Do people ever try to take advantage of your good nature?

bèlla

❤️
Supporter
Jan 16, 2019
20,480
17,639
USA
✟933,190.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
In Relationship
I’m firm but polite. I set clear boundaries, decline when necessary, and exercise discretion in my connections. Oftentimes when people are in a position to take advantage of us we’ve allowed them to get too close. Sometimes we’re deceived but in many cases they’ve shown their true colors. But we ignored the warning.
 
Upvote 0

crossnote

Berean
Supporter
May 16, 2010
2,903
1,593
So. Cal.
✟250,151.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Romans 12:18-21 NASBS
[18] If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. [19] Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. [20] "But IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ChicanaRose
Upvote 0

ChicanaRose

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2019
1,250
1,331
west coast
✟75,698.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
And how do you handle it?

In love. Is it love to enable them to keep taking advantage of people? Don't open opportunities for them to keep practicing error and harm the health of their own souls.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bcs90
Upvote 0

coffee4u

Well-Known Member
Dec 11, 2018
5,005
2,817
Australia
✟157,641.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Age. I use to be a doormat saying yes to everything but these days 'no' and 'no thanks' slips ever so easily off the tongue lol. I still like to help, helping others was always my gift, and I still generally like helping, but I no longer get taken advantage of. I guess these days I am not scared of offending people, so for me being taken advantage of was connected to a fear of offending. Don't make a fear of offending be the reason why you do something. Also realize if this is a particular person who keeps taking advantage of you, that by helping them you may actually be enabling and weakening them. So look over what happens when you help and after you help. Did you generally help them or did you simply enable them to carry on in bad behaviour, bad habits? It's also possible to help too much if it causes detriment in your own life or with other relationships.
 
Upvote 0

ChicanaRose

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2019
1,250
1,331
west coast
✟75,698.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
So look over what happens when you help and after you help. Did you generally help them or did you simply enable them to carry on in bad behaviour, bad habits?

Oh man! Your avatar made me want to grab another cup of coffee (In fact, I'm going to make one now, LOL).

And btw, great advice!
 
  • Like
Reactions: coffee4u
Upvote 0

Eha

Active Member
Jan 6, 2020
130
41
51
Tallinn
✟30,373.00
Country
Estonia
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
And how do you handle it? In the bible it says a lot about "turning the other cheek"but surely God wants his people to be strong and not any form of slave or pushover to man especially non-believers?
it was hard to me.
but after years of discussing over it with God, He told me once

"hitting back" give evil man justification to hes past and future evil deeds
"loving your enemies" seeds hope for change and repentance


(forgive my bad english)
but this is motivation for me.

P.S. injustice is another thing - our God is not tolerant with wrongdoings or evil - so we must be like Him. It means if we see someone else suffering from injustice - like robbery, bad behavior and so on...

Isaiah 58.
 
Upvote 0

carp614

Active Member
Apr 21, 2016
321
329
47
Home
✟29,620.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I don't know. I'm sure I am periodically taken advantage of. But it has not been anything so abusive that I have felt strongly it should come to an end.

I don't give or help in hope of a direct reward anymore. I will do whatever I can not because God loves me but because God loves you. Full stop. That frees me to give without having to grade the receiving party's gratitude. How they handle the blessing is irrelevant to me because the point of the blessing is to let them know that God loves them.

That's not to say that I would enable someone or be manipulated. I have learned a lot from doing things this way.
 
  • Useful
Reactions: ChicanaRose
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums