Tact

[Jim B]

Tact is the ability to tell a man he has an open mind when he has a hole in his head.

I have always noticed a general lack of tact among more fundamentalist Christians whose only tool is a hammer and who see every obstacle as a nail.

In recent years, with a growing interest in the ministry of the prophet, some have used this "calling" as an excuse for rudeness. “Hey,” they will say, “I have a prophetic gift; I’m supposed to be confrontational.” Sometimes their definition for “confrontational” is my definition for (take your pick) hatefulness, rudeness, disrespect, arrogance, self-righteousness, spiritual pride, superiority … and the list goes on. I guess they see themselves as John the Baptist thundering in the wilderness or something. Unfortunately (for themselves and others), they are no J the B, and come across as angry and insufferable Christians.

Rudeness, even in a prophet, loses my ear … and my respect.

I would like to appeal to every Christian, especially those of us who deal with non-believers, to develop the art of tactfulness.

I would list scriptures to prove my point, but all you need is a topical dictionary of the Bible and look up references under “Kindness,” “Mercy,” “Love,” “Gentleness,” “Sympathy,” “Compassion,” Consideration,” “Kindheartedness” … etc.

Do we need more tact in our dealings with others?

Do we want to be heard?

\o/

 

[Svt4Him]

tact among Bible-thumping fundamentalist-type Christians whose only tool is a hammer and who see every obstacle as a nail.

Is this an example of a lack of tack?

Otherwise I agree. People think if they're being persecuted for being rude, it's a sign of God's blessing. I use to think common sense was common, but I don't see it anymore.

 

[Jim B]

Is this an example of a lack of tack?

Otherwise I agree. People think if they're being persecuted for being rude, it's a sign of God's blessing. I use to think common sense was common, but I don't see it anymore.

Ha!

You got me, S.

I'll edit that tactless statement.

Thanx.

Jim
\o/

 

[victoryword]

As much as I might disagree with Jim on some issues, I believe he always proves himself to be humble.

By the way, agreed with the majority of your post Jim B, except for that tactless portion that Svt4Him pointed out

 

[Svt4Him]

I am a fundamentalist Christian, although I sometimes think it means different things to different people.

 

[LynneClomina]

Is this an example of a lack of tack?

Otherwise I agree. People think if they're being persecuted for being rude, it's a sign of God's blessing. I use to think common sense was common, but I don't see it anymore.

i would say it was a lack of tact if he said "I have always noticed a general lack of tact among you more fundamentalist Christians whose only tool is a hammer and who see every obstacle as a nail."

but, as he was referring to a whole sector of christianity that he might very well belong to himself, i see it as a pointed comment and not insulting - just making ya think.

now, if he were OBVIOUSLY an EXTREMELY liberal christian who has a habit of coming against fundamentalists, then YES, it would be a lack of tact. ( him, somebody!)

JimB, you seem somewhat fundamentalist (ie. bible believing) to me!

 

[Andry]

I guess they see themselves as John the Baptist thundering in the wilderness or something. Unfortunately (for themselves and others), they are no J the B, and come across as angry and insufferable Christians.

Curious. So do you think John the Baptist was 'tactful'? I doubt very much some of his intended listeners (the Pharisees) viewed him as such. What are your thoughts?

 

[LynneClomina]

Curious. So do you think John the Baptist was 'tactful'? I doubt very much some of his intended listeners (the Pharisees) viewed him as such. What are your thoughts?

there is a time and a place for confrontation.

i think the issue here is tact in regards to discussion and debate.

 

[Jim B]

Curious. So do you think John the Baptist was 'tactful'? I doubt very much some of his intended listeners (the Pharisees) viewed him as such. What are your thoughts?

John was probably not as tactful as what I am advising. I would never advise saying "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” to anyone. But J the B was J the B, a unique individual with a unique calling. He was the ONE (and only) who was to make the path straight for the approaching Messiah. God used Him in a exclusive way.

