Preaching in anger, in love. in conviction or in hatred

I have noticed on this board, as well as a few other boards that I frequent which has a religious sect in it that I find Christians using scripture in just a weird way. Instead of laying a foundation for others on truth scripture seems to laid out in anger and even hatred whether intentional or not.

Seeking to preach the truth in love I fear many Christians are using to preach in anger or even hatred while getting themselves caught up in the politics of the day. I have even seen some Christians confront others telling them to calm down a bit as a result.

Paul Washer even spoke to this in one of his messages says that people have told him that he speaks with too much anger. He doesn't mean to be so angry but his passion tends to drive him that way. I fear this for the average passion Christian as well. I often think it is only A reason why some leave this board and want to tell others why they are leaving it.

I am careful with what thing I say when it comes to any religious board because hearts are defensive on all sides. If I use scripture I don't want to use it in a spiteful way but one to emphasize the thoughts I am putting across. I know some like to use scripture upon scripture to give evidence but in doing so some unknowingly cause strife because of the attitude behind the postings.

More and more I hear people say that Christians are an angry bunch and they should show more love towards others and not bible bash so much. Would you agree? What does that kind of love even look like? Does it look like giving someone scripture all the time because 'IT IS THE TRUTH'? I don't think it is. I think it is giving an hear to anothers voice and then sharing things from the bible without throwing verse after verse to them.

This is a major concern of mine for I see it in discussion forums and I also hear some of it in some Christian radio and I really want to back away from it all and ask Are you "really following after God's heart?" After all, Jesus rebuke the Pharisees for their attitudes while spending His time with the lost sheep.

John

The Word of God can be an instrument of death. It is a sword, and a sword can be used for both good and evil. Not only this, it is a double-edged sword. This means it cuts two ways: when used in fleshly agendas, it falls back on the one who wields it to open their own flesh - meaning, it exposes hypocrisy. When you see "angry" Christians waving the sword in debate, they are cutting and consuming each other while flaying open their own fleshly ambition for all to see.

The flesh bleeds pride. When someone is proud, touting Bible verses as proof texts, you can recognize the blood of their exposed flesh by their own arrogance. The double-edged sword is laying back into them as they slice into others. The Word of God is truly an amazing thing.

Brother Paul

P.S. When you see this type of behavior, it is good to identify it for what it is. It is not a reason to abandon Christian forums, as there will always be this kind of stuff to deal with as long as the Lord tarries. The key is to recognize it, know it for what it is and where it comes from, avoid it, and provide the opposite example which is birthed in humility and compassion. God will take of the rest.

Gentle Jesus meek and mild embraced small children with his gentle arms and surely spoke friendly words to them.

He also used those arms to overturn the money changer's tables. The scripture "Zeal for thy House consumes Me!" comes into play here, because passion reachs out with extra noise, extra emotion, extra action.

Nothing to fear here, I prefer it to apathy which we have in abundance. Arrogance and rudeness are different though, and I agree that we see those elements from time to time- even here. If you believe you are reading something that qualifies, drop a gentle confrontation into the thread. Sometimes you will get thoughtful clarification, sometimes a rebuff.

Doesn't hurt to get your skin toughened a bit!

Sharpen that iron with a little iron of your own!