Doesn't "telling" people they have to find God, or stop doing drugs, etc, actually make them not ...?

Question

...do what we want them to do? As humans get told what to do for years as children, and naturally resent being told what to do? And will cut off their
own nose to spite thier face, to "prove" they cannot be told what to do?

Answer 1

Why do you resent being told what to do?

Is it pride and independence which caused Adam's original sin?

Don't we all hate to be told we are doing wrong?

Only God can change us.

Answer 2

Although a Christian, I am not going with a Christian answer on this one. From what I see (and I work with people who have used drugs etc. extensively), either choosing to believe in God or choosing to attempt to alleviate drugs from their life has to be the personal choice of the individual. Sometimes, the more you push, the harder they push back. But, it is the most natural thing in the world for loved ones to try to force feed their beliefs on those they love (and worry about) because they think it would help the other person. They basically think "I know he would be okay if only he would" etc.

Drug treatment programs (where I work) use the concept of helping the individual to understand "why" they took drugs, or used alcohol in the first place so they can understand their own motivations and then change if they choose.

I will say this though. If you are a drug or alcohol user, seek help of some kind. I have seen the results of waiting until you are facing jail time or have lost your family relationships and it's not pretty.

Answer 3

I point out one very simple thing to those that are living a lifestyle that is in contradiction to God's Word.
I ask the drug addict, the prostitute, the wife beater, the bum that won't work, you get the idea, are you happy with your life?
Are you living the life you want to live?
God will give someone over to their reprobate mind and if that's the choice they make then so be it.
However if they are not happy with their life then they must be made to realize that change is needed.
If banging your head against the wall causes you to get a headache and you don't enjoy the pain then try banging your head against something a little softer.
I know that's extremely simple but then correcting the problems we have in out lives is simple also.
Try something different.

Answer 4

I do not tell people that they have to find GOD. I offer information about the path to GOD and His wonderful gift of salvation and then I give them choices and present the consequences of each choice. The choice to accept GOD comes with a wonderful consequence to spend eternity in the presence of GOD. The choice to reject GOD also come with a consequence which is to spend eternity separated from GOD. Then I advise them to choose wisely as the decision is eternal. When presented with the whole plan of salvation they then use the GOD given free will they have to choose. It is like the old saying you can drag a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.

Answer 5

Hi!
Why should people do what we want them to do? Especially when it comes to things like finding God! That really IS waving a red flag in front of a bull!

I think we really run into trouble when we nag people. Nag, nag, nag .... no one wants that and of course it results in certain actions ... a dodge to the left, a dodge to the right and next thing you know, they have 'forgotten' to invite you to their birthday party!

They very well might run off in a different direction out of sheer rebellion and a need to protect themselves and their self-image, no matter how good your advice is in fact. So, I do agree with you.

Actually, if we go after people too much, we might dissuade them from doing the very thing they most want .... we put them on the wrong track by our pushiness. And, that is a great shame because we have harmed them.

I think we need to trust that people (including children!!! Please!!!!) do know what they want and they do know what they need to do .... and that they will do things in their own time ... not ours ... so who are we? We don't walk in their sandals.... we don't know how it feels, very often .... so, best to do as we wish others would do for us, and leave people alone!

Thank you for your question. Great question!

Answer 6

There are two ways to learn.

You can learn from your own mistakes or you can learn from the mistakes of other people.

You are suggesting that we assume everyone is so stupid and hard headed that they can only learn from their own mistakes.

I think that I will assume that most people are intelligent and open minded enough to want to understand the past history so they can learn from the mistakes of others as well as from their own mistakes.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

It is a rather interesting idea, deciding everyone is really stupid and can't learn from someone else. Is that something they teach in public schools these days?

Answer 7

Its all in the presentation. If you want to share with them that they in fact do need God and stop using drugs set it up in a way where you share experiences of how God has worked in your life. Or how quitting drugs has benefited someone you mutuall know. Go to a 12 step program with them at first.

Answer 8

It may not stop them but it does sow a seed of good that may grow if they act on it. It is up to all Christians to preach and proclaim the Gospel of Christ and try to help people to know of there God and the blessings of living rightiously. If they act on the light of Christ in them that is up to them or not but they do have to make a choice.

It is a promise in the book of Mormon that he who reads fully and asks God in the name of Christ if this is his church restored and the book is divine will recieve a manifestation through the holy spirit.

www.lds.org
www.mormon.org

Answer 9

Yes, that may be so ...but at least they can't say they were never told.

I told my son not to buy that car because he can't afford it. He did it anyway. He had it reposessed...because...yup he couldn't afford it. But at least I did my job in telling him. I informed him that he was heading into danger becasue I love him...I know he may not take my advice but I would have been remiss if I had not told him.

Same with Salvation. People may not want to hear it, but at least when the end comes they cannot say they were never told.

Answer 10

I can tell you to MOVE out of the way because a Boulder is falling and is going to hit you and kill you, BUT I CANNOT make you move out of the way. Its called Commom Sense. Now I know you are smarter than this example.