Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Ask God -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jamey who wrote (35544)	9/2/2003 10:09:39 PM
From: Berry Picker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 39621

That is a good question James - one which answering in a general manner may not suffice. Christ Himself did not shrink from debate and most certainly was not ashamed of truth and yet left us also with these words... Mt 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. A little later - in the same instructions Jesus said this... Matthew 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. On the one hand Jesus told them to leave an kick the dust from their heels and yet when they would be brought before Kings and Judges they would indeed be given words to speak on behalf of the truth. Consider this verse James: Pr 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. There is an old saying - when you wrestle with a pig you will both get covered in mud. But also interesting is what that same proverb also says in the very next verse concerning fools: 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. Some have wondered how to reconcile the fact that the proverb says not to answer and also to answer!! The trick is that the fool is not answered in sincerity or with any respect - he is a fool - casting pearls before them is meaningless and simply fuels them for even more foolish responses. This proverb is understood by few but in fact speaks volumes : Pr 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife. Pounding one's head on a wall does little to the wall or any who may have brought you such frustrations :-) James - debating with fools simply brings honor to them that they do not deserve - surely Christ did not waste His time debating every fool that came along. Christ did debate with those who were leaders in the church and made a public display of them - but concerning every one who desired to argue with Him - He was not obligated in any wise. The reason Christ could silence the Pharisee's was because that debate was public and they feared being seen by others as presenting foolish or illogical arguments - but to even grace a mad man who resorts to nothing more than false accusations and name calling is demeaning to those who would bother to waste their time upon them. Psalm 2 is about Christ - the raging is done by those in power who crucified Him - yet the Psalm teaches that God would laugh at their attempts to dethrone His Son. God allowed them not only to rage but to murder His innocent Son and in fact many innocent prophets sent to them including the apostles themselves. The heathen continue to rage at Christ - the Anointed one and His servants. This is an endless condition and will not be ended simply because the things said by fools are easily debunked and readily proven illogical. They do not care for truth and being forced to deal with it only makes them more determined to continue their evil plots and allegations. False witnesses and persecutors will suffer hell - that is our comfort and promise. Christ said this: Mt 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Some men by their utterly ungodly accusations actually honor you when they think they do you harm. Remember the promise made to Abraham: Ge 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: Debating the wicked is a waste of time for the most part - they do not fight against us but against God Himself and all truth itself. They rant and rave - it is their godless nature - to ask them to quit is to ask a lion to become a vegetarian. Mt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; I think if a man does not find time to pray for those that rage then he should also not find time to enter into debate with them either. I personally do not have the time or the inclination to pray for some who have proven over and again that that they are false converts - doomed to God's wrath and judgement - for the most part I say - let the dead debate the dead. As for my words let them be given to those who do hear. :-) Ac 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Some times it's just time to move on and let the wicked stew in their own broth. Brian