To Tell, or To Hear Some New Thing

[Guest]

Now is as good a time as any...


To Tell, or To Hear Some New Thing

Acts 17:21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

Hesitation, is it fear of offending, rejection, reprisal, or insufficiency?

I’ve hesitated to post this because I knew I was implicating myself as much as anyone else. What do we do on social interaction web sites? We edify, right? Let’s hope that’s what we’re doing. If it isn’t to edify, then we need to examine motive. If the motive is wrong then we may need to verify we don’t have “an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.”

[John81]

I'm not sure what you mean by "social interaction websites".

If you mean like here on OB, I know I'm hear for fellowship, friendship, to be edified and hopefully to help edify others.

As Scripture says, we (Christians) are to bear one anothers burdens, teach and encourage one another, rejoice when one rejoices and weep with those who weep.

I'm thankful for the fine Christians brothers and sisters I've met here, for the opportunity to pray for others, for the prayers others have put forth when I've requested prayer, for all that I've learned, for excellent fellowship, friendship and sharing in Christ.

[Seth Doty]

Now is as good a time as any...


To Tell, or To Hear Some New Thing

Acts 17:21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

Hesitation, is it fear of offending, rejection, reprisal, or insufficiency?

I’ve hesitated to post this because I knew I was implicating myself as much as anyone else. What do we do on social interaction web sites? We edify, right? Let’s hope that’s what we’re doing. If it isn’t to edify, then we need to examine motive. If the motive is wrong then we may need to verify we don’t have “an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.”

I think the only problem was they were seeking the appearance of wisdom and trying to gain knowledge while having lost sight of the big picture. Nothing wrong with seeking "wisdom" or knowledge as the greeks were prone to do. It only becomes a problem if and when you elevate mans search for high knowledge and wisdom to the place that, in so doing, you miss what should be the obvious. Worshiping the creature more than the creator so to speak. Obviously this principle of being so caught up in the quest for deep knowledge and wisdom that what should be the basics are missed has broad application ranging everywhere from secular humanism to Christians on message boards like this one behaving in a unchristlike manner while trying to get their point across as I assume you are alluding to.

[JerryNumbers]

Sometimes we say things that's meant for good, but people take it for bad, take it the wrong way, & even misunderstand us

[John81]

I think the only problem was they were seeking the appearance of wisdom and trying to gain knowledge while having lost sight of the big picture. Nothing wrong with seeking "wisdom" or knowledge as the greeks were prone to do. It only becomes a problem if and when you elevate mans search for high knowledge and wisdom to the place that, in so doing, you miss what should be the obvious. Worshiping the creature more than the creator so to speak. Obviously this principle of being so caught up in the quest for deep knowledge and wisdom that what should be the basics are missed has broad application ranging everywhere from secular humanism to Christians on message boards like this one behaving in a unchristlike manner while trying to get their point across as I assume you are alluding to.

I know especially in my years in university, both as a student and working, there were many like these. The main problem is they didn't believe in absolute truth. Therefore, no matter what they learned, even if it was solid fact, they were skeptical of it and continually looking for anything that might prove it wrong or that would be some new thing to latch onto and then simply let go of the solid fact.

As you point out, this sort of searching for wisdom and knowledge isn't real. A true search for such, once real truth is learned it's accepted, adopted and built upon. The other form is more of a continual search for new theories with no real interest in learning absolute truth.

[Guest]

to Christians on message boards like this one behaving in a unchristlike manner while trying to get their point across as I assume you are alluding to.

No, I was speaking more of the "finding something to tell, sensationalize, or dramatize." Posting something to "stir the pot" or from boredom. A few headlines for example from CNN...


Could hackers seize control of your car?

Grandma a Cowboys cheerleader?

...there may well be something edifying within these stories, as long as the motive is right then it's probably fine. For instance, "Could hackers seize control of your car?" this could be information you need to avoid car theft. However, "Grandma a Cowboys cheerleader?" might be streached as edifying maybe uplifting to some. Maybe I'm all wet, it may depend on how you get your edification. Someone above may be an investigative reporter for auto industry issues and the other a reporter for the gossip column. If we post the latter for a reaction from folks then it isn't edifying or uplifting it's participation in gossip. However, the former headline may be important to people here we know of with potential for their car to be stolen.

