is negative anyway.
 
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Optimax

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Not sure if you are referring to me or the OP. As for myself though its hard to say. It comes and goes. It could be a lot of things. And if fear motivates me to do good i dont see how that is negative anyway.

Sorry, did not specify.

The post is to the OP. :)
 
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JimB

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For a very long time this is a phenomena I have noticed in certain Christian circles.

I think it almost becomes a self fulfilling prophecy many times. People obsesses over something to such an extent and consequentially it is what is always on their mind. It is also always a moving target. There is always something desperately wrong and you need to fix it.

I remember having experiences with God growing up in church and then it was like someone threw a wet blanket over me. I was supposed to feel bad. There was always something bad going to happen, judgment, or something I was supposed to feel bad about. There were a long list of do not's and I don't think I ever completely lived up to them.

I know there are people who talk trash about anyone and everyone and the guy I am about to mention has been some people's favorite to pick on, that said, Joel Osteen is someone I enjoy listening to. It is just nice to hear someone who reaffirms you and is positive about you, about God and about life.

What do you think? Could we all learn a lesson in being a bit more positive from people like Joel?
There are two extremes I have encountered among Christians: those who are pathologically negative (defeatists) and those who are pollyanna positive (triumphalists). Both are false approaches to life. We have to face reality, not as we fear it is or hope it is, but as it actually is. IMO. :)
 
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