When to give up on someone?

[Raccoon1010]

This is in response to a thread I was watching where the agnostic or atheist clearly wasn't interested in Christianity and was attacking people.

The question: Do you try to convert someone who is clearly not interested, is getting frustrated and attacking you?

I grew up in a church that would not engage with that person under those circumstances and would say that we're not helping them but hurting their future prospects.

Also this applies to missionary work on or off the internet.

Debate...

 

[Ziggy]

Honestly,
I don't think we can. We're not the one that opens that door.
However we are told to be peacable among all men so they have nowhere to accuse you...
1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Perhaps the best thing to do is simply "ignore" them. Dust off the shoes and walk away.
It's hard sometimes to walk away.

Hugs

 

[Raccoon1010]

Honestly,
I don't think we can. We're not the one that opens that door.
However we are told to be peacable among all men so they have nowhere to accuse you...
1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Perhaps the best thing to do is simply "ignore" them. Dust off the shoes and walk away.
It's hard sometimes to walk away.

Hugs

Yes I agree ignore them. And yes dust off your shoes. You brought up a good verse:

Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

I was more directing the discussion for trying to win over a convert on or off the internet. I should have put that in the OP. I'll add it now :)

I used to go to new converts houses and go out with missionaries to discuss winning a convert over. We had rules in place to protect the missionaries from such things which I saw as wise.

 

[Raccoon1010]

When I helped do missionary work if someone attacked us verbally we stopped. But I think it's easy to sense when a person is hostile towards Christianity in person, but on the internet there's no facial expressions or body language, just posts to read.

 

[Ziggy]

When I helped do missionary work if someone attacked us verbally we stopped. But I think it's easy to sense when a person is hostile towards Christianity in person, but on the internet there's no facial expressions or body language, just posts to read.

It is hard on the internet because we don't know what might be going on in the person as well.
At least when your face to face you can smell alcohol or see dialated eyes... just sayin.
I like to give people the benefit of the doubt... it's just the way I am.
But I'm not the only one in this forum who also took some verbal abuse.
And it was uncalled for.

anywhooo, that's my 2 cents.
It's just a bad night.. and a long day.

Much Love
Hugs

 

[Raccoon1010]

It is hard on the internet because we don't know what might be going on in the person as well.
At least when your face to face you can smell alcohol or see dialated eyes... just sayin.
I like to give people the benefit of the doubt... it's just the way I am.
But I'm not the only one in this forum who also took some verbal abuse.
And it was uncalled for.

anywhooo, that's my 2 cents.
It's just a bad night.. and a long day.

Much Love
Hugs

Yes, I've been verbally attacked in person. It's probably worse in person, the internet provides somewhat of a shield, but it still can hurt As I have also been attacked on forums. I usually stick up for myself. I haven't always been that way, but I learned a way that I say to myself: I matter too.

 

[amigo de christo]

This is in response to a thread I was watching where the agnostic or atheist clearly wasn't interested in Christianity and was attacking people.

The question: Do you try to convert someone who is clearly not interested, is getting frustrated and attacking you?

I grew up in a church that would not engage with that person under those circumstances and would say that we're not helping them but hurting their future prospects.

Also this applies to missionary work on or off the internet.

Debate...

I have a feeling i know what thread you are talking about my friend .
I witnessed a few times . But if one aint hearing , we have to move on . Only GOD can give the increase .
Thus i moved on . All i can do is pray for the person now .

 

[Raccoon1010]

I have a feeling i know what thread you are talking about my friend .
I witnessed a few times . But if one aint hearing , we have to move on . Only GOD can give the increase .
Thus i moved on . All i can do is pray for the person now .

I agree. We can still pray to God for their recovery from the works of the world and evil.

 

[amigo de christo]

Yes, I've been verbally attacked in person. It's probably worse in person, the internet provides somewhat of a shield, but it still can hurt As I have also been attacked on forums. I usually stick up for myself. I haven't always been that way, but I learned a way that I say to myself: I matter too.

My friend i have been verbally assuaulted more than once . We simply pray and move on .
I have had some even come yelling right at my face . Its gonna happen . JESUS warned us these things would .
Simply rejoice when you are persecuted . And pray those who persecute you . But never conform to their ways .
Always point to Christ and walk as DID HE . JESUS is the only hope a soul has . And we must point to Him
and remind all of His teachings as well . All bible doctrine is good for the soul .
Its good for correction and instruction in righteousness as well . But know and understand
that we will be attacked for doing so . And we aint even seen the persecutions that shall come . Paul and them even sang in prison my friend .
THE LORD was with them through it all , HE will be with us through it all . Just focus on the LORD .
And let all that draws breath praise the glorious Lord .
I have not yet been beaten , nor put in prison , nor resisted unto blood . But i can tell us
all the persecutions we see now , are GONNA get much worse and fast too . We are on a head on collision
with the final hour . The beast system is ripe now . ANd they are moving fast to get all minds ready for it .
WE will then be shunned and cast out of society . Seen as haters of humanity . Many will be persecuted , many even unto
prison and death . ITS COMING . BUT fear not . THE LORD is with the lambs .
You should see what is going on and how fast they are moving now . I bet sister Ziggy knows what i am talking about .
Devin they got a system now and are setting it up as though its for the people . BUT IT AINT .
Its for the coming beast and his kings and i am telling us times are gonna get much harder .
But be faithful unto death . REMEMBER the reward that comes at the end of our faith , at the end of our trials .

