STANDING ON THE WORD...

[Virtuous 0]

This site REALLY needs prayer. From my understanding, it was BUILT on the Word of God; therefore, it should STAND on the Word of God. There shouldn’t be any compromising that.

With all due respect, I have to be honest here. If this causes me to be banned from the site…so be it. This site has allowed certain people to rant and rave out of frustration, anger, bitterness, etc. These same people are allowed to release things that totally speak against/contradict the Word of God. As soon as someone tries to correct the behavior, which normally “offends” the person doing it, they are reminded to respond in “love”. To me, this is compromising the Word of God in hopes of not hurting anyone’s feelings.

And, oh…please don’t get me started on the “Don’t judge me” speech. There is a difference in judging someone and correcting someone. We use those three words TOO lightly to justify not receiving correction; especially when we actually see ourselves in what is being said. THAT’S what the Word of God does for us. When we read it, we’re suppose to see ourselves…the ugly parts and all. THAT’S how we get cleaned up. THAT’S why the word should not be compromised.

If we don’t STAND on the Word of God, just as it is…we are going to be held accountable for it. If it’s me, I WANT to be corrected whether it hurts my feelings or not. That’s what I call responding “in love”. And some times we have to be given “tough love”. We are too afraid of stepping on someone’s toes. When it gets too hot, they want to bail out and just because we don’t want to see anyone leave, we tell them things to tickle their ears. And for those who want to leave/have left because they feel this site is upholding those whose feet have been stepped on knowing what’s real…Can you blame them? We can’t do that. We’re either going to STAND on the Word or we’re not. And if we’re not, no one has to worry about banning me from this site because I can leave peacefully without any hard feelings towards anybody.

I can say all of this because my toes have been stepped on more times than I’d like to remember. Did I like it? Of course not. Was it the right thing to do? Of course it was. Did I think that at the time? Of course not. Was I mad? You better believe it. Am I glad I was corrected? You better believe it because I could still be in darkness about a lot of things. But because somebody “loved” me enough to knock me upside the head with the truth, I can say I have come a long way. People are not going to always tell us what we want to hear, especially if they love us. They are going to tell us what we NEED to hear whether we like it or not. Even on this site; I have been told some things that I just did not want to hear.

I can understand getting mad at someone for telling us what we don’t want to hear and it very well may cause us to kick, scream and buck against them AND our frustrations all the more. BUT WE CAN NOT FEEL SYMPATHY TOWARDS THAT PERSON TO THE POINT THAT WE COMPROMISE THE WORD OF GOD. Yes, we should feel sympathetic and compassionate towards people and what they deal with, but we are NO good to them if we’re compromising the Word of God.

I’m not trying to offend anyone…I promise I’m not. So please don’t take this in the wrong spirit. This is a great site and I know the enemy will constantly be at work against it because of the vision God gave Mia for it.

[Cholette 0]

Since many people have viewed this and not responded yet, let me be the first to say that I agree with what you have said here. I do not want you to leave and I don't believe you will be banned for speaking your heart. DO NOT LEAVE!!!!!!!!!! We need your honest and bold spirit here.

[Virtuous 0]

I will not give the enemy the satisfaction. The only way I leave is if I'm asked to leave.

[sunshine2 0]

My first time seeing this thread. Yup, I have not gotten involved in those conversations. I feel a need to "hold myself back" because honestly I can't tell whether any words will fall on fertile ground. I have been unsure since the beginning and each new thing kind of confirms that I'm supposed to stay out of it. Good for you for saying what you feel but I have a feeling that there is more to this than any one of us can confront or do. Whatever it is at work is BIG and in my opinion needs hands on ministry.

[Lori 0]

