Do you ever get the feeling that your participation on this board is counterproductive both to your own relationship with Christ as well as to the unbelievers who read your questions & answers?
I ask this to you because I've recently, in the past few days, felt convicted in my spirit about some of my interactions with unbelievers on this board. I'll admit this board can become somewhat of an addiction and I've even neglected my usual private time of prayer and Bible study in the past week or two so I could come on to Y/A and engage people about their opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This morning I've been reading in 2 Timothy chapter 2 and came across the following verses:
vs 14: "Keep reminding God's people of thes things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words, it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen."
vs. 16: "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly."
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2007-12-06 03:34:55 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If you are neglecting your devotional time to God, then yes, it is time to stop, this is becoming an idol for you.
For me, the most important thing is spreading the Gospel. Yes, there are many that won't receive it because of their hardened hearts, but I'm not here for them. I do my best to answer those questions that the person is truly seeking to know the answer to. I carefully discern the question and pray that someone (whether the asker or someone reading) can become enlightened. It is very much like the sower of seeds and the four point placement.
From a personal experience (a very long story, so the Readers Digest version) I was opening the Gospel to someone who was truly seeking. He didn't fully grasp everything, and he didn't accept Christ that day. Little did I know, that a person in the other room was listening, and he did accept Christ. The one I was focused on, didn't get anything from me, but a planted seed. The one I didn't even know was interested, was the one that came to Jesus. That's the reason why I answer questions here, it may not be the one that asked, but as long as I can edify someone (whether it be another believer, or it brings someone to Jesus) then I am doing what God wants me to do.
2007-12-06 11:32:20 · answer #1 · answered by Acts 4:12 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do it because it is a way to let non believers try to hear the Word. Maybe this is the only way to hear. If Im on Yahoo Answers for 50 years and one person accepts God because of Christians on here, it would be worth it.
But this is like an internet message board, cant really take too many people serious.
2007-12-06 03:41:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you have been neglecting your regular prayer life to come here, then God's Spirit is trying to tell you so. You need less time here and more back at prayer. Most people on here are heathens anyway. Heathens were the cause of Israel spending 40 years in the desert and just steps away from the promised land.
2007-12-06 05:28:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I think the same thing really...I believe though that people inherently are good. I have tried to avoid those who carry hate...there are some atheists who do not. I have found a few with some pretty intelligent insights. Unfortunately there are still those who have a hate filled mind and lack any spirit for goodness regardless of how they practice or don't practice their religious beliefs.
LAZAR what a NICE message filled with smite and hatred....you must make your atheist friends proud...NOT.....
See like the response from Eldritch how hateful...was it necessary? DID it make anyone NOT believe how they believed before? No, it was just to incite and try and cause an uproar...those people I just block....
2007-12-06 03:42:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Good verses.
But, no, I don't find it counterproductive. It hasn't interfered with my devotions -- quite the reverse, in fact. It pushes me to dig deeper and really think about expressing my faith.
I DO try to avoid people who are obviously just baiting Christians and look for honest questions. If I can post something that helps...
BTW: Paul is talking to Timothy about Christians. Seekers will give you quite a bit of 'godless chatter' that you may have to dig through. That's the way of evangelism and discipleship. People have a lot of things to unlearn, a lot of baggage to dispose of.
2007-12-06 03:44:13 · answer #5 · answered by r_moulton76 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think my time spent here it is counterproductive, but I am new to Yahoo! Answers. Ask me in a few months and see how I am handling this.
My purpose here (as in everything, although I do not do it perfectly) is to glorify God. He tells me to love my neighbor and those who populate these forums are some of my neighbors.
Do I have to respond to those neighbors (Christian or otherwise) who are obviously trying to antagonize those who believe different things? I don't think so.
Do I have an opportunity to encourage other believers and seekers? Yes, I think so.
Brian, you have blessed me with your input so I personally don't think you are wasting your time. I think you can include the time you spend here (when you are glorifying God) as time well spent with Him, too. We are not to hide from the world but to be in it, too, to show those wandering in the darkness that there is a better way offered to us all. If we can do that with love and compassion, recognizing that but for the grace of God we would be wandering in the darkness, too, I believe we please Him.
Blessings on your head.
Take care,
Gayle
2007-12-06 05:54:14 · answer #6 · answered by GaySha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I look past mere words. Words are limits.
I look to the sentiment behind those words. I see people allegedly Christian or not out to inflict pain or put others down. I see people of all backgrounds who have a spark of joy and appreciation for life and its blessings.
I am joyed to see that people of various backgrounds do intend well towards each other, even if we disagree over some foundations, definitions and perceptions.
God Bless.
2007-12-06 03:42:37 · answer #7 · answered by Kara J 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can't help but agree somewhat, it's a "fruitless" labour answering any questions that are quite obviously rhetorical.
When an obvious non-believer asks a question, it's unlikely that they're asking to be 'enlightened'. Even Jesus was silent when he was being questioned by some, because he knew that it was pointless to answer.
I try to limit my answers towards those who are sincerely asking, but also to "provide a fine witness in the sight of all men" when a question seems to need an answer.
Sadly tho, I have seen real and face-value Christians alike answer questions that really just made all of us look bad. People need to really consider carefully what kind of witness they're providing by their answers.
2007-12-06 03:46:37 · answer #8 · answered by Lexpressive 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
"Thank You!" by george, i think you got it! have you ever dropped a bunch of things that were in cans? nuts and bolts? screws,differant sized nails? and they all hit the floor together? and here you are..looking down at them..what a job...now, as you look at them..you will see there are some that are "rusty", bent, crooked, etc., so, when you sort them out this time...what are you going to do? Keep the good...throw out the bad...makes sense, right? so it is when you come here on answers...same thing...this is the only way to "help people" and avoid trouble..it's "Wise" "Peace!"
2007-12-06 03:51:51 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. "Diamond" 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It all boils down to why you are here. I come here to learn and to help others learn, not to argue, but to debate. I have learned a lot about being a Christian from this site. Not from believers, but from the unbelievers. I have learned how we are perceived as a group and how we are perceived as individuals. If I came here with the intent of just arguing, then I would agree that I should not come here.
2007-12-06 03:43:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