Christians, catching flies with Lemon Juice or Honey?!?

Question

Recently I have noticed that many "Christians" on R&S have been giving some questionable answers, that sound more like condeming and judging rather than loving your neighbor. Remember Christ loved the sinners, and calls us to do the same. He said "those without sin cast the first stone". Remember we are to be persacuted for our beliefs, and turn our cheek, the way christ did. Please remember that all sin is weighed the same, they all were the reason for our saviors death. All of us have sinned, (lustful thoughts, afairs, homosexuality, lies, deciet, judging others, taking the lord's name in vain) I am not rightous just forgiven.
I pray before I write an answer to any question on R&S that God would give me the right words to say the help the person whom asked the question, and I pray for each one of you, so that God would reach and bless everyone who comes to this site. I ask that you would do the same? Are you catching flies w/ honey or lemon juice?

Answer 1

I pray before I answer too. And when the question seems sincere, I try to answer as sincerely and gently as I can.

But there is a place in a Christian's life for anger. Jesus Himself wasn't a stranger to that emotion. When He found the money changers in the temple, He blew His cork and chased them out with a whip. You go, Lord!

I love the bible and I love my Church: Christianity. So when I see weak-faithed, smug people making a mockery of both by picking and choosing verses from the bible to harass people and trying to scare people into God's love, and making Christianity into a superficial caricature of the love that Jesus taught, I get mad. And I feel all right expressing that anger.

I feel that fundamentalists and their perversion of Jesus's message of love, do more damage to God's Kingdom that all the atheists and terrorists in the world.

So I speak out when I feel led.

Answer 2

Honey, without a doubt, because I use Scripture to answer my R&S questions, even those posed by atheists, agnostics and those of opposing faiths. It says I am to love my neighbor, and my enemy as I would any other. I feel my Spirit telling me the words I write as I put them down, and I realize that the ones who read this will not only be the one who asked. Based on how many times questions are chosen by votes, in fact, sometimes the asker may never even look at the question, again.

But, there will be others who will read this, some because they truly may wish to know an answer, some because their Spirits have touched them to seek further answers. I choose not to venture my own opinion, however strong it may be, because it is just that if I am not backing it up with Scripture -my opinion. If I use Scripture, I believe I am using fact, because it is in the Book and when it comes to faith, that is a verifiable source.

Answer 3

I'm sorry if I offend, but I don't need to pray before I do things. I use my own mind to figure things out. I figure if there is a God, then good people like me already have a plan for them, so why fret and pray so much. I just try to live a good, honest life. I don't do this in hopes of any greater reward either.

And while I am not a homosexual, I do not agree that this is a sin. I simply cannot agree with that one...and lustful thoughts are normal. Sex is normal between two consenting adults. I don't shun my sexuality (nor do I flaunt it) but I respect what it is.

Thats all I have to say, eventhough I know you and many don't agree. But I guess this is why this is a forum for sharing many different ideas and points of view.

Peace.

Answer 4

Deb;

Some of us are always going to think of Yahoo as a big virtual mission field. Others of us are always going to think of Yahoo as a big target range. Still others will think of Yahoo as a place to show off, or let off steam.

Your point is well made. Although I am sure that there is a valid ministry in trying to reach masochists, few people are going to respond positively to the kind of vitriol that gets thrown around in this place because they just don't like being beaten up.

When I answer questions here, I am not really in the Missionary mindset, although I am listed with my denomination's North American Mission Board. This is more a place for the Apologist than the Evangelist. Admittedly, the vitriol is thrown from non-Christians as well, but there are sometimes some very thoughtful posts here from people who have genuine questions regarding the Christian faith. Some are from Christians and non-Christians alike. For the non-Christians who want to understand Christ and the life of Faith more clearly, I am pleased to try to give a rational response. For the Christian who really wants to understand the subtleties of the faith, I am glad to do the same.

Nothing irks me more, though, than the person that adopts the Christian label but has no idea what that really means, nor any intention of pursuing a Christ-like life. Too many people call themselves Christian because their parents told them to. I can't speak with absolute authority on it, but I personally believe these people are the ones who Jesus said would be calling his name when he replies "I never knew you." It seems to be these people, more than any others, who post with such rage and hatred.

Keep praying. Keep posting. And follow the example of Christ!

Answer 5

Hello-
Yes we all need to be kind, we also need to remember to move on when someone rejects the gospel.

Leave on a good note, someday if these non-believers are around to see end time prophecy fulfilled they need to know the truth!

We are to "...speak the truth in love..." (from Ephesians 4:15)

We are to have a gentle quiet spirit. And yes it's ok to be angry, but remember that we are accountable for every thought word and deed.

- Redeemed (by the precious blood of the Lamb)

Answer 6

I agree with you. I sometimes wonder if trolls pose as Christians simply to outrage everyone. On the other hand, there are a lot of "Christians" who believe in scaring people out of hell, rather than loving them into heaven. Trouble is, scared people have a way of taking out fire insurance, without any true desire to know the Insurer.
I'm with you. While we must adhere to the Scriptures without compromising their integrity, we also need to love our neighbors and rid ourselves of any smug assumptions that "we" are in any way better.
Go for the honey!

Answer 7

i am not religious myself even though my avatar character is religious , why you say ?, well it is easier to approach someone as say jesus, than say demon beast or whatever. I dont take my avatar character too seriously and i have been online only 4 weeks , no more Q/A for me , now will learn comp. graphics and finish my heaven and hell series , so far some people appear too be off their heads but i will make them see the light.ps. incable of stealing or scamming in any way my only sin is i have a sense of humour , sorry.

Answer 8

yes, yes, yes. i so agree with you. there are a lot of "christian" posters who say stuff like "you're going to hell" etc. i wonder how many people have gotten saved because somebody said that to them!! people get saved because they see a genuine difference in a christian's life--a joy, a peace, that they couldn't have on their own.

along the lines of the honey vs. lemon juice, i've often said if someone flips you off while you're driving, do you try to catch up with them and tell them you're sorry, even if you WERE wrong? no--it makes you mad that they were impatient and fault finding. the only way you'd actually listen to someone fault your driving is if you knew them and they said something kind, understanding, helpful. same with christianity. we're all on the same road. we don't need "expert drivers" to be nasty. what's the verse that says each of you should not think more highly of himself than he ought but in a spirit of humility, help each other.

i'm glad you made this point and hope it's challenged some of the finger-pointers out there.

Answer 9

you are very right, we none have the ability to judge anyone thats Gods choice to do so, sometimes non-believers say things that gets us real upset and us christians instead of negative responses should try to say something positive in the hopes of maby one day to help change someones heart to give there life to christ, so yeah we should all be careful how we respond, God bless and have a great day!

Answer 10

I agree but by you writing "Christians" in quotations you yourself are implying that they are not really so. I think that sometimes people get very passionate with what they are trying to get across and it does come off wrong sometimes and it does offend people as well, but that doesnt make those people less than you because they answered in a way you wouldnt. I do believe that it is better to be respectful so as to not put people off though

Answer 11

I'm not a fly.

But I do agree that I will never respect the fire and brimstone haters. At least the Christ-emulators make Christianity look good.