I've read the post, thought I would come back and reply later, but I'll add my 2 cents now. I think most if not all of us can understand where you are coming from. Anyone of who has read most of the posts in all the sections can know what case in point has brought this issue up. I agree w/what you said, and am of fan of your honesty. Those of us far enough in our walk know we will hear things that aren't always pleasant to our ears but we need them. I do believe in standing on the Word of God, and from what I read I think 99% of us do. The only part I see a bit different is our approach in responding to certain poster. What I mean by that is that we are all at different walks in our relationship w/God, some are new, some are struggling, some are seasoned and so on. Take an infant, we don't expect them to understand, or act like an adult cuz they are not, they need naturing and love first, as the infant grows to a toddler now you can start expecting certain things, but their still learning and growing and struggling w/there own ability to understand and communicate so you still have to be gentle how you work w/a toddler, you can't put a kid in a time out if they don't understand what it is so you do things that are age appropriate, again as the child get's older and now is understanding more and more, you can expect this and know they are getting it and so on, I'm sure you can see where I'm going w/this. I think it works the same way w/people who have just become Christians, as they learn and grow you can expect they can receive certain things, but if this is new and still bit of a struggle for them they don't get it. I'm not saying tickle their ears, I'm saying how you say what you want to say may have to be worded easy so an infant can get it. Course I'm thinking about one particular poster in mind. So when someone doesn't get it, we shouldn't get mad or offended because they don't get it (even if their replies are nasty), we should still respond to them in love, but all the while we should be asking God for direction how to deal w/a difficult person (course I know you know that). I do think the easily offended have left. And I don't think responding honestly even when the words are blunt but done in love is wrong. I think your frustration comes from offering help, and standing on the word but they don't get it - understandably so, but I do think it's a good thing to remember this may be a person(s) only outlet for help, guidance while they are searching for answers and when those people are upset and frustrated w/not getting what the expect (the poster(s) that seem mean) they do vent, we may not like what they say, but they are reaching out for help in a round about way. I wouldn't want to see someone like that banned, because this may be the only place they've got right now. Not everyone is meant to respond to those posters, nor should they. I think there's a large amount of us that can understand where that particular poster is coming from (maybe you too). But when I see those I usually shake my head like oh-no, but I can see where they came from because I was there. But what can seem so obvious and easy to some, to others it's just not obvious, let only easy. There is a maturity level that gets involved too, if your young and struggling and a new believer, there own maturity level can be part of there hinderance. And while we should expect everyone to respect everyone, and God above all else, it just doesn't happen that way IRL, so we need to understand that. I'm not saying anyone should be able to say what they want, but for those that seem to be not receiving, those that can't deal w/that person shouldn't and allow the other's that God has called to help that person(s) do it. I guess what I'm saying in a very long winded way is, that I do agree w/you, but for those that are still lost and really need help we should make room for them, and the ones God wants to help that person(s) should, and should be allowed to. I know this site if for dreams. But we have seen many struggle w/things, and I know we have a Christian Counseling section so for those who need it maybe we she keep those ranting posts in there, or create a section that the lost who are searching and upset in there struggles can go, and as long as they keep it clean (honesty can hurt but it also tells what walls they are at) the ones God has called to help counsel, guide, and handle these what seem to be more difficult posters can go - just a thought. Anyhoot, I hear what you saying, God Bless you!

[Lori 0]

Oh, and like I haven't said enough already . I did want to add, the one particular poster that I think we all are thinking off, and Virtuous, you know who it is, came back under a new name, has been on my heart from the beginning for prayer! I, like I'm sure others have prayed for this poster, so I would like to encourage everyone that reads this to really lift that poster up in prayer.

[princessdelia 0]

Sisters!!! I'm with you! So tired of the judge not nonsense going on among believers. The word says a spiritual man judges all things to know what is right. That's why Christianity has lost its fire4 righteousness. Take back the world4 Christ and nothing but the realness of God

[Virtuous 0]

Yes, that's the one.

The thing about it is that this member has been on my heart since the very beginning. Seems as though I relate to the struggles, frustration and everything. Not dealing with the same issues, but the struggles and the frustrations are all the same. I mean it was like the member is me but not me...you know? Have you ever felt that way about a person?

I pray for this member A LOT! And it seems that we have been able to respond to each other - as long as I felt the need to console them in a gentle and an "ooooooh, it's gone be alright, baby" and so on and so forth. But as soon as I felt the need to get a little more stern, I was told I was judging them. Which is totally not true. But NTway...just as you said, I will continue to pray and just stay away unless I know that I know that I know God is telling me to add to the thread. Then I already know I would care less "who" don't like it (pretty much like now) because I will be obeying God. Just as simple as that.

__________________________________
I see where princessdelia has added a reply and I want to say something else.

The word says a spiritual man judges all things to know what is right. That's why Christianity has lost its fire4 righteousness.

You said a mouthful, then. That's exactly what I'm talkin about. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your input! It's all about righteousness...holiness...purity...living by faith...the holy spirit dwelling and rising up in us...Yes - thank you!

[HisLightbeam 0]

Again, thank you for the word today, ladies - I both agree and appreciate it. I too have been surreptiously ignoring the ranting posts, as I thought answering the posts would only encourage, and not discourage the behavior. I want to make sure that I have clarified my stance when I say there is only one Judge and Lawgiver, as it pertains to salvation, not judgement as it pertains to right and wrong. We are supposed to judge right and wrong behavior according to the
Word, and not what we have a personal believe of. Whenever we have a personal belief that is different than what the scripture clearly expounds, the personal belief is the belief that should be kicked to the curb and revamped. Virtuous, you are right to say that it is not lovely to let people continue in error. I know I ignored some of it, because my response may have been harsher than what I would have intended. After all, the Lord drew us all with love and kindness - and sometimes I can be blunter than I think God wants me to be.

There are boundaries that have been set forth for those who use the site. Where people fall outside of the boundaries there is confusion and disorder. I would like to think that everyone wants peace, and to benefit from all the wisdom that flows in this site, but it would not be true. I am looking for some fruit from the rants, but we all know that fruits don't grow on a sapling. Prayerfully, this person will grow in wisdom as they spend time in the Word.

correcting someone. We use those three words TOO lightly to justify not receiving correction; especially when we actually see ourselves in what is being said. THAT’S what the Word of God does for us. When we read it, we’re suppose to see ourselves…the ugly parts and all. THAT’S how we get cleaned up. THAT’S why the word should not be compromised.

If we don’t STAND on the Word of God, just as it is…we are going to be held accountable for it.

I agree with you, Virtuous, Cholette, hillobeans, princessdelia. Have a great one.

[HisLightbeam 0]

I just refuse to be distracted by the enemy. Almost everybody here is a real encouragement, and I love the way each of you manifest the gifts that God has given you to dream, to interpret, to prohesy, to edify, to exhort. Thank you, ladies.