Responding to the positive thinkers

How does a Christian properly respond to those who are adamant about pushing forth positive thinking? Usually philosophy from Buddhism and even quotes from Wayne Dyer. Words that sound 'wonderful' and sometimes have a flirtation with spiritual things but staying away from it.

I have an acquaintance on Facebook who is into juicing, taking to a business and hardcore into the positive thinking stuff. I constantly look for ways to rebuttal what she says but with grace and without religious and I am finding it very hard.

She doesn't like to have conversation on negative stuff or entertain a difference of opinion. It is 'I have my belief and you have yours' She has gone on to state that she wants her kid to respect all religions ( while really believing in none except positivism).

Has anyone had experience with this?
It seems it has become a pet peeve of mine because of the slope of deception is so subtle that it really angers me deep inside but I am so careful in my approach. Being that others view the conversations I want to say something to sow the seed while informing all of her friends (mostly women) that positivism is ok but left alone it is am empty soul.

Hmmm...males want tattoos and women want positive thinking...any difference, ya reckon? It is just words and/or ink is it not? Or, do they matter? Apparently so or else you would not be concerned...

Feminist females like no input from males; males do not like input from females...SIGH No one wants to learn anything from anybody that contracts their ideas. Depending on your religion, philosophical bent you are discredited. Ah, got a problem, don't we?

Maybe one can take lessons from the book of Jeremiah. Look at chapter 1:

(The call)1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,:
And before you were born I consecrated you;
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

(The mission) 1:10: “See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, To pluck up and to break down, To destroy and to overthrow, To build and to plant.”

(The response)7:27: “You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you; and you shall call to them, but they will not answer you.

(Your attitude towards their rebellion) 7:16: “As for you, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you.

Ok, so God told Jeremiah to continue preaching to the people but do not bother to pray for them. God is aware of their sin - he does not need you to inform Him. All you can do is preach. But is this message applicable today to us moderns? Fair question. Somehow, I sense a lesson in this that we do well to take to heart. And it all begins by the Believer listening to the voice of the Spirit.

My insight...

Interesting thoughts. Although it doesn't technically answer my question I like the thought flow involved in it.

In this specific case this lady seems as if she is wanting to be a guru and get people to rally behind her. She is doing a juicing class and charges people to come and learn about to juice. She brags about her kid liking to eat the good foods. That is because the kid doesn't have a chance to eat junk. But what concerns me is the positivism she has through using quotes from people on how to achieve self fulfillment by thinking good thoughts and rising about negativity.

It all sounds so good but I know there is a vacuum there. I once made a reference to the case that through the human potential philosophy she is living by there should also be a spiritual element involving God in there as well. She never responded.

Positive thinking doesn't divide whereas religiosity does. This is the wall---- how to break it down to give positive thinking a real reality check? It is quicksand in my book.

You preach the gospel. To those who are perishing the Christian is the odor of death so there is no way to talk about these things without being perceived as negative. If she is open to learning about a religions here is an interesting fact you can research yourself and then ask her. Every religion on the planet, even Islam and Judaism teach that humanity at their core are ok and have the capacity to redeem themselves through religious observances and works. True, biblical Christianity is the only faith on the planet that declares humanity as sinful from birth and cannot reform but needs death and resurrection. So really there are only two faiths on the earth. One that believes we are fundamentally ok and one that believes we are fundamentally lost. Explore that with her. The gospel is the power of God to salvation. Stick to that

Post-Modernism. Ugh. You have your truth and I have my truth. Both are equally valid, so long as it is true for you. It's the bane of our society.

I have never succeeded in engaging someone with post-modern views using any tactics--only the Gospel. The issue is not that they are too positive or that they are too tolerant. Their issue is that they have not believed the Gospel. Give her scriptures that tell her the truth. Regardless whether or not they sound religious or christiany. This life has everything to do with eternity, whether they believe it or not. The most loving thing you can do for a person is tell them the truth, in love. Don't sugar coat it. Just give her the Gospel. If she rejects it, and you did it out of love and in the power of the Spirit, then you have not done wrong.

