What's new
By:
Filters
Christian Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Mean-Spirited “Christiansâ€

E

elijah23

Guest
Jesus Christ commanded us to love one another. Are mean-spirited people who call themselves Christians really Christians?
 
elijah23 said:
Jesus Christ commanded us to love one another. Are mean-spirited people who call themselves Christians really Christians?
Click to expand...

I don't think so...I can't understand how one could. When you are a Christian you are a follower of Christ. A Christian is to honor that name so it is a contradiction to have a mean spirit and follow Christ. I do see some who "label" themselves but their outward actions and speech is otherwise. :yes
 
I would agree but sometimes it seems people think others are mean-spirited when they are really just the opposite. There have been many times in my life when I have been taken the wrong way. I don't know if it was the way I looked at them or the sound of my voice but it has always baffled me when it happened.

We are also to be careful not to judge.
 
WIP said:
I would agree but sometimes it seems people think others are mean-spirited when they are really just the opposite. There have been many times in my life when I have been taken the wrong way. I don't know if it was the way I looked at them or the sound of my voice but it has always baffled me when it happened.

We are also to be careful not to judge.
Click to expand...


WIP-if my last statement sounded like I was judging it was not meant in that manner. Maybe it was taken the wrong way...:). Just from some of my past experiences I have seen people leaving the church and cussing at others to get out of their way because they couldn't get out of the parking lot fast enough...just one example.
 
BornAgain said:
A Christian is to honor that name so it is a contradiction to have a mean spirit and follow Christ. I do see some who "label" themselves but their outward actions and speech is otherwise. :yes
Click to expand...
Yes. And the truth is we have no Biblical obligation to regard them as a believer. Christ said if someone will not reconcile with you treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector (IOW, an unbeliever...someone outside the kingdom of God).

That doesn't mean we're condemning them to hell. It means we have to conduct ourselves accordingly. But I also think there is a danger in mishandling our Biblical right to consider someone a brother or sister or not based on their character. The more we grow and mature in Christian character the better we will be able to discern other people's character.
 
That is pretty funny and true. Sharing the truth so it can be received takes a lot of practice and consideration especially when we know it cuts across a persons' values.

Sometimes I have a 'bad' day and can be a bit short, a 'jerk' in my own special broken way. Some people come across pretty coarsely all the time. I think a person should be progressing towards being more kind, compassionate, generous, patient, and mannerly. Depending on the person whom I am interacting with, they may be further back on that road but still be making progress. My own character formation helps to give room for others to grow and mature. A consistent jerk with no forward progress isn't too interested in becoming Christ like.
 
Jared said:
I think a person should be progressing towards being more kind, compassionate, generous, patient, and mannerly. Depending on the person whom I am interacting with, they may be further back on that road but still be making progress. My own character formation helps to give room for others to grow and mature. A consistent jerk with no forward progress isn't too interested in becoming Christ like.
Click to expand...
Yes. This is exactly what tells me someone can be trusted as a brother/ sister...progress, not perfection. Which is probably one of the hardest things to explain to a finger pointing, judgmental unbeliever who likes to point out the failures of church people.

"8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:8 NASB)
 
Great scripture to quote.

I really like your name choice, Jethro Bodine.

I trained as a classical guitarist as a young man. I had a full scholarship to study at a university when I was a freshman in high school. I since have branched out but still thoroughly enjoy some good country and bluegrass. I teach a small string orchestra and individual lessons for violin, viola and cello. Music is one of my passions. I have enjoyed an encouraging pastor who has opened the door for me to teach music history once a month as part of our Sunday service. There is an amazing richness to the places, purpose, expression, and theology behind the history of Christian music.
 
I think the track this thread is taking is great.

Often people have been trained from an early age to control their surroundings with certain actions and reactions. Those things can come off as "mean-spirited" to other people trained differently.

It's a tough thing to get beyond that. It's a tough thing just to be convinced that Jesus has a different way.
 
Jared said:
Great scripture to quote.

I really like your name choice, Jethro Bodine.

I trained as a classical guitarist as a young man. I had a full scholarship to study at a university when I was a freshman in high school. I since have branched out but still thoroughly enjoy some good country and bluegrass. I teach a small string orchestra and individual lessons for violin, viola and cello. Music is one of my passions. I have enjoyed an encouraging pastor who has opened the door for me to teach music history once a month as part of our Sunday service.
Click to expand...
When I get a chance I'll change my avatar to a pic of my Ibanez GA6CE classical guitar. I actually prefer to play my classical guitar. When, and if, I ever get a web cam to work on my computer I'll send you a little snippet.