[heartstrings]

To elaborate a little more on the Greeks...

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; I Corinthians 1:23
Greeks were interested in philosophy and science among other things. Just like evolutionists do today, they perceived Christianity as a Joke. The gods they did have were frivolous, fickle, selfish, liscencious characters of their own making.
Phillippians 3:19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
The Greeks gloried in their naked sculptures and their fornication etc. I believe Alexander the Great was supposed to have been a Sodomite himself. Instead of treating such things as a shame, they were proud of it, like the 'gays' are today. Even today, secular humanists exalt the Greeks in our public schools. The world is still looking for something new, new discoveries, new species and philosophies instead of God


This is the way it should be....
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. I Corinthians 14:26
O this forum, I see where people post music, poetry, doctrines, and interpretaions exactly like i Corinthians14:26 says. As to doctrines and interpretations, most often someone will disagree with what has been posted. Is that edifying? Sometimes yes. Because some interpretations are faulty. If the psalm, (no tongues please )revelation or interpretation is meant to edify God or others instead of self, then it is edifying. Some interpretations and doctrines may seem offensive to some but that doesn't change their truth nor negate or diminish their potential for edification, I guess in those cases, it's up to you whether you are edified or not.
I personally am not edified by things such as the "doctrines of grace' but, in a way they are beneficial because they make me get in the Word and study for myself.

[Guest]

To elaborate a little more on the Greeks...

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; I Corinthians 1:23
Greeks were interested in philosophy and science among other things. Just like evolutionists do today, they perceived Christianity as a Joke. The gods they did have were frivolous, fickle, selfish, liscencious characters of their own making.
Phillippians 3:19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
The Greeks gloried in their naked sculptures and their fornication etc. I believe Alexander the Great was supposed to have been a Sodomite himself. Instead of treating such things as a shame, they were proud of it, like the 'gays' are today. Even today, secular humanists exalt the Greeks in our public schools. The world is still looking for something new, new discoveries, new species and philosophies instead of God


This is the way it should be....
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. I Corinthians 14:26
O this forum, I see where people post music, poetry, doctrines, and interpretaions exactly like i Corinthians14:26 says. As to doctrines and interpretations, most often someone will disagree with what has been posted. Is that edifying? Sometimes yes. Because some interpretations are faulty. If the psalm, (no tongues please )revelation or interpretation is meant to edify God or others instead of self, then it is edifying. Some interpretations and doctrines may seem offensive to some but that doesn't change their truth nor negate or diminish their potential for edification, I guess in those cases, it's up to you whether you are edified or not.
I personally am not edified by things such as the "doctrines of grace' but, in a way they are beneficial because they make me get in the Word and study for myself.

Yes, this is more what I had in mind. Except maybe edify, I meant in the strictest sense of building up or strengthening a closer relationship with the Lord.

[heartstrings]

When someone enlightens another person with an interpretation of Bible doctrine and that doctrine is sound, the hearer can be edified and, yes, strengthened because that's our only way of knowing God's character, His promises, and His will. Sometimes a person comes to be edified because he/she is in a spiritual valley. Too many times I've seen too much tearing down going on without enough building up For instance, I've heard things like You'll never amount to anything for God until you "take your hands off your life". That kind of statement, by itself only served to send me a message that I was inadequate in some way.. because no explanation was EVER given as to what "taking your hands off your life" was. I've even gone to a pastor and ASKED and he appeared to be either incapable or reluctant to explain. I'm still waiting on the answer!