When life ends and we appear before the great white throne the only person we have to give account for is ourselves. We are called to faithfulness. How others respond is between them and God. Simple. But their refusal to listen vexes a body to no end. I know.

John, if you are asking for specific words in how to counter this lady's philosophy, it won't work. The only words that will impact her is what the Holy Spirit will tell you to say. Just ask the LORD what you can say and see how He will lead you. It will be more profound then anything you could have imagined. (This has been my experience.)

God bless.

What I am steering toward is taking positivity and spinning it in a way that brings God into the picture. There is a great gulf between human potential movement and that of God. I want to use her words to close the gap and show that God needs to be that end result of what she is striving for and not the human potential movement.

She is on high right now with creating her own juicing brand, joining a local business meeting lunches, eating as a vegan and 'eating' quotes from people who seek to inspire people to their own greatness. I know there is a way to use this as a springboard to connect God as the final missing piece and that is the approach I am trying to figure out without causing her to retreat hard.

You have to be careful not to fall into pragmatism. There is no way to bridge the gap or spin what she has to get her to see the truth of what you are saying. By nature she is an enemy of God and hostile to the truth and her response to the gospel is not dependent on your ability but on God and your rightly dividing the word of truth. She is blinded by Satan and that is not a negative view it is her spiritual reality and only the light of the gospel will penetrate that darkness. Paul said his speech and preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom but in the demonstration of the spirit and of power that our faith be not in human wisdom but the power of God. You ask her how she deals with her sin before a Holy God and how she responds will direct where she needs light from Gods word. Don't trust in your words or technique trust in His word and power. If she backpedals that is between her and God. Have faith in Him through prayer and the power of the gospel.

BroRaymond

Here is the rational in my thinking. Is it better to give her the Gospel message point blank or bring in the concept of God and work my way to the Gospel with her? My rational is the latter.

I think of my friend who was part of the positive confession movement. She could not listen to anything negative and that included someone confronting her about false doctrine of someone who she admired. She eventually died from cancer. With my thinking, if I can open the door to this lady about God, in a generic way and work my way to Jesus it may make for a better transition.

What do you think?
John

You cannot open the door...only The Lord can. Preaching the gospel is a double edged sword. We are called to be loving and faithful not pragmatic. Praying and pleading with tears and fervency will be more effective that any technique. If she rejects the Son she will stand condemned. Let it stir your heart. Do not supplant Gods mechanism of salvation for your own. I appreciate your heart and desire to see people saved. Yet sometimes he gospel is sent so that all may stand silent before God and you rightly dividing the word of truth to her will leave her without excuse. Let your other experience motivate you to the urgency of the issue and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you words. It cannot come out of your intellect but love...and tears knowing she will spend an eternity separate from God in hell. Let it shake you, move you and earnestly plead with be from the scripture alone. She says she is not a sinner, show her what the word says about her state and let her wrestle with God not you. She says she does not believe in the judgment, show her. Gods word is power. I understand your heart and commend you but ask God to place eternity in your heart so you can plead with tears. I have had multiple people die in horrible ways this year who I know. Time is short. Be faithful and let God deal with the results. Thank you for honoring me by asking my counsel. I am a worm and no man. Let the spirit of God fill you with wisdom, love, and power.

DEADn wrote:
With my thinking, if I can open the door to this lady about God, in a generic way and work my way to Jesus it may make for a better transition.

And here is another take on it:

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. — Luke 13:6–9, KJV

God bless,
Lisa

Just an observation on Jeremiah... I'm not saying that Jeremiah is wrong but had Jesus followed ONLY the teachings of Jeremiah and not prayed for the unbelieving Jews, I daresay the blind would not have seen, nor would the dead have lived or the lame walked. And look at all the converts He would have missed!

God bless,
Lisa

One of the most important lessons that I have learned so far in life: Being so convinced that your way is the only way that you close yourself off from learning about other ways can actually shield you from your own truth. The most expensive thing you own is a closed mind. ‪#‎alwayslearning‬ ‪#‎always‬ growing

This quote was posted by the person who I originally referred to in this thread. I have responded already but how you would respond, if at all, to someone posting this?

