[TruthTalk] Encourager vs Discourager

[ShieldsFamily]

John,   I would like to address the issue that this brought up for me; namely that of Encouragers vs. Discouragers. I think you are either one or the other. We all know (I hope) why it is good to be an Encourager. (Although some do not seem to know how to go about it very well.)  I am certainly not perfected in this area, either, but seeing some of the nastiness here on TT makes me very aware of why I don’t want to be a Discourager any more.    The main problem for me with Discouragers is that they cause walls of division between people, whether Christian or not. There is no chance for relationship in an adversarial discussion. In my mind, when I read posts from negative, shouting, accusing, condemning, my-opinion-is-vastly- superior-to-your-opinion Discouragers I see walls going up to form little castles with high towers of defenses from people of other persuasions. Instead of seeing guns or cannons sticking out from the walls, I see fingers pointing out in defiant accusation. It’s as if the Discouragers are saying, “You may not enter here into my Domain of Absolute Correctness, and you certainly cannot be a Christian unless I decide you qualify.  What are your qualifications, before I allow you to enter?!!!!”   These walls discourage anyone from wanting to befriend the Discourager, or worse yet, to know the Jesus that the Discourager claims to represent. If they are ineffective in their discouragement, they are just rebuffed. But if they are effective, that is much worse, because they do such damage to tender hearts and souls; a terrible, sometimes permanent damage to Believers and unbelievers, alike.   He drew a circle that shut me out, Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But Love and I had the wit to win, We drew a circle that took him in.   How do we love the Discouragers without pretending that it is acceptable for them to treat us with absolute disrespect? I, for one, cannot carry on a conversation with the Body while someone is standing, shouting, in my face. And I don’t think Jesus would put up with it either. My only answer is to treat a Discourager like a little child, who must go and sit in the corner until they decide to behave with civility. That’s where I am. Any other suggestions, Encouragers?  Is there any point in trying to reason with the unreasonable? Or would TT be no fun anymore without all this conflict???   Izzy   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 3:07 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] knowing Truth   In a message dated 3/31/2004 7:38:32 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: John, Well, there went another possible opening for condemning No question about it.  Kevin was getting ready to throw a haymaker.   Good scripture and good advise my dear.   John