How to Bridle Your Tongue But Still Say What You Believe

[saved_by_grace (saved_by_grace)]

Anyone here besides me ever feel that they state what they truly believe but sometimes unintentionally offend others?

Where is the fine line? I also think that we often as those reading the posts take things the wrong way too?

Thus I edit and re-edit my posts because I truly want to say the right thing without changing my stance on something (unless of course I actually change my stance).

Maybe I'm just not tough enough! http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/wink.gif

[friend (friend)]

Everyone feels that way sometimes, grace. We are human and as such, make mistakes. Sometimes we don't make mistakes but are just misunderstood.

It is HARD to communicate via the net...facial expressions, tone of voice, etc. cannot be seen nor heard.

I guess for me, I just try to let people know what I believe and why and try not to be judgemental or use harsh, offensive language in communicating. Words hurt...and really, how can a heart be changed with hurtful words? Also, many times we, as followers of Jesus, try to "convert" as many people as we can with our posts.

That is possible, granted. But more times than not we are building walls to these folks instead of bridges. If we really want to see people understand what we believe and/or change their views, we must make a personal connection with them. I contend that is virtually impossible on the net. However, praying for folks will do MUCH MORE good than any words will ever do. So, I have my list and every morning I pray for the folks I have "spoken" with on the net.

Hope all is well! :-)
Friend

[saved_by_grace (saved_by_grace)]

Thanks Friend! I appreciate your post. Sometimes I just want to stay with my own little group because it is safe but we truly believe that we will be joined with others in heaven. But when I venture out into the world it sometimes get's scarey. I really believe in diversity with almost all issues. I just feel that I have to be careful with those who I fellowship with because diversity can at times be dangerous with the wrong people if they do not know Jesus.

But my heart is right. Unfortunately, my wisdom is not always as strong as my curiousity. I praise God that my husband is strong enough in his faith to not feel threatened by my searching for my own understanding.

It's quite a journey isn't it?

All is well here and I hope with you also.

[carlota (carlota)]

Yes,
I think for anyone who is respectful it is natural to worry about offending someone, even unintentionally. But, hey, you know what it's okay. We should all be able to laugh at ourselves, not take ourselves too seriously or take others too seriously. Religion, politics and social issues often spark strong feelings but anyone who comes to these discussion boards has to come with the knowledge that they may read something they don't like or agree with just as they may write something that others don't like or agree with. And it is all okay.
In the end we are all responsible for our own feelings about things. We are also all free to believe, feel, think, write what we want. As long as our intentions are good and respectful their should be no hurt feelings. There is more than enough room for many ways of thinking. Tolerance is key and sense of humor helps. Write on, Saved by Grace, and don't worry about it.

[saved_by_grace (saved_by_grace)]

Oh but Carlota, I think I offended you after one of your very first posts! (And I sincerely did not mean to do so.) I get to work in a tough male world but I am really pretty tender. http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/happy.gif

Thanks for your post!

[yaakov (yaakov)]

<font color="0000ff">Anyone here besides me ever feel that they state what they truly believe but sometimes unintentionally offend others?</font>

ROFL

Hmmm...let's see. I think just about every post I make. Merely not capitalizing the Christian deity's name is enough to set off several people around here.

[carlota (carlota)]

Saved By Grace,
No no no. I was not offended. I promise. I do sometimes feel that I have no more to say on a subject or perhaps sense that if I say more it will become angry or offensive to others. I am still feeling my way around these forums so I am kind of learning as I go. Don't worry about offending me. As I said, the subject matter discussed here is heavy stuff and close to people's hearts do it sort of comes with the territory. No offense taken.

[saved_by_grace (saved_by_grace)]

LOL Yaakov!

Thanks Carlota!

Friend,

I truly love studying the word of God an continue to become hard pressed to study more and more each day. I wish I could really do more with it but in my faith women only teach other women and children. I have thought about pursuing my doctorate in education (although the carnal side of me really wants a PHD). At least then I could possibly pursue writing educational curriculum for women and children in my church. (Not that I couldn't do that without the doctorate.)

God bless,

[lc_20 (lc_20)]

saved_by_grace - Is it your "faith" that limits your audience or your church?

[saved_by_grace (saved_by_grace)]

Hmmmmm . . . I'll have to think on that. http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/happy.gif

[friend (friend)]

Saved...can you give a hint as to what faith you hold (I know you are a Christian, but what flavor :-))?

As you know, I am a Quaker. That doesn't say much, however, as there are many different kinds of Quakers...MANY. We are of the unprogrammed Christian type Quaker.

In the Light,
Friend

[saved_by_grace (saved_by_grace)]

lc_20,

Although both my "faith" and my "local church" and those churches I associate with may limit my audience, I believe the Word of God is also limiting my audience.

