Are You Wasting Your Time?

[smash_kate]

Sometimes I think those asking for advice here waste their time trying to find answers from other people when it is already answered by Christ.

Get yourself a nice holy book and look for Christ's answers which should be in red ink. Also some of your other questions are answered in other parts.

Lots of people here do not give you the right advice especially if they don't take what the bible said into account. I am worried.

Also, I feel that I am sinning when I read a lot of the posts in this and other forums because they deal with issues that I shouldn't be thinking about. That's why I'm not coming back to these forums and if I need help, I'm going to the bible or a bible teacher. I feel sometimes like these forums are anything but Christian.

 

[klewlis]

The Christian community is extremely important. The Bible itself states many times that we need each other--we are to teach, encourage, help, and pray for each other. This forum serves all of those purposes.

Definitely we need to measure everything by the Bible. But that doesn't mean we should cut ourselves off from each other's counsel, since God created us to live in community, not to be spiritual "lone rangers". This is why he established the church, the family, etc.

 

[smash_kate]

Of course we need each other as Christians..it's just that a lot of the questions people ask are serious questions and should only be answered by scripture. Lots of people's advice here are really wrong advice sometimes.

 

[klewlis]

Of course we need each other as Christians..it's just that a lot of the questions people ask are serious questions and should only be answered by scripture. Lots of people's advice here are really wrong advice sometimes.

wrong according to... you? the scripture? your interpretation of the scripture? the church's historical interpretation of the scripture?

the most serious questions are the ones which most need help with getting sorted out. yes the Bible answers those questions but some people need help with finding stuff in the Bible and understanding what it means. I find that in general, most of the people here give pretty good answers. There may be some that are wrong or misleading or unhealthy, but part of growing up is learning how to filter those things and discern what is true and what is not.

And of course, again as a community we do have room to grow, both for the people asking questions and for the people answering them. It's ok if someone's answer is not right on the mark, because that is part of learning too and we can nurture, protect and teach in all things.

 

[Donny_B]

I totally agree. Someone has said "most advice is worth exactly what it costs".
A lot of the advice given here shows a clear lack of proper Bible study. No advice can compare with that found in the pages of the Bible, particularly the words of Christ and the wisdom books, the Proverbs especially.

 

[klewlis]

I totally agree. Someone has said "most advice is worth exactly what it costs".
A lot of the advice given here shows a clear lack of proper Bible study. No advice can compare with that found in the pages of the Bible, particularly the words of Christ and the wisdom books, the Proverbs especially.

But how did you learn to read and understand the Bible? Wasn't it through other people explaining it to you?

We are all at different points in our growth and understanding, and we MUST help each other along. How many times does Paul tell us to encourage, exhort, teach, and pray for each other? We need to be gracious, even if we don't agree with the advice that someone gives--that is the opportunity for more teaching and learning and encouraging. Paul didn't command that only the scholars and pastors do the encouraging and teaching--he said that we are all to support each other in that. We have to be understanding of everyone's role in that. This includes encouraging people to dig into the Bible themselves and find answers--but it also includes using our own knowledge to help each other. Part of the process is allowing for mistakes, and learning how to deal with them wisely.

 

[Stanfi]

I think the counsel of brothers and sisters in Christ is a true blessing. God made us for each other, and we need each other to help us along. As with anytime we receive biblical advice, whether from these forums, a preacher or counselor we need to measure it up against God's word to make sure it is accurate.

Sometimes we just need someone to help point us in the right direction. I personally have learned a great deal from these forums.

 

[Starcradle]

I agree with all of the aforementioned posts.

Yes, the Christian community is imperative. The path we are to tread is narrow and difficult, hence we need one another's exhortations. However, a forum such as this, by its very nature, is an extremely limited resource. An individual who is seeking guidance in the midst of a serious spiritual struggle is best served speaking to a local pastor, being uplifted by brothers and sisters in person. Yes, I comprehend that under certain circumstances this is not possible at the time, yet one cannot continually derive their advice and companionship from an online message board. It is fine as an occasional resource and again, all counsel given here and elsewhere must be placed against the light of Scripture.

Also--donny b pointed out that "a lot of advice given here shows a lack of proper Bible study." This is absolutely correct. My heart is grieved (not only this, extremely angered) when those who call themselves brothers and sisters in the Lord encourage other brothers/sisters to continue engaging in an activity that is clearly unscriptural and so very damaging to them. Yes, of course there is room for growth, yet being a stumbling block to others is a very grave matter and therefore we who claim to follow the Lord and strive to live by Biblical standards have a great responsibility to those who come here asking questions, especially "infants" in the faith.There are many occasions in which I read a thread and do not offer advice because I simply do not possess sufficient Biblical information to do so, and offering counsel for a profound spiritual battle strictly from my own experience, from the perceptions of my own wicked heart, is exceedingly unwise and detrimental.

