scrutinized...because you're a Christian

[Christ_empowered]

This has happened and is happening to me now. I finally had the sense to come to repentance about 1 year ago (to be fair, I had 2 rounds of hardcore, involuntary ECT...kinda made it difficult...).

Now, the past is being thrown in my face. You were (sodomite, junky, etc.). You chain smoke (I know, I need to quit). You were (xyz).

Has this happened to you, or other Christians you know?

 

[Gary]

It used to happen to me all the time. Not so much anymore.

Just stand your ground. When they bring up things you used to do, just agree with them. You used to do those things but you don't anymore.

My response to some of the "you used to" comments were, "You used to wet the bed, do you still do that?" or "You used to pick your nose and eat it, do you still do that?" If I personally know the people, I would bring up something embarrassing that they used to do and ask if they still did that. Don't be cruel or rude. Just say enough to let them know that what they're saying doesn't bother you. (even if it does, don't let it show)

People that throw your past in your face are usually doing so out of jealousy for what you have. Sometimes it can be really mean spirited, but don't let them rattle your cage. If they can see that their words are having no effect on you, they usually leave you alone. They're just bullies. They do what they do to get a reaction.

Don't react.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Good call.

 

[Gary]

Good call.

Thanks.

 

[Obadiah]

...My response to some of the "you used to" comments were, "You used to wet the bed, do you still do that?" or "You used to pick your nose and eat it, do you still do that?"

You actually just made me look forward to the next time someone plays the "you used to..." game with me!

 

[Kathi]

It used to happen to me all the time. Not so much anymore.

Just stand your ground. When they bring up things you used to do, just agree with them. You used to do those things but you don't anymore.

My response to some of the "you used to" comments were, "You used to wet the bed, do you still do that?" or "You used to pick your nose and eat it, do you still do that?" If I personally know the people, I would bring up something embarrassing that they used to do and ask if they still did that. Don't be cruel or rude. Just say enough to let them know that what they're saying doesn't bother you. (even if it does, don't let it show)

People that throw your past in your face are usually doing so out of jealousy for what you have. Sometimes it can be really mean spirited, but don't let them rattle your cage. If they can see that their words are having no effect on you, they usually leave you alone. They're just bullies. They do what they do to get a reaction.

Don't react.

 

[Kathi]

I am sorry but that is funny.

 

[Gary]

You actually just made me look forward to the next time someone plays the "you used to..." game with me!

Just kidding...............be nice.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I gotta toughen up a little bit, I guess. Not to give you all my bio or anything, but... I had 2 rounds of heavy, intensive, *involuntary* electroshock, 20 and 23. I'm 29 now, and The Lord has brought/is bringing me back to life (sans a lot of memories, lol). Its like...I get to have a whole new personality, kinda like Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, only Christian.

Basic life skills would, of course, include knowing how to handle bullying and that kinda stuff. :

 

[Gary]

I gotta toughen up a little bit, I guess. Not to give you all my bio or anything, but... I had 2 rounds of heavy, intensive, *involuntary* electroshock, 20 and 23. I'm 29 now, and The Lord has brought/is bringing me back to life (sans a lot of memories, lol). Its like...I get to have a whole new personality, kinda like Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, only Christian.

Basic life skills would, of course, include knowing how to handle bullying and that kinda stuff. :

Sometimes all it takes is a smile as you turn and walk away.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Good stuff! See, real life skills...that's what I need.

 

[Kathi]

I have a very special friend and he always says "Don't look back in that mirror it only brings guilt,grief and unhappiness".

 

[farouk]

I have a very special friend and he always says "Don't look back in that mirror it only brings guilt,grief and unhappiness".

Paul said: 'Forgetting those things that are behind, I press forward toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 3.14).

Blessings.

 

[Karl]

May I ask, "What would Jesus do?" He was accused all of His life of being a bastard, did He retaliate or did He probably heal, feed and teach those very ones that had been calling Him names sometime during His ministry?

He knows what you are going through because He suffered with the same thing, so if we are being conformed into His image then He is the One allowing these tests to come into your life, personally, if is was me, 2 Cor 5:17 and 1 Cor 6:11 are two verses that I would use to restore my peace and use against the fiery darts of the devil. Eph 6:13-18 and if you do this you will be resisting the devil and he will flee from you James 4:7, just remember, they aren't attacking you, in actually they are attacking Jesus they see in you.

Your peace is your most important possession you have here on earth, don't let the devil or his minions use people to steal it from you.

Blessings,

Gene

 

[Obadiah]

i was thinking about this thread today and realized it's actually been a very long time since anyone has said something like "But you used to...) to me. I must have lived a pretty boring and mundane life.

 

[Kathi]

I think that the unbelievers look at us and think of their sins and their eternity.It makes them nervous.

 

[Obadiah]

I think that the unbelievers look at us and think of their sins and their eternity.It makes them nervous.

You know that's a good point and I think it's true, but it makes me wonder... If they are worried about their sins and their eternity, then they must believe in the Bible because that's where those concepts come from. So If they believe in the Bible, why do they have such a hard time believing in and accepting the forgiveness through Christ that the Bible says we have been offered?

Yeah, I know that's a rhetorical question. Maybe the real question is how can we do a better job of getting them to see this?

 

[Gary]

You know that's a good point and I think it's true, but it makes me wonder... If they are worried about their sins and their eternity, then they must believe in the Bible because that's where those concepts come from. So If they believe in the Bible, why do they have such a hard time believing in and accepting the forgiveness through Christ that the Bible says we have been offered?

Yeah, I know that's a rhetorical question. Maybe the real question is how can we do a better job of getting them to see this?

1 Corinthians 3
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.


It's not up to us to convince them. We are merely sowers of the Word. It is the Lord who does the actual calling.

The parable of the sower is an excellent example of this.

 

[evenifigoalone]

It's only happened to me on the internet, and usually when debating with non-Christians or receiving a comment on something controversial that I posted or said. Some people can be really nasty about simply having different beliefs. Mostly been some kinda militant atheist who has this superior attitude towards any Christian or theists in general.