It's funny, but a few years ago I used to improvise lead guitar for the youth band on my classical guitar plugged into a Blondie acoustic amp. It was loads of fun but eventually I got drowned out too much by their lust for loud and furious, lol. God bless 'em.

If I had to summarize the style of playing I prefer this clip of Dan Holloway would represent it the closest. I always struggled to associate my tastes with someone people would recognize and when I found him on youtube a few months ago I knew I'd found it.

http://youtu.be/BIK_lAPfv_M



Jared said:
There is an amazing richness to the places, purpose, expression, and theology behind the history of Christian music.
Click to expand...
Unless I misunderstood, I was amazed that essentially the western world enjoys the music we do today because of the church. Music careers of the great musicians centered around the church.

Thanks for sharing!
 
Jethro Bodine said:
When I get a chance I'll change my avatar to a pic of my Ibanez GA6CE classical guitar. I actually prefer to play my classical guitar. When, and if, I ever get a web cam to work on my computer I'll send you a little snippet.

It's funny, but a few years ago I used to improvise lead guitar for the youth band on my classical guitar plugged into a Blondie acoustic amp. It was loads of fun but eventually I got drowned out too much by their lust for loud and furious, lol. God bless 'em.

If I had to summarize the style of playing I prefer this clip of Dan Holloway would represent it the closest. I always struggled to associate my tastes with someone people would recognize and when I found him on youtube a few months ago I knew I'd found it.

http://youtu.be/BIK_lAPfv_M




Unless I misunderstood, I was amazed that essentially the western world enjoys the music we do today because of the church. Music careers of the great musicians centered around the church.

Thanks for sharing!
Click to expand...


Very nice guitar work. I would enjoy hearing you play. Yes, the Church is responsible for the beauty, structure, and development of Western music. As I become more familiar with the forum I'll try to post about some of this richness.

Sorry for the tangent....
 
BornAgain said:
WIP-if my last statement sounded like I was judging it was not meant in that manner. Maybe it was taken the wrong way...:). Just from some of my past experiences I have seen people leaving the church and cussing at others to get out of their way because they couldn't get out of the parking lot fast enough...just one example.
Click to expand...

-Sounds like the sermon hit a sore spot. Perhaps the Holy Spirit convicted him of sin. Our pastor says people call him yelling that someone must have told him everything that is going on in their lives! One person complained that he talked too much about sin. (He teaches the Bible verse by verse through a Book.)

Not everyone in church is a Christian. Some are back slidden. Some are baby Christians that are really rough around the edges. Or it is possible that the person was having a horrible time in their lives such as deaths in the family after losing a job--that caused him to momentarily revert to a former life style. We never know for sure But this persons actions should be enough to tell us to pray for him that God would meet his need.
 
Carolyn said:
-Sounds like the sermon hit a sore spot. Perhaps the Holy Spirit convicted him of sin. Our pastor says people call him yelling that someone must have told him everything that is going on in their lives! One person complained that he talked too much about sin. (He teaches the Bible verse by verse through a Book.)

Not everyone in church is a Christian. Some are back slidden. Some are baby Christians that are really rough around the edges. Or it is possible that the person was having a horrible time in their lives such as deaths in the family after losing a job--that caused him to momentarily revert to a former life style. We never know for sure But this persons actions should be enough to tell us to pray for him that God would meet his need.
Click to expand...

I want to thank you for that. I forget sometimes to take into consideration what is going on in their lives for them to act like that. I just read something this morning how the Spirit convicts a person in the church assembly and thinks the minister is speaking to them. (I will find it and post it later). I have had that happen to me before....I was stunned and thought somebody told him something about me, so I know all about conviction.

That is a good reminder to live by instead of reacting to a persons actions and have compassion and pray for them. Thank you!
 
elijah23 said:
Jesus Christ commanded us to love one another. Are mean-spirited people who call themselves Christians really Christians?
Click to expand...

I am not a Christian based on how I act and how I behave. I'm a Christian based on the blood shed at Calvary. I gave my life to Christ long ago, as a young child. Mostly I have walked the path, but not always. I have been "mean" to people, even people whom I dearly love. So if you see someone acting mean, pray for them, talk with them, witness to them. Maybe they are indeed Christian and are desperately seeking a brother or sister to show them, all over, the love of Christ.

Bottom line: I never make assumptions based on others' salvation, regardless of how they behave. I'm certain that some of the most pious people are actually quite wicked down deep in their hearts, but only God truly knows a man's heart. Even the devil can appear as an angel of light. So the reverse of your concern is also in effect.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top