A rebuke is NOT edification unless the rebuker shows the rebukee what and HOW to deal with his problem. .What to do?(here's the edification part) Spend MORE time explaining to them how they can improve or do what is needed to remedy the problem at hand. Another chap came on this board telling how men have a problem with sexual sins or temptations but he was doing it without explaining what they could do about it; just kept mentioning it. That's what the Devil does too, He accuses the brethren, sometimes subtily, mind you, but he accuses just the same. The difference is: when GOD accuses, He gives the accused a way out...a remedy. People don't just come to church to worship...many come for HELP. Like it or not, if they didn't desperately want help, they wouldn't waste their time coming to listen. Sure, everyone has sins and faults...Please, by all means do point out those faults, then lovingly explain HOW to remedy those faults: That's edification..building up. If you don't know how to explain.....sit down

Edited March 2, 2012 by heartstrings

[John81]

To elaborate a little more on the Greeks...

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; I Corinthians 1:23
Greeks were interested in philosophy and science among other things. Just like evolutionists do today, they perceived Christianity as a Joke. The gods they did have were frivolous, fickle, selfish, liscencious characters of their own making.
Phillippians 3:19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
The Greeks gloried in their naked sculptures and their fornication etc. I believe Alexander the Great was supposed to have been a Sodomite himself. Instead of treating such things as a shame, they were proud of it, like the 'gays' are today. Even today, secular humanists exalt the Greeks in our public schools. The world is still looking for something new, new discoveries, new species and philosophies instead of God


This is the way it should be....
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. I Corinthians 14:26
O this forum, I see where people post music, poetry, doctrines, and interpretaions exactly like i Corinthians14:26 says. As to doctrines and interpretations, most often someone will disagree with what has been posted. Is that edifying? Sometimes yes. Because some interpretations are faulty. If the psalm, (no tongues please )revelation or interpretation is meant to edify God or others instead of self, then it is edifying. Some interpretations and doctrines may seem offensive to some but that doesn't change their truth nor negate or diminish their potential for edification, I guess in those cases, it's up to you whether you are edified or not.
I personally am not edified by things such as the "doctrines of grace' but, in a way they are beneficial because they make me get in the Word and study for myself.

As you say, if something drives us to the Word, then it's edifying.

Along with this, I was surprised to learn that the "doctrines of grace" was the historic position of Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Baptists. At least in England, not sure about elsewhere, and this didn't change until the late 1800s. The reference came up in a reading on a topic regarding Moody and his impact upon Christianity in Great Britain.

To the actual point of Moody, the more I learn of him and his ministry, the more I wonder why he's so revered among IFBs.

Swinging back to posts on OB, if I find a topic to not be edifying or to have some merit, I simply don't participate. If a topic I'm in becomes something non-beneficial, I leave.

Typically I learn something even in threads I find little or no agreement in.

Overall, I'm well pleased with OB. The worst part is when good weather prevails and nobody posts.

[John81]

When someone enlightens another person with an interpretation of Bible doctrine and that doctrine is sound, the hearer can be edified and, yes, strengthened because that's our only way of knowing God's character, His promises, and His will. Sometimes a person comes to be edified because he/she is in a spiritual valley. Too many times I've seen too much tearing down going on without enough building up For instance, I've heard things like You'll never amount to anything for God until you "take your hands off your life". That kind of statement, by itself only served to send me a message that I was inadequate in some way.. because no explanation was EVER given as to what "taking your hands off your life" was. I've even gone to a pastor and ASKED and he appeared to be either incapable or reluctant to explain. I'm still waiting on the answer!

A rebuke is NOT edification unless the rebuker shows the rebukee what and HOW to deal with his problem. .What to do?(here's the edification part) Spend MORE time explaining to them how they can improve or do what is needed to remedy the problem at hand. Another chap came on this board telling how men have a problem with sexual sins or temptations but he was doing it without explaining what they could do about it; just kept mentioning it. That's what the Devil does too, He accuses the brethren, sometimes subtily, mind you, but he accuses just the same. The difference is: when GOD accuses, He gives the accused a way out...a remedy. People don't just come to church to worship...many come for HELP. Like it or not, if they didn't desperately want help, they wouldn't waste their time coming to listen. Sure, everyone has sins and faults...Please, by all means do point out those faults, then lovingly explain HOW to remedy those faults: That's edification..building up. If you don't know how to explain.....sit down

That is a common problem. Many Christians fall into the habit of "sayings" which they believe all Christians understand. Many forget that not all of us are at the same level of spiritual maturity, we all may be more spiritually mature in one area and less in another, we may not be familiar with all Christian sayings or cliches, we are encountering something for the first time, etc.