Ive been following this thread and thinking about all the people I've spoken with who seemed to hold the positive thinker belief. I've had a friend for years who was brought up in the Church of Scientology- and she also had strong beliefs that eating right was the key to being well in all areas of life. I saw my friend as she aged and every ailment she got she blamed on what she took into her body. Sometimes I just didnt know what to say to her. I would tell her that I didn't know how to respond to her arguments, that I believed in the God of the bible and that I knew one thing for sure: that the bible said that all men are appointed a time to die and then the judgement. Even the most health conscious person get sick from time to time and in the end they die... and I would ask her in a rhetoric manner, "what is God going to judge us on?"
Of course, I know the answer, but I was always hoping it would cause her to think deeper.

I believe the definition of truth = original information.

We must be fully persuaded that Jesus Christ is the only Way, Truth, and the Life. Yet, we are encouraged to learn about the other so called ways... like the Apostle Paul did with the Jews, Greeks, Romans and others... he understood their way and was able to win many to Christ.

The Bible has more positive information than any other book on the earth. Time would not allow me to post all but here are few you could sometimes post on your facebook page knowing that the person might read them.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Matthew 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, 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.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

2Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Corinthians 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Ephesians 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren.

Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
1Thessalonians 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

1Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore

Glory to the GOD and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ! To Him be glory both now and throughout eternity, world without end. Amen!

pq*

PQ

Rather long post there. Can you sum it up for the thread? How do you respond to positive thinkers? They tend to steer away from negativity as well as narrow mindedness. I am somewhat of a positive thinker but in my case what I do is push the negative into something of a challenge. Kind of a mind freak and then use the situation as a learning tool for me but also for others around me. I am not pie in the sky though attitude.

The original person that I have intended of this post is the kind who takes wisdom from all walks of life while using the art of meditation on 'positive' thoughts for her mental energy.

Her quote:

One of the most important lessons that I have learned so far in life: Being so convinced that your way is the only way that you close yourself off from learning about other ways can actually shield you from your own truth. The most expensive thing you own is a closed mind. ‪#‎alwayslearning‬ ‪#‎always‬ growing

My response is this

As well as accepting everything means a person will fall for anything. Somewhere along the road of life each person has to have a foundation of which to judge what is correct and incorrect because all roads in life do not lead to the truths of life even though many resemble the way.

I know I won't get a like or a comment on it. Matter of fact I bet I get readers to roll their eyes at my comment yet what do you think about my comment?

Positive thinking is a religion, its definition of faith differs from Biblical faith in that:

Biblical Faith is : God first speaks and then those whom have the ears to hear believing what God has spoken.

Posititve thinking teaches faith as being man imagining something and than him believing that image as reality, and it somehow becoming his reality.

totally the opposite

Hi John,

Are you familiar with Greg Koulk's book 'Tactics'. I think you will find this helpful. http://www.amazon.com/Tactics-Game-Discussing-Christian-Convictions/dp/0310282926/ref=sr_sp-btf_image_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375085623&sr=1-7&keywords=tactics+-

He is a Christian apologist and very good at engaging with people who are very opposed to the gospel. This book deals with how to effectively interact with people who express very firm views against the gospel, basically by asking questions to make them consider what they are saying or have not even considered.

Here's a small excerpt:
" Challenge: “Christianity is basically the same as all other religions. The main similarity is love. We shouldn’t tell others how to live or believe.”
Response: How much have you studied other religions to compare the details and find a common theme? Why would the similarities be more important than the differences? I’m curious, what do you think Jesus’ own attitude was on this issue? Did he think all religions were basically equal? Isn’t telling people to love one another just another example of telling them how they should live and believe?

Koukl, Gregory (2009-05-26). Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions (p. 44). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

HeyDave

This books sounds like it would be a good compliment to 'Hells best kept secret' as well?

The key with 'positive' thinkers is steering their thinking around to showing that now all things in life are good but showing this without a negative format. Call it constructive criticism because positive thinkers don't like criticism or even harsh criticism. It is all about keeping that glow about them and being energetic.