I will never meet a J the B (except for the self-proclaimed ones). And, frankly, the lack of tack in modern prophets, and rude Christians, leaves people like me cold. They might as well have a megaphone up to my ear- I can’t hear them for their actions. I only hear sounding brass and tinkling cymbals.

\o/

 

[Andry]

John was probably not as tactful as what I am advising. I would never advise saying "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” to anyone. But J the B was J the B, a unique individual with a unique calling. He was the ONE (and only) who was to make the path straight for the approaching Messiah. God used Him in a exclusive way.

I will never meet a J the B (except for the self-proclaimed ones). And, frankly, the lack of tack in modern prophets, and rude Christians, leaves people like me cold. They might as well have a megaphone up to my ear- I can’t hear them for their actions. I only hear sounding brass and tinkling cymbals.

\o/

It's funny how we keep getting lost in the bushes.

I have tremendous, tremendous, repect for John the Baptist. I don't disagree with you he had a unique and exclusive calling. Yet (you knew that was coming didn't you?) how did he end up his minstry? Disillusioned, discouraged, in confinement, and ultimately beheaded. Would that be a fair assessment? Is that how we're supposed to end up in our ministry and faith?

Of those born among women, Jesus says, there is none greater than John the Baptist. Yet the least in the kingdom is what??

 

[Terri]

I probably would have never mentioned it if you hadn't started this thread, but I would say Jim that going into another forum and saying that the people in this forum are "hateful" shows a great lack of tact on your part.

 

[Jim B]

I probably would have never mentioned it if you hadn't started this thread, but I would say Jim that going into another forum and saying that the people in this forum are "hateful" shows a great lack of tact on your part.

I have found, and been the victim of, hatefulness in the above-mentioned forum. I have been called names, had my character and faith called into question, been judged, and ridiculed, and invited to stop posting. However, the post you have in mind (in another forum) was, if you will reread it, in defense of the forum that I have felt victimized on, it was not an attack on it.

Because I understand the defensiveness in some, I have chosen to overlook unkind (hateful) remarks and have learned that I can overcome my own natural caustic inclinations with just a little bit of grace.

I am trying, Terri. Maybe I'm not there yet. But I'm trying.

Thanks.

\o/

 

[Svt4Him]

Curious. So do you think John the Baptist was 'tactful'? I doubt very much some of his intended listeners (the Pharisees) viewed him as such. What are your thoughts?

Speaking to those who are wolves in sheeps clothing, and speaking to those who may have different doctrine are two different things. And because one is deceived, doesn't make them wolves.

 

[Trish1947]

It seems like we're right back to personality again. Just like we have our favorite ministers to listen too, and some you cant stand. Apparently, John the Baptist, might have lacked what we call tact, but are we sure thats what got him beheaded, and he should have went against his calling to save his neck? I think he was told exactly what to say, he was butting up a very evil society, and they we're told to repent. Yeah, its liable some day to get you killed, It did Jesus. I dont see them saving John the Baptists neck if he was oozing love for mankind out of his mouth. Jesus did that, and they killed him anyway.

 

[LynneClomina]

personality and tact....

hey, how about John Bevere???

ppl seem to either love him or hate him - because his style is so....frank.

 

[Andry]

Apparently, John the Baptist, might have lacked what we call tact, but are we sure thats what got him beheaded, and he should have went against his calling to save his neck? I think he was told exactly what to say, he was butting up a very evil society, and they we're told to repent.

Hi Trish,

I never implied it was tact or lack thereof that got him beheaded. Since JimB raised (not literally!) J the B, I wanted to discuss J the B further, thus the 'getting lost in the woods' comment to indicate we're getting off the OP.

But anyways, since you brought it up further, I think it was because he went against 'his calling' that cost him his neck. In fact, yes he was told exactly what to say, but he didn't do all that he said he would do. And I say this as reverently as possible, as I believe he was a remarkable man.

