Personal rebukes

[staythecourse]

In a thread I read recently here, a site for which I have growing repect and to which I refer often, the sarcasm and personal back-biting and belittling was grievous to look at, especially those who have been here and would be considered pillars herein.

My only recommendation would be to keep God's will in thinking things out speak with words steeped in love. That is the hard and best part.

Two words: One on sarcasm: "A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord."

The second on reconcilliation and going to the person with a private message first. "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."

There's an adage that says for every correction say 7 good things.

Puritan board had atracted:

1. Smart people
2. Good ladies
3. Noble men
4. Deep thinkers and searchers
5. Those well-grounded in Scripture
6. Those who know what they believe
7. Pastors, students, elders, deacons, fathers, husbands, wives, mothers
8. All striving to serve Christ and love their brother. That one's for free.

God bless our speech toward one another.

 

[panta dokimazete]

Good post, brother - as I am one to whom this is applicable - I take your wisdom and warning with fear and trembling.

It is easy to forget in the heat of debate/discussion/battle - - that we are indeed in a public forum and therefore to exhibit our saltiness and light before the world.

Good words of encouragement too - I find myself more and more appreciative of the folks here and the distinctiveness that is the Puritan Board.

 

[MrMerlin777]

Debates do get heated at times. If this were an earlier era to hear sarcasm and even insult used in debate wouldn't have been uncommon at all. It was just the way debate was held.

I seem to recall Luther calling more than one person an ass and ignorant jackass. But that was a different time and he was dealing with people who at times were even seeking his life.

I agree that all debate should be done in the spirit of charity, that said however there are some on here that are shall we say more lively in debate and thicker skinned. If those types of folks can exchange even their "jibes" and keep their good humor and not get offended I think they should be able to do so. Provided they maintain Christian love between them and don't let anger enter. (I'm not one of them BTW. I'm a bit skiddish when attacked and admitedly am easy to take things pesonally. So I automatically stay out of debate I think'll get heated to that point.)

I have lively debate with my twin brother all the time. And, because he's my brother we can get into some heated discussions and end them with a hug even when we still disagree. Some of the Christian brethren here are like that as well. I would say that the more heated debates should be confined to members only forums, however, and I believe that is the case anyway.

 

[staythecourse]

Salting words even now

What can a fellow believer do but offer gracious words in suggesting gracious words.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, "Is this not Joseph's son?"

To have gracious words fall from my lips!

 

[Davidius]

Just out of curiosity, why isn't this post in a members-only forum? Or why didn't you personally message the people whom you saw acting wrongly? I mean, that was one of the points you made in your post.

Perhaps I'm just confused about the nature of the thread. Are you rebuking people? Or are you just telling other people (whom you saw rebuking others incorrectly) how to correctly rebuke others? I suppose either way my questions still stand. I'm just wondering.

 

[staythecourse]

If I stand corrected forgive me

It was meant to be a general call to us to conform to Christ's call to gracious words.

Forgive me brother.

 

[Davidius]

It was meant to be a general call to us to conform to Christ's call to gracious words.

Forgive me brother.

Oh, there's no apology necessary on your part! I really just wanted to make sure I understood what was going on so I could correctly receive and benefit from what you were saying.

 

[staythecourse]

Appreciate the comment

I'll consider it for future action and Long live Mr. Pell.