"What’s the one Bible command that wrecked you—in the best possible way?"

stevevw said:

I think the 2nd commandment lol. Thats a hard one. It always brings me back to earth. Which sort of relates to loving your enermies, turning the other cheek and especially sacrificing self for others.

It captures all the verses that are about obedience, servitude, suffering for good, and reproving yourself in how you treat others.

I think its one of the most powerful reminders and self checks not just for Chjristians but for human behaviour. Its a fundemental principle of psychology that forgiving and treating others as yourself is a powerful way to overcome yourself.

But unlike therapies it is spiritual so its transofrmative in nature. Its not just a cognitive therapy that retrains the mind to adhere to a theraputic way of life. It transforms the persons very core spiritually which eminates to all parts of the person.

Whenever I am feeling frustrated or getting upset with my fellow humans this powerful commandment brings me back down to earth. Or rather back up to heaven lol.

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I agree that God’s command to love our neighbour has long been part of society’s unwritten code—even for non-believers.

In society I have noticed more and more a creeping coldness of heart—even among Christians at times. A friendly glance can draw an angry “What are you looking at?” and holding a door often earns no more than a blank stare—no nod, no thanks. Road-rage bursts at traffic lights, loud parties that keep exhausted neighbours awake, casual rudeness toward over-worked wait-staff, checkout workers, and anyone already stretched thin—these small daily cruelties add up. The second great command that once felt like common courtesy (even from non-believers) has been swapped for what Jesus warned: “Many will grow cold” (Matt 24:12).

So the command—laid down by God and embodied by Christ—remains the fountain from which every kindness must flow. It is the practical extension of loving God above all with mind, heart, and soul. Which makes me ask: why does God specifically tell us to love Him with all our minds? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

P.S. Life in Tokyo: respect and care for others are still the norm—apartment blocks of hundreds (even a thousand) residents stay dead silent at night, trains run without loud music or shouting. Not a Christian nation, yet the second commandment’s ethos is on daily display. Sadly, I can’t say the same for NZ nowadays (my home land)—the drift is clear to see.

Thanks, everyone, for the honest snapshots—both wounds and wonders.
A few posts have pushed the thread off the original trail; if anyone still wants to share a command that freed them, feel free—otherwise I’ll let it rest. Grace to all.

Robban said:

Do you know who brought the realization to my attention, it was the late .Rabbi Sir Johnathan Sachs.

I was reading an article written by him where he wote that many say, Bibel, Law, Torah, commandments but it is not,

it is instructions. And I was like, yeah thought something was off somewhere.

Though it is common to say Commandments, Bibel, Torah, Law for it is just so,

But it gives a friendly and personal touch to say, instructions. For me at any rate.

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Robban, I hear you and I value that friendly, personal touch—calling them “instructions” keeps the tone warm and welcoming. I appreciate your voice on this. Have a wonderful day/night.

linux.poet said:

A traumatic childhood, a bad forum website (not this one), two good forums incompetently run (also not this one), and so on. Everywhere I go, I peel back the layers of lies, corruption, problems, and issues. The first round was peeling out my dad’s lies and exposing his deeds of darkness. It is this rejection of evil that broke my mind for awhile as I kept going. I couldn’t go along with what other people were doing, and that led to avoiding a lot of wasted time and bad relationships that could have eaten up my life.

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linux.poet, I hear you—peeling back those layers of lies and hidden deeds is exhausting work, but it carves out space for truth to breathe. My own childhood carried a different brand of darkness: a father whose rage filled the house. Watching you refuse to pass on any form of darkness is courage in action. Your line “it is this rejection of evil that broke my mind for a while” rings true—saying no can feel like shattering yourself, yet that very break becomes the doorway for Christ to rebuild. Keep shining the torch; your steadfastness teaches awareness and discernment birthed from hard years. There seems to be a connection between difficult upbringings and discernment—pain can sharpen the senses. Thank you for being a voice that names what must be named—your labour on the forums is seen and deeply appreciated.