We can take for granted that there will always be those who will 1) Pose a question fully recognizing what Scripture states regarding it, yet are looking for any manner of justification to continue in their transgression from those who either do not take Scripture seriously, pick and choose what they shall adhere to from it, or have set up an elaborate system of rigorous mental gymnastics in order to interpret an abundantly clear passage for the express purpose of twisting it to suit their purposes; 2) Those who are simply too lazy to search for the answers to their spiritual dilemmas within the pages of Scripture...

Whatsoever the situation, we should always be encouraging those seeking help to study Scripture, to place our advice against the light of God's Word, to seek the Lord at all times and pray that, through His Holy Spirit, He would guide them in all truth.

 

[readthepalms]

i agree with klewlis and mr stace...i am not searching this site for advice as much as someone in christ to speak with...i am a 33 year old male and i have few fellow christians my age to speak with about christ, the bible, faith....i have this hunger for the word and fellowship...i read the word but i need discussion...i am hoping to find it here...at least find a few friends, fellow believers with whom to fellowship...to respond to the "bad Advice" portion...this is where we do need to turn to the Word...we need the ability to discern...i just foud this site last night and hope it will be a blessing and help my spiritual growth...along with talking with brothers and sisters...

God Bless

 

[Starcradle]

i agree with klewlis and mr stace...i am not searching this site for advice as much as someone in christ to speak with...

Welcome to the forum, readthepalms!

I am of a similar mindset. My predominant objective here is not to seek counsel, yet enjoy another form of Christian fellowship.

i am a 33 year old male and i have few fellow christians my age to speak with about christ, the bible, faith....i have this hunger for the word and fellowship...i read the word but i need discussion...

I can very much relate. I am currently in a womens' Bible study, yet I am a new participant and therefore have not yet grown close to any of the other students. For this reason I would love to discuss the Word with someone in my leisure time, and this method of communication is one of the ways I can accomplish it (although I've yet to find someone I can really discuss the Lord with.)


Alas, all in time.

 

[Donny_B]

wrong according to... you? the scripture? your interpretation of the scripture? the church's historical interpretation of the scripture?

For those who are seeking serious answers, we should not encourage confusion and wishy-washiness, as God is not the author of confusion (I Cor 14:33). Serious answers require extensive bible study, which we should encourage and not discourage.

I hope smash_kate does not leave the forums, because many here can use her insights, as they are very ignorant in the scriptures. But even smash-kate would agree that they should not take her insights at face value, but seek out the scriptures themselves.

The Bereans after being converted were considered more noble than the others, because they searched the scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

 

[Justin04]

For someone just getting saved or new to christianity I think this is the only way to find the answers most people are looking for. Because they lack understanging on how to understand what they are reading in scripture.

For example acts 2:21 anyone who calls on the name of the lord shall be saved.
mt 28:19 baptize in the name of the father son and holy spirit.
Ro 14:23 anything that is not faith is sin
acts 10:13 arise kill and eat
john10:29 no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand

Those verses most seasoned ministers of the same dinomentions cant totally agree on. So for somone who is just getting saved then their more then likley not going to come to the right understand on many spiritual and scripturual things. bwt I didnt quote the whole verses just the parts that people disagree on.

As for people who have been saved along time. I think its all part of the family of God and part of having a christian community. Some questions I see to imply a lack of biblical research and some answers also.

 

[Justin04]

I'll add this. kate,
I totally agree w/ the bases of your thoughts and everything you said. many people are just looking to ask questions so they dont have to go to the source christ. many people are learning not to go to the source by people giving them their answers. maybe God has a different answer for them in the area hes called them to.

Many of these questions would be better answered by someone spending time w/ the lord and his word. couldnt agree more there.

 

[brettnolan]

Also, I feel that I am sinning when I read a lot of the posts in this and other forums because they deal with issues that I shouldn't be thinking about. That's why I'm not coming back to these forums and if I need help, I'm going to the bible or a bible teacher. I feel sometimes like these forums are anything but Christian.

I don't get this part. "It's not what goes into the body..." Not only that, but these issues are obviously REAL for someone or they wouldn't be bringing them up. How are you sinning by "listening" to someone else's problems?

The rest I can understand...I don't necessarily agree, but I understand. I pick and choose the areas I visit based on my experiences there. I think most people visit some forums more regularly than others and then, just like any other community, certain viewpoints become more accepted. Someone else said something about people being too lazy to do their own Biblical research. I don't think that's fair at all. A LOT of people don't know where to begin...not everyone went to a Bible college or seminary...these forums have been a huge help to me in that way. For folks without training the Bible is a HUGE book and you can't just scan through it to reference the issue your currently dealing with.