 

[Svt4Him]

personality and tact....

hey, how about John Bevere???

ppl seem to either love him or hate him - because his style is so....frank.

I love his preaching.

 

[Trish1947]

Hi Trish,

I never implied it was tact or lack thereof that got him beheaded. Since JimB raised (not literally!) J the B, I wanted to discuss J the B further, thus the 'getting lost in the woods' comment to indicate we're getting off the OP.

Opps, sorry, got off track. LOL.

I really like hearing his preaching.

 

[LynneClomina]

I love his preaching.

me too!

 

[SavedByGrace3]

I agree with Jim and with most of what he said in the OP.



What we might want to ask is why do they act this way?

Why would someone with a prophetic gift behave as if that gifting gives them license to not be subject to the commands regarding love, kindness, as well as all the other fruits of the spirit.

This sort of behavior is not peculiar to just prophetic types. It is also found amongst my personal chief antagonist: the heresy hunter. I have found that the "heresy hunter" deems that it is his personal mission and calling from God Almighty to purify the doctrine and teaching of every soul he chances upon. So weighty is this calling; so important is the outcome of the mission; that he feels he is not subject to the same spiritualities as the rest of us. The ends are of such import that the ends justify the means. He can twist the truth, misrepresent, even outright lie if needed. He thinks he is beyond the limitations of mere believers. He deems himself as a guardian of the truth and there are no holds bared in the completion of his work.

Of course he is wrong. Not only is he wrong, but he in setting himself up as doctrinal judge and jury will find the frightening words of James 3 hanging over their head.



James 3:1 Webster
1 My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.



I know the fear of this verse. My screen name means "teacher". I have been a teacher for over 30 years. I cannot count the times I have been left shaking in my bed in tears at the fear of this verse. A true teacher, prophet, or anyone else who knows the calling of God knows exactly of which I speak. Woe be to those who use the word as a weapon to further their own cause and purposes.

Why do they do this? Partially because they in fact are so insecure as to their own calling and gifting that they are compelled to impress others with fleshy shows. Some use the methods mentioned by Jim. Some use other fleshy tactics such as fanatical appearance and lofty pronouncements. I discuss many of these in the prophetic school course. But suffice it to say, the gifted and called of God do not have to behave in these ways. If Christ is speaking in you, you will not need to browbeat or be rude.



2 Corinthians 13:3 Webster
3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who toward you is not weak, but is mighty in you.



When Christ speaks in me.. the people know it. When He speaks in you, they will know it also.



This is the spirit of prophecy:



1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Webster
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;



One of the reasons I drew away from the prophetic movement five years ago is exactly what bro Jim is pointing out here.

There is a message in the following words. I pray God open our eyes to it:

2 Corinthians 10:10-18 WNT
10 For they say "His letters are authoritative and forcible, but his personal presence is unimpressive, and as for eloquence, he has none."
11 Let such people take this into their reckoning, that whatever we are in word by our letters when absent, the same are we also in act when present.
12 For we have not the 'courage' to rank ourselves among, or compare ourselves with, certain persons distinguished by their self-commendation. Yet they are not wise, measuring themselves, as they do, by one another and comparing themselves with one another.
13 We, however, will not exceed due limits in our boasting, but will keep within the limits of the sphere which God has assigned to us as a limit, which reaches even to you.
14 For there is no undue stretch of authority on our part, as though it did not extend to you. We pressed on even to Corinth, and were the first to proclaim to you the Good News of the Christ.
15 We do not exceed our due limits, and take credit for other men's labours; but we entertain the hope that, as your faith grows, we shall gain promotion among you--still keeping within our own sphere--promotion to a larger field of labour,
16 and shall tell the Good News in the districts beyond you, not boasting in another man's sphere about work already done by him.
17 But "WHOEVER BOASTS, LET HIS BOAST BE IN THE LORD."
18 For it is not the man that commends himself who is really approved, but he whom the Lord commends.