negative...negative...negative

I love this site...but there are times when i notice that most of what is posted tends toward the negative...even harsh a critical...why is that?

It's like the parent who is always pointing out what the kid does wrong and pounding the poor kid in the ground over and over with ..."You aint measuring up, you can't do nothing right..." and very seldom giving an encouraging word!

Notice though i'm not talking about this site...or am i refering to the messages from the many great preachers on sermonindex.net....I'm refering to the folks who post opinions on this thread like the one i just posted.
9 out of 10 at times seems so negative...negative...negative

:-(

I think many times there are many saints here who are standing ground on the things that they believe. Sometimes it comes across very poorly. I hope that I can receive and give answers in humility.

Colossians 4:6 says,

6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Lord let it be so here and in my life.

Sean

But ya know... there isnt a whole lot going on in the church today to be positive about either.

But there is much to be happy about. God's creation, Jesus, God in general, etc. MUCH! And on the contrary-- much to be sad about.

Being negative is not necessarily bad, it's in what spirit are you negative etc. But there is much to be positive about :-)

Although I'd prefer the word "sad" or "downcast" than "negative."

But most/many of the posts on here are negative-- I sometimes have a hard time telling via simple text what someone's spirit is-- this Internet form of communication can be confusing.

Jordan

But ya know... there isnt a whole lot going on in the church today to be positive about either.

Is. 60: 1 says:
“See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the people.”

How much more negative can you get! But who can deny the truth of that statement! Indeed, darkness is covering the earth – if we look through our natural eyes.

Thankfully Isaiah was not just a negative guy. He had a bright side to his message:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the GLORY OF THE LORD rises upon you.” Is. 60:1

That glory is Christ ruling in the hearts of the redeemed – the remnant.

It is dawning on me that if I want to see light in the darkness, I must first let the LIGHT shine in my own heart – that is Christ. I have a responsibility: ‘Arise..” It is only through the eyes of Christ, that I can see his light shine in others. It is not a visible light, but nevertheless, it can be recognized:

“And we with unveiled faces,
all reflect the Lord’s glory,
and are being transformed into his likeness
with ever-increasing glory
which comes from the LORD,
who is the SPIRIT!” 2 Cor. 3:18

“In him was life, and that life was the LIGHT of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood.” Jn. 1:4

I suspect that we will be more able to see flickers of the LIGHT if we change our glasses. After all, it’s all about perspective.

You see, that LIGHT is Christ. Can anything be more positive!

"...fix your thoughts on Jesus.." Heb. 3:1
"...set your heart on things above..." Co. 3:1
"Set your minds on things above, NOT on earthy things." Col. 3:2

Diane

Something to take onboard. There are a lot of negative things creeping into the Church - but to dwell on them is dangerous and very wrong. However, Christians should be aware of such, and flee from them. Thank you for you post.

Philippians 4:8
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I was just thinking the same thing this weekend- not about the posters on SI, but about myself. I know i am 'bent' more towards being critical (pessemistic, skeptical, negative, and even 'discerning')

I find myself sometimes always looking for what's wrong. I know that in this church age, it is hard to find alot of things that are right or positive- but it's also what you choose to see.

I find that if i am not careful, this critical thinking about the religious system and the church can carry over into my personal life and that is NOT a good thing.

God is still in control. God is still God and He is doing an awesome work not only in His church, but behind the scenes where we have no idea what is going on in someone's life or ministry.

Even preachers like David Wilkerson do not preach all doom and danger all the time. Too much criticism and negativity causes people to lose hope and it does spread like a disease.

Christ is HOPE and LIFE! That is a the most positive message I can think of and we can spread that message. We should be the most joyous people around.

I want to try to look at people and things, giving them the benefit of the doubt first, not looking to nit pick and see what thing I can see wrong with them or with what they've said. No one is perfect. We all fall short in some areas. We all need mercy and grace. God gives us mercy and grace everyday. We should do the same.

Love... is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.- it believes for the best in someone.

I am grateful that God does not treat me the way I have treated others sometimes. I am glad that He does look on me with mercy not with a scowl on his face.

Reminds me of the verse about the harsh taskmaster. He is not a harsh taskmaster and I don't think that we should give the impression to others that He is, do you? (i am talking about the way believers talk to and about each other)

Just my 2 cents for the day :-)

In His grace, Chanin

Yes, very true, Krispy.