In that respect, the forums are a nice place to find other people who are in the same situation you are in so perhaps you don't have to feel like you're the only one. I'm sure there are people who take what advice they find here as gospel (whether that be biblical or not) and then apply it to their lives. If they didn't come here, where do you suppose they might go instead? Most likely to some other friend or relative, and who's to say that their advice would be any better? Who's to say that the advice of a pastor or bible teacher would be any better for that matter? CF proves that there are many different interpretations of the same book. CF provides many different viewpoints of the same situations. Many members aren't afraid to provide Scripture, just ask.

 

[Starcradle]

Someone else said something about people being too lazy to do their own Biblical research. I don't think that's fair at all.

Please do not claim that I made such a broad generalization. I stated that there will always be those who indeed are too lazy to do their own Biblical studying (either before or after receiving advice), which is unfortunate. I did not make an all inclusive statement, neither did I say this was predominantly the case.

 

[Starcradle]

If they didn't come here, where do you suppose they might go instead?

What about their church? It is their function to exhort, instruct, and uplift the brethren, after all.

Most likely to some other friend or relative, and who's to say that their advice would be any better? Who's to say that the advice of a pastor or bible teacher would be any better for that matter?

I understand your position, yet there is a difference between seeking Biblical advice from a forum and seeking advice from a pastor/teacher who you know has studied and taught the Word for years...

 

[klewlis]

Kate, if you feel that spending time in these forums is truly hindering your spiritual growth, then by all means stop.

But please don't discount the huge value that it has for many people to learn, ask questions, and get support.

Starcradle:

What about their church? It is their function to exhort, instruct, and uplift the brethren, after all.

It is the local church's job, but it is also the universal church's job, and we are all a part of that.

I understand your position, yet there is a difference between seeking Biblical advice from a forum and seeking advice from a pastor/teacher who you know has studied and taught the Word for years...

There isn't necessarily a difference, since many of the people here have been studying and teaching the word for years also. I'm betting there are a number of pastors and teachers involved as well. I personally have a 4 year BA in Theology from one of Canada's best Bible Colleges. Not to mention the fact that local pastors may or may not actually be faithful students of the Word.

don't throw out the baby with the bathwater! Maturity involves learning how to discern truth from lies, not doing your best to shelter yourself from everything.

 

[Starcradle]

Starcradle:

It is the local church's job, but it is also the universal church's job, and we are all a part of that.

Had I suggested that individuals exclude this method of fellowship, the aforementioned point would apply to my statements. However, I never did so.

There isn't necessarily a difference, since many of the people here have been studying and teaching the word for years also.

I understand, yet they are more difficult to "pick out," if you will. At least in your own town, you can know if someone has been pastoring a church for a significant amount of time. Anyone here can claim to be pastors/teachers and it is difficult to verify, if not impossible. No one can deny that pulling off a deception in a forum is much easier than in real life. Yet that is another subject entirely.

Not to mention the fact that local pastors may or may not actually be faithful students of the Word.

Absolutely true, yet that can be said of anyone online or off. I never stated there is no chance involved, we live in a corrupt world. I am simply suggesting that this forum, as a sole resource for seeking advice, is insufficient. We all need flesh and blood people who can edify us, touch us; individuals we can phone, as you well know.

don't throw out the baby with the bathwater! Maturity involves learning how to discern truth from lies, not doing your best to shelter yourself from everything.

Again, I never proposed that individuals refrain from utilizing this outlet. In fact, I am encouraging them NOT to isolate themselves in proposing they get involved/seek counsel in a healthy, well balanced church instead of limiting themselves to comments in a forum.

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

I think the counsel of brothers and sisters in Christ is a true blessing. God made us for each other, and we need each other to help us along. As with anytime we receive biblical advice, whether from these forums, a preacher or counselor we need to measure it up against God's word to make sure it is accurate.

Sometimes we just need someone to help point us in the right direction. I personally have learned a great deal from these forums.

True that Stace.

I heard a quote somewhere "..your life may be the only Bible another that person ever reads..."

And I think it applies here to some extent. Personally, I like to hear other people's interpretations of the Bible. Over time, you start to recognize's who's got an understanding of the gospel, and which people need to buy a dog and name it "Clue" because that's the only way they'll ever get one.

But yeah, to each his (or her) own. If the forum gets between you and God, get rid of it.

 

[Starcradle]

Over time, you start to recognize's who's got an understanding of the gospel, and which people need to buy a dog and name it "Clue" because that's the only way they'll ever get one.

Very cute.