This is also a problem with some Christians talking with non-Christians. It's easy to forget or not realize that not all lost folks don't understand things like repentance, born again, salvation, sin, etc.

I recall in university I noticed a Muslim continually get upset when Christians would talk about separation from the world. One day I had the opportunity so I asked him about that and found out it was simply a misunderstanding. To him, the world meant the earth, trees, air, animals, etc. He didn't understand the biblical meaning Christians were using. Once I explained it to him he understood and all those "crazy" things he'd heard said before began to at least make some sense.

[heartstrings]

That is a common problem. Many Christians fall into the habit of "sayings" which they believe all Christians understand. Many forget that not all of us are at the same level of spiritual maturity, we all may be more spiritually mature in one area and less in another, we may not be familiar with all Christian sayings or cliches, we are encountering something for the first time, etc.

This is also a problem with some Christians talking with non-Christians. It's easy to forget or not realize that not all lost folks don't understand things like repentance, born again, salvation, sin, etc.

I recall in university I noticed a Muslim continually get upset when Christians would talk about separation from the world. One day I had the opportunity so I asked him about that and found out it was simply a misunderstanding. To him, the world meant the earth, trees, air, animals, etc. He didn't understand the biblical meaning Christians were using. Once I explained it to him he understood and all those "crazy" things he'd heard said before began to at least make some sense.

There you go! See,that wasn't hard. Now could you explain to me how, or how to succeed at "take your hands off your life"?

[John81]

There you go! See,that wasn't hard. Now could you explain to me how, or how to succeed at "take your hands off your life"?

I don't know that I've heard it put that way, but my quess would be they are meaning to submit ourselves to Christ ruling our lives. We are called upon to put ourselves aside and follow Christ fully. That begins with obeying His Word in all things and grows from there.

We know God tells us not to commit adultery. If we are tempted to commit adultery we have two choices, follow Christ or follow our flesh. Our flesh will lead us to go for immediate pleasure while Christ will lead us to not give into sin.

This we must extend to all aspects of our lives. Are we tempted to lie because it would be convenient...are we angry with someone because they got a promotion we wanted...will we help with the summer camp we fell the Holy Ghost prompting us to help with or will we go on that fishing trip we would rather do.

In our daily lives we encounter any number of decisions we have to make and we have to decide if we are going to be governed by our own selfish natures, or at times the wiles of the devil, or are we going to follow Christ.

This is a lifetime challenge and something we have to decide continually.

That's rough idea of what they probably mean, but maybe they mean something else. If someone is telling you this and they don't explain, perhaps you could ask them to explain what they mean and how to go about it.

[Seth Doty]

No, I was speaking more of the "finding something to tell, sensationalize, or dramatize." Posting something to "stir the pot" or from boredom. A few headlines for example from CNN...

In that case, unless it can fit under the category of Philippians 4:8 or Hebrews 10:24, I would agree with you that such things are not right either.

[heartstrings]

I agree with all of that, John81. As I said, I asked for an explanation and got none.
I'm a business owner, howbeit a not so successful one these days it seems. I have to actively market my products, make purchasing decisions, learn new software, deal with clients, Much of my work has to do with mechanical drawings, graphics design, robotic tool setup and hundreds of other tasks which take intense concentration. I have to admit; God is also not in my thoughts when I'm concentrating on compiling a quotation for a prospect or client where one math mistake could make the difference between not getting the job at all, or losing my shirt on it.. Not only that, I have no one to tell me what my next move is going to be. In that respect, sometimes being self employed is not all it's cracked up to be because my job alone forces me to take the initiative on pretty much everything. A few months ago, work got so slow that I went job hunting. . I consider that a "hands on" move as well because I had to take the initiative in that situation.Didn't get a job but I tried. Now I'm in the process of dealing with the state, county, and a structural engineer, to try to break into the outdoor advertising business. I'm just dense I guess because I still don't get it. I have to keep my 'hands on' for now.