Friend,

Specifically, I am a Landmark Baptist also known as Missionary Baptist. Landmark Baptist are differant from Southern Baptist in that we believe in the authority of the local church instead of the authority of a convention. Instead of "incorporating" or whatever you want to call it into a denomination we associate with churches with similar belief. Although we do not have a governing body outside the local church, we have banded together to create educational literature (thus my comment mentioned above) and to do missionary work. My church belongs to the American Baptist Association (ABA).

[overseas (overseas)]

Male (me) writes: SVG I only step in cause of the role of the women in the church issue. I did not study hard on that. Presently I lean to seeing men to publicly represent the church and undertaking the teachers role. Not that women are incapable of doing that. It is not a question of capacity. But being able to do some does not mean God wants you to do that. I see the same principle in marriage where man is head over his woman. Not that I am smarter than or superior to my wife. But it is God way of presenting things to the world. Same with Jesus submitting to the Father but still equal to the Father. However the line is very thin cause it is unjust to stop any of the church to minister.

[friend (friend)]

Saved,

I am familiar with Landmark Baptists. There is a congregation close to where I grew up in Swannanoa, North Carolina.

I would agree that authority should reside locally. As you know that opens the door for some variance of belief between congregations/meetings...for better or for worse.

Take Care,
Friend

[friend (friend)]

Saved, I just did a search on Landmark Baptists and see that they claim as their direct descendants the anabaptists. The anabaptists were pacifists. Do the Landmark Baptists still hold to pacifism as a tenant of faith?

Peace,
Friend

[saved_by_grace (saved_by_grace)]

Friend,

Do the Landmark Baptists still hold to pacifism as a tenant of faith? Not strictly. Although we do place the Word of God above any human government.

21. We believe in freedom of worship without interference from the government and affirm our belief in civil obedience, unless the laws and regulations of civil government run contrary to the Holy Scriptures (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-15).

http://www.abaptist.org/general.html

God bless,

P.S. Keep in mind that all local churches that associate with this association do not always agree completely with all of the statements of faith but I would say generally they do.


(Message edited by saved by grace on January 11, 2005)

[theopholis]

There is a lot more to Landmark Baptist belief than is stated here. Landmark Baptists believe that John the Baptist was the first Baptist (who knows, maybe Anna Baptist was the second?). They are spiritual descendants of a fellow by the name of Graves who wrote Old Landmarkism.

[called]

Anyone here besides me ever feel that they state what they truly believe but sometimes unintentionally offend others? WOW what a thread! i myself seem to offend EVERYONE under the son but i realy don't mean to, Have you guys ever realy read my post???

a quote friend to saved

"""Saved...can you give a hint as to what faith you hold (I know you are a Christian, but what flavor :-))?"""
This is purely out of love ok, so please dont take it wrong!!! Friend ask Saved to give him or her a hint to what faith he or she holds, EPH 4:5 says theirs ONLY ONE FAITH, and to ask someone what flavor is to ask what denomination they belong to right??? this is where people get very offended, Denominations is 100% unbiblical and no where found in scripture! the first century Christians met and fellowshiped in their homes, their was no such thing as church buildings Sects or denominations, Man made Sects and denominations puts divisions in the true body of Christ which we are!
becouse each and everyone of them teach differnt doctrines and this is very unbiblical becouse their is only one Truth! that being the word of God only. a True Christian follows the word of God only and stays completly away from the teachings of man, which is found in each and every denomination,
2 Timothy 3:16
(King James Version)
3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
this means we can not pick and choose what we believe and do not believe, its all or nothing Point Blank!

2 Peter 1:20 (King James Version)
1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

this means that no person or denomination can privately have their own interpretation.
But every denomination on the face of the earth under christendom and outside christendom has their own PRIVATE INTETPRETATIONS!!! One believes in the Pre-trib-Rapture, another belives in the mid-Trib-Rapture, another believes in a Post-Trib-Rapture, yet another says it dont matter when Christ returns. but all claim to hold the only truth and be lead by the same Holy Spirit!!! This can not be possiable!!!

1 Corinthians 1:10 (King James Version)

1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, {that ye all speak the same thing}, and that there be {no divisions among you}; but that ye be {perfectly joined together} in the same mind and in the {same judgment}.
this means as Christians and of the same body with the one head being Christ we must all preach and teach the same thing or we are not lead by the same Spirit! and we must all believe the same exact thing when it comes to the word of God or we are not being lead by the same spirit, as True Christians we must be perfectly joined togather and their must be NO DIVISIONS among us whatsoever!!!
the reason people belong to thousdands of differnt sects and denominations is becouse thousands of differnt spirits are leading them, so if you belong to any denomination or sect of a denomination you are not in the trut body of Christ!!! the Bible tells us to come out from among them and be ye SEPARATE!!!
God Bless you
Pastor Johnny