 

[quietthinker]

The question: Do you try to convert someone who is clearly not interested, is getting frustrated and attacking you?

Nobody converts anybody!
The constant use of 'subjective logic' by opposing sides assuming they have better leverage is the high point of human rational.
Its only testimony is to ego's outta control!

 

[Raccoon1010]

Nobody converts anybody!
The constant use of 'subjective logic' by opposing sides assuming they have better leverage is the high point of human rational.
Its only testimony is to ego's outta control!

While truly we don't convert anyone, we can provide the language that God works with and join him in converting people. Cheers!

 

[amigo de christo]

While truly we don't convert anyone, we can provide the language that God works with and join him in converting people. Cheers!

Being fellow helpers to the truth by the power of the indwelling Spirit . Your spot on right my friend . yes indeed .

 

[Ziggy]

I see we are on the pinnacle right now friend and the pendulum can go either way.
There are poeple putting their very lives on the line fighting against what is HERE.
Not coming, it's HERE now.
And they are going to roll out the red carpet soon enough.
Have you ever heard of project blue beam?
They are going to fake a return of the Lord. They will point it to the sky like a movie theatre screen and all the world will be amazed.
They been spraying so much aluminum in the skies over the last decades to "reflect" the images they will project.
Don't fall for it.
The KINGDOM of GOD is within us.
Remember that. Not here or there.

Sorry to derail the thread devin..

Hugs

 

[Invisibilis]

...The question: Do you try to convert someone who is clearly not interested, is getting frustrated and attacking you?...
Debate...

The only power humans have is 'choice'.
The best we can do is tell the Truth, and if they 'choose' not to believe the truth, then that is their choice.
But remember, they did hear the truth from you, and their inner being, and/or soul, knows this. So later, if they choose to believe, they will also get a confirmation from their inner being, and they may find themselves saying silently "I knew this to be true all along".

So then, by telling the Truth unconditionally, you do so without any investment on their conversion. After all, it's for God's glory, not our own.
If we are conditional about it, we end up waiting for some glorious return for our investment, and the debate carries on, and on...

The one not wanting to be converted to the Truth, also carries on, and on with the debate to seek a return for their investment in strengthening their denial. They see the converter as conditional, which is not what Truth is about, and so they see it as a hypocrisy. Instead of allowing them to come to the Truth, our conditionality pushes them away.

 

[quietthinker]

While truly we don't convert anyone, we can provide the language that God works with and join him in converting people. Cheers!

hmmmmm, 'the language that God works with'......a convenient double blind!

 

[amigo de christo]

I see we are on the pinnacle right now friend and the pendulum can go either way.
There are poeple putting their very lives on the line fighting against what is HERE.
Not coming, it's HERE now.
And they are going to roll out the red carpet soon enough.
Have you ever heard of project blue beam?
They are going to fake a return of the Lord. They will point it to the sky like a movie theatre screen and all the world will be amazed.
They been spraying so much aluminum in the skies over the last decades to "reflect" the images they will project.
Don't fall for it.
The KINGDOM of GOD is within us.
Remember that. Not here or there.

Sorry to derail the thread devin..

Hugs

I have heard of project blue beam . At least the technology . They can make things appear by light
and yet its not really there . IT looks REAL .
The battle for the souls of men aint coming , ITS HERE . We must arise and contend for the truth faith
praying and hoping many will hear . Before its too late .
I dont know if they gonna fake His coming , but i do know they will use it to manifest things .
I think they have even already been using it .
I am hearing of these people seeing so called appartions of mary , of angels
and yet the message is all centered on this We are one led message . That or its evil angels manfesting .
Some claiming JESUS , MUHAMMED and MOSES are dancing under the old temple for world peace and unity .
TALK about a delusion . But its growiing sister . THEY also
have ready that digital system . ITS NO GOOD ziggy . That system is of the dragon for the beast .
THEY will have all power now . THEY can shut anyone out of that kind of system .
AND its all based on MORALS . the only problem is , ITS the morals of the dragon and that all inclusive junk .
ITS RIPE NOW ZIGGY . But let us fear not . THE LORD is with us sister . HE fed Essiahs by the river
he will take care of us through it all . THOUGH many will suffer at the hands of men and soon .
THIS WORLD has no idea who this so called inclusive love god truly is . ITS THE DRAGON ZIGGY .
ITS HIM . HE has them decieved and SOON he will convince them to come against those who conformed not
His true enemy the lambs . We have the LORD . So have no fear dear sister . But its on the move now .

 

[Raccoon1010]

hmmmmm, 'the language that God works with'......a convenient double blind!

We speak as humans the language of the bible and when inspired the language God provides. You have a good point though. Let's not take credit for winning over a convert. But that doesn't mean we sit idly by. We must use the Holy Spirit to guide us to help win over coverts. We should be Gods helpers.

 

[amigo de christo]

We speak as humans the language of the bible and when inspired the language God provides. You have a good point though. Let's not take credit for winning over a convert. But that doesn't mean we sit idly by. We must use the Holy Spirit to guide us to help win over coverts. We should be Gods helpers.

Correct only GOD can open the eyes . WE simply preach the message . LET all that has breath praise the glorious LORD .

 

[quietthinker]

We must use the Holy Spirit to guide us to help win over coverts. We should be Gods helpers.

Really?....good luck with that!

 

[Raccoon1010]

Really?....good luck with that!

You post doctrine unlike anything I've ever seen.