Should we stand up?

[Kelly]

I've been looking at the open forums, mainly the News and the GA forums. There is a definite battle between Christians and non-Christians over ever topic imaginable. There is little or no agreement and no side seems to sway from their original feelings on the matter. It feels mean spirited, pride filled and hate filled in those forums.

Then there is the 'real world' where people are fighting to keep 10 commandment monuments in court houses, right to life protests, etc etc. etc.

Is it Christian to argue and fight these fights? Did Jesus or the disciples tell us to stand up for every last right, to impose our beliefs on everyone? Did he tell us to argue with the "Pharisees" and non-believers?

Could the time we spend both in these forums and in the real world, arguing and protesting, be better spent? I'm having a real problem with this. I get drawn into arguements out there very easily and like to come to the defense of some of our brothers and sisters (sweetkitty, etc) who are on the 'front lines' of defending our faith in the forums - but I also feel that all of this is the wrong way. Anyone else feel this way? How does this bickering bring more people to Christ or show the world that we are Light in the darkness?

I am not taking a holier than thou stance on this. Do a search on the my posts and you'll see I go out there and bicker with the best of them. I just want to do what He wants me to.

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

The funny thing is, your question is probably going to be used as a launching pad for even more bickering and fighting about something trivial, then somebody is going to accuse somebody else of trolling, and finally everyone will just get POed with eachother, and instead of learning anything, they'll all just re-inforce the attitude of "I'm right, everyone else is an idiot".

 

[JMRE5150]

It can be healthy and just to defend your faith. Just never get so caught up in defending it, you put your own faith at risk...


Meanwhile, here are some Biblical passages to help your conscience out:



Jeremiah 22:16
"He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD



Jeremiah 50:34
"Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon."


Zechariah 9:8
"But I will defend my house against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch."


Luke 12:11
"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,"


Luke 21:14
"But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves."

2 Corinthians 12:19
"Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening."


Philippians 1:7
"It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me."


There is more if you need it...just say the word...and I'll get you more vereses to justify your heart.

 

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Kelly,

Is it Christian to argue and fight these fights? Did Jesus or the disciples tell us to stand up for every last right, to impose our beliefs on everyone? Did he tell us to argue with the "Pharisees" and non-believers?

If you are being bothered by some of the forays in this forum, then I would say the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you something. Please seek out God for the answer to this.

Some people like to fight for the sake of fighting - even Christians. In my many years now, I have found that that is foolishness. We should choose our battles carefully and NEVER, NEVER go where the Holy Spirit is NOT leading.

However, we are told to "fight the good fight". We are always to be prepared to "give an answer for the hope that is in us". We are to put on the FULL armor of God which includes a shield and a sword - the Word of God. BUT we are to do all our fighting in the "spirit of Love" (1 Cor 13). If this is not possible, then walk away. Save the fight for another day or let someone else carry on the battle. You are to be at peace, and when that peace is taken from you, you find yourself troubled as you are now.

So if you venture into an area in which you feel uncomfortable, pray for those involved, and walk away. Remember the Sons of Thunder. They wanted to call Hail, fire and brimstone down on a town that rejected themselves and Jesus. Jesus sharply rebuked them saying: "Ye know not of what spirit ye are." Always maintain a Christ like spirit in all your dealings and you will not go wrong.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie