Live or Say What You Believe

[Prober]

Where should Christians draw the line between living what you believe and saying what you believe? Or should there be a line?

I live what I believe, but since I don't always say what I believe I may come off as being ashamed of the Gospel or something.

If you had to label me, I'd be a conservative fundamentalist Christian.

I don't always say what I think because I don't want to push people away from God. But I don't want to withhold witness and not give someone the chance to know God.

Where is the line? Is there a line?

I'm not trying to be judgemental of anyone, just the opposite.

Please help me with your thoughts.

Most Sincerely,
Mark

[cyberpi]

I believe the line defines the word hypocrite.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Prober

Where should Christians draw the line between living what you believe and saying what you believe? Or should there be a line?

I live what I believe, but since I don't always say what I believe I may come off as being ashamed of the Gospel or something.

If you had to label me, I'd be a conservative fundamentalist Christian.

I don't always say what I think because I don't want to push people away from God. But I don't want to withhold witness and not give someone the chance to know God.

Where is the line? Is there a line?

I'm not trying to be judgemental of anyone, just the opposite.

Please help me with your thoughts.

Most Sincerely,
Mark

Fortunately I don't have to label you Mark
There are many ways to share your beliefs and tact is important. It's one thing to say " when I'm with you time seems to stand still" It is another to say "your face could stop a clock"
The only time there should be any cognitive dissonance is if your words and beliefs are in conflict. Silence isn't shirking your duty, and sometimes can be quite profound. Look at how many words Christ uses in the bible as opposed to others. Like my history professor once remarked on my thesis statement. Don't tell me, show me.

Peace
Mark

[Silas]

Originally Posted by Prober

If you had to label me, I'd be a conservative fundamentalist Christian.

There isnt any other way to be a Christian. Way to go!

[Prober]

Originally Posted by Paladin

Fortunately I don't have to label you Mark
There are many ways to share your beliefs and tact is important. It's one thing to say " when I'm with you time seems to stand still" It is another to say "your face could stop a clock"
The only time there should be any cognitive dissonance is if your words and beliefs are in conflict. Silence isn't shirking your duty, and sometimes can be quite profound. Look at how many words Christ uses in the bible as opposed to others. Like my history professor once remarked on my thesis statement. Don't tell me, show me.

Peace
Mark

Thanks Mark. I am speaking of having your life and your words being in harmony, and genuinely wanting to share with others and just not hurt them.

I'm looking to balance the risk of pushing people away from God with the risk of not "spreading the message" and having them not know God (if that makes sense).

I want to share but not offend. How do I do that?

Thanks, again, for your thoughts.

Sincerely,
Mark

[Dor]

There is no line to me.
If I live it, believe it and feel it then I will speak it.
Yes there are plenty who do not like that fact and call me intolerant and hateful.
Sorry I think it is more hateful to let someone live without the truth then it is to hurt their feelings telling them.

[Prober]

Originally Posted by Silas

There isnt any other way to be a Christian. Way to go!

I think you're right. I also think my opinion doesn't count.

Thanks, Silas

[Prober]

Originally Posted by Dor

There is no line to me.
If I live it, believe it and feel it then I will speak it.
Yes there are plenty who do not like that fact and call me intolerant and hateful.
Sorry I think it is more hateful to let someone live without the truth then it is to hurt their feelings telling them.

Thanks, Dor. I appreciate your thoughts.

Maybe the hard thing is to combine the courage to speak the truth with the humility to be tactful or not beat people over the head. To just let the truth speak for itself.

Perhaps I err on the side of tact too much.

[Prober]

Originally Posted by cyberpi

I believe the line defines the word hypocrite.

If you don't live what you say, yeah.

Thanks, C

[Silas]

This is America, the worst we get here is "shut up you religious self-righteous hypocrate." Our brothers and sisters overseas are being raped, sold into slavery, lose their jobs, persecuated, and killed, all because they preach that Jesus is coming back and we need to repent and trust in Him in order to be saved from the wrath that is to come. We dont have all that stuff to worry about (yet?), so we should continue to be light and salt. Light shines in darkenss and wicked men hate it. Salt stings and wicked men will curse you. So what?!

[Dor]

Originally Posted by Prober

Thanks, Dor. I appreciate your thoughts.

Maybe the hard thing is to combine the courage to speak the truth with the humility to be tactful or not beat people over the head. To just let the truth speak for itself.

Perhaps I err on the side of tact too much.

Oh I have definately held my tongue on this board more than I should.

And thats why I take a break from time to time because I hold my tongue so much I end up having to take a break cause I feel like Im not being true.

[cyberpi]

Originally Posted by cyberpi

I believe the line defines the word hypocrite.

In case I was not clear, I was answering the question of what line there is between living a belief and voicing a belief. In no way was I labelling anyone a hypocrite.

Relative to Paladin's comment: Whether Simon Cowell "That was dreadful", Randy Jackson's "Sorry dog, it wasn't there", or Paula Abdul "Not right for this competition" represents loving or hateful words, I recognize the judgement is there regardless: Yes or No. Some people are tone deaf and will never know that they can't sing in tune unless somebody tells them. The parent that smiles and always says, "that was fantastic" with every loving ounce of encouragement ends up producing some rather dreadful results. Some have paid time and money to go be judged there only to cop an attitude, tell the judges that they are wrong, that they are mean, that they have somehow hurt them, etc... It is a sorry sight.

I've been judged in school, music, sports, and work... in my opinion those who decry judgement do so to their own detriment. A person should be thankful to have the opinion or judgement of another person regardless of who or what it is, positive, negative, loving, hateful.

That said, sharing how wonderful and transcending the bowel movement was last night is likely to fall on deaf ears. With that, Paladin has a point. People have evil and selective ears.

[Prober]

Originally Posted by Dor

Oh I have definately held my tongue on this board more than I should.

And thats why I take a break from time to time because I hold my tongue so much I end up having to take a break cause I feel like Im not being true.

I know what you mean...I really struggle with this (not with holding my tongue, with feeling like I'm not true).

[Prober]

Originally Posted by cyberpi

In case I was not clear, I was answering the question of what line there is between living a belief and voicing a belief. In no way was I labelling anyone a hypocrite.

Thanks, C. I know.

I've been judged in school, music, sports, and work... in my opinion those who decry judgement do so to their own detriment. A person should be thankful to have the opinion or judgement of another person regardless of who or what it is, positive, negative, loving, hateful.

I should accept that. For me, giving that honest opinion is hard. I wouldn't want to lie, but I would try every way possible to sugar-coat the truth which, I realize, is not always the best thing to do.

That said, sharing how wonderful and transcending the bowel movement was last night is likely to fall on deaf ears.

But it was! Cyberpi...Cyberpi...are you there?