Food for Thought
 

What should our response be, as Christians, when someone fails?

Proverbs 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

This scripture not only addresses actions, but attitude; don't be secretly smug or happy about it when your enemy makes a mistake or "falls."

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Our response should be rather to restore such a person in a spirit of meekness, knowing that we're all made of the same fallible flesh.

Further, don't do anything that would put an obstacle in a person's way to recovery, rehabilitation or repentance.

Be a hand reaching out, not the foot pressing a person's head to the floor.

Re: Food for Thought
 

This is beautiful and so well stated that I would be interested in hearing you say more on the topic. Well done!

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You are right, of course.

However, when you have been horribly hurt by the one who has fallen it's very hard not to want vengeance.

I know that is not politically or theologically correct, but it's the truth.

Pray for me.

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It depends somewhat on the circumstance. Say my enemy fails in his plot to cause me harm. I would rejoice in that case.

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Amen!!

Hard at times to swallow, but exactly what we should do.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified (Post 1023089) What should our response be, as Christians, when someone fails?

Post it on Facebook and AFF! Just kidding... Couldn't resist! :heeheehee

I agree with what you said! Very well stated!

Been Thinkin

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I'm saddened by those who see Old Time Pentecost as a hard way, full of rules and regulations, restrictive and binding. There is nothing restrcitive about God's wonderful grace that carries us through every trial and hurt. We aren't saying, "Serve God and you can't do antyhing", we're saying, "Lay down the heavy burdens of sin and be free!" Some like to see the forbidden things as a bondage when they're told not to participate in those things. But do lay aside those worldly things is to truly be free! Praise God! Come, be restored, live in His grace, the grace that removes me from the world!

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God's grace.....amen! Sometimes, man doesn't understand that grace and find it their job to restrict. I'd rather say following God's old ways are the best!

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Amen, and remember but for the grace of God, such are we.

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I agree with both MissB and your added thought...:thumbsup

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Good grief, it wasn't THAT good. Do you have a crush on her or what?

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REpulsive. I won't even dignify that with a response.

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And He loves us so much he restores our souls. Think about that for a minute.

Restores: to bring back to, or put back into a former or original state.

It's very humbling.

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That is our human nature, definitely.

One of the hardest parts of being a Christian, though, is turning those feelings over to the Lord and not letting them gain root in your heart.

I've lived this, I know exactly how hard it is.

I *deserved* vengeance. But I didn't need what vengeance, or even the satisfaction of seeing them hurt, would do to me. So I had to let it go.

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???????

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I had a pastor for many years who would warn us from the pulpit not to look at the failures of others and be condescending about it. He pointed out that all of us are capable of anything without God directing our steps.

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Great advice - - I too lived it, but chose to take the high road.

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Touchy, touchy. Just thought I'd ask. I've mostly been reading lately and haven't posted much. My intention was to stay silent for a few more weeks, but all I've been reading today is how great you think Miss Brat is.

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Well, for goodness sakes, every time you post something, OldPathsII shows up and acts like you've just written out the theory of relativity. I couldn't help but notice.:heart

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:heeheehee

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It reminds me of something my old pastor once said when talking about Jesus riding into town to fervent worship only to have most of these people shouting "crucify Him!" two weeks later. He pointed at the congregation and said something to the effect of "don't you dare be smug in your condemning of these people, most of you would have been in that same group!".
Now this wasn't the point of the sermon that morning but was a side one that stuck with me.

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:foottap

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I think what would be interesting is a discussion about mercy and how a church that is extremely strict can apply mercy so that it doesn't come off as judgmental and talking behind people's backs. Personally, I have never seen one without the other. I have seen a handful of people able to practice this.