Christ is HOPE and LIFE! That is a the most positive message I can think of and we can spread that message. We should be the most joyous people around.

Amen! very true, Channin

there has been a real need to challenge some of the "doctrines" that are being brought up by some of the newer folks to this forum.

It's like the parent who is always pointing out what the kid does wrong and pounding the poor kid in the ground over and over with ..."You aint measuring up, you can't do nothing right..." and very seldom giving an encouraging word!

Someone on another thread shared in his testimony that when he was struggling with sin he honestly did not know what to do about it. Indeed, we can be so good at telling people what NOT to do or what’s wrong with their thinking. But teaching them the right way to think and do - especially by example works so much better – though takes time, love, and patience. (I’m preaching to myself, because I have to apply this to my music students.)

Here’s a thought – re negativity:
Imagine being ill and walking into a hospital. Everyone there is complaining about the sicknesses, the bad management, the bad food, and other the bad stuff going on. Their faces look gloomy and worried. Surely you wouldn’t expect much hope from them! So you’d go elsewhere.

It’s not surprising that the principle criteria for God’s ambassadors is their WITNESS.

“Ye shall be my WITNESSES.”

I say, Let Christ shine in and through us. It will affect everything we do and say, and then we will definitely have something to offer!

Diane

one problem is, that this is a forum. We can't see each others actions, and be examples in the flesh.

another problem could be, sometimes that people think you are pounding them and all you are doing is sharing the word and pointing them to Christ/cross. Thats not negative, but it seems some people act like it is. Maybe the reason why some people feel like they are getting pounded, is because they are in the flesh. I'm not saying that there's never been times people are in error of pounding each other, but I think also some people may feel pounded because they are worldly and the truth offends them.

Negative and positive has so many meanings. Some people may think that encouraging each other in the cross is negative, but to others that is very positive. So maybe, the confusion/frustration at times could also be that we are not spiritual connected on the way of the cross. Does that make sense?

Also,like one poster said, sometimes you can't tell the attitude behind the post. But,definitely there are times you can!

Let us definetly be prayful and watchful always that we may speak to one another always in love.

You are absolutely right that this has been alot of the problem of newer people in the last few weeks posting many new threads that had to be addressed. This is part of the reason why things have felt as such of late also.

Newcomers (myself probably included here) will put a burden on the daily running of things, and that is good provided it bears positive fruit in the end. As Krispy pointed out there is a desire to see others come to a sound doctrine.

Personally I think there is profit in debating even erroneous topics provided it is done contructively and all participants are playing ball. The exercise should sharpen those who are firm in God's Word, "...as iron sharpens iron."

Firmness has it's place, even when it may come across as negative. I think strong cynicism on the other hand, is sign that we are loosing it and makes us appear as if we have run out of valid arguments. This may not alway be the case - others may not be playing ball leaving us frustrated, but in that case it is better to say so directly.

On the topic of negativeness as a whole, I think it can be brought into balance when it is measured against a definite goal. If we are primarily concerned with the furtherance of God's Kingdom, then negativeness is acceptable while it contributes to that aim. Warning someone of a dangerous doctrine with the aim of protecting their spiritual growth is an example of good "negativeness".

On the other hand I think many of the discussions on whether preacher X is innocent or guilty according to the "majority vote" often resembles a worldly gossip magazine to me and doesn't produce good fruit. Preacher X may be a serious man of God, with some of his doctrines out of place.

The time and effort would be better spent seeking revival in our own lives and then presenting the straight stick.

PassingThru

Edit - Corrected my grammar from late last night :-)

A tight rope walker once said it best when he said, "Balance is good!"

I know preachers personally who are always preaching about "the backslidden church, the lethargy of the church, no one is doing anything for God, weak sugar coating pulpiteers who have lulled the church to sleep."
All this may be true...but they somehow ignore the message of love, longsuffering and forgiveness. In fact, i've actually heard this exact quote from them, "People tell me that i need to preach more love. Like those love preachers. Here's love for ya' -love not the world niether the things in the world or the love of the father aint in ya'" Then the crowd claps thier hands and yells Amen!
there message could be titled..."Everyone but me!"
Because you know that when they are preaching "Nobody is pleasing God"...they obviously think they are. When they say...Nobody loves God or wants to win souls...They think they do! Nobody is doing the will of God (But me)!

Careful to us all lest pride take a place in our hearts...thus a place in our message!

Pride is the root that causes our soul to be unbalanced
:oops:

thanx for the response. :-)