When " Christians" attack*
Q: What should I do and how should I react or respond when I am interacting online with people, especially in Christian forums... and when a person disagrees with me THEN they go to my page look around to find something problematic then start talking about that in the forum or dm me and try to cause trouble about it there?
A: As you know Christians are to be people of peace, the devil prowls around to accuse and harm and tries to destroy. Remember that while those of faith in the Bible were bold and strong they were no weakling nor cowered. But we need to balance our thoughts, our reactions, use self control and have a right and righteous mindset.
Some new believers will need to deal with and get thick skin if they have a timid or feelings get easily hurt. If that is you you can become more confident and courageous step by step.
We are not to be a bull in a china shop just rampaging everywhere and retaliating with our responses. And we need to remember the tongue can harm as well as bless.
We should be having the mind of Christ [by growing in Scripture], and by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, guide us in what to say.
When it happens:
*Pray about it first.
*Think on what Scripture verses you can think of come to mind based on what they said, both in what you see on your side and what they are saying.
*What verses can help guide you to address the issue in a right way.
*Think on if a reply is necessary at all, and if it is worth doing so....what you can say? Write it in your notepad. Think through it. Ask God to guide you in an appropriate response. Reread your reply, and then prayerfully send it.
If for example it is about pictures you posted long ago before you were a Christian, or when you were a newer believer, and the person is accusing saying you are not a Christian because you dress like that, or accusing you of immodesty or something like that... if it was me this is what I would do:
Hi Jaquanita. I understand you disagreed with me about the topic of xyz. This is not an Essential issue of the faith and should not cause such a strong reaction by someone who claims to be a Christian.
There are many believers out there who misplace their hatred of sin with the idea that they should unjustly judge others and they make public accusations. Scripture tells us we are to go to a person in private if there is an offense or sin issue. And it can be discussed & dealt with biblically.
In this case, had you done so, I would have told you my testimony of how I came to salvation through Christ, and how God has also changed me since then. The pictures you saw were from when I was only a Christian for about 4 months and modesty had not been addressed in my discipleship yet because the church I go to was busy teaching me the essential fundamentals of Christianity and walking me through a new believers course. At the time, I had thought those clothes were okay to wear, but as I matured in the faith, and the clothing topic eventually came up; when I heard a Christian podcast on it. Those biblical Christians helped me understand my witness to others includes my appearance. We are to be different than those in the world. It is also why I removed my piercings and had my tattoos removed. I dont want other new or weak believers to be hindered or affected by how I look, so as not to be a stumbling blick for them, and I want to be able to talk to anyone in public about Jesus without them being afraid of me approaching them.
I will pray about taking that photo down, or privatizing the album or image because I dont want new or weak believers to stumble in their faith because of me. But it might actually be helpful to keep that photo up... 🤔😀 I think today I will go Reshare/Quote that photo and publicly praise God for how far he has brought me after the radical change that happened to me when I got saved. I will share my testimony and hope that my family and friends and others who can see the post will come to understand God and Christianity better. I will include a link to the gospel too so some of them can get saved today. That is, afterall, our goal as believers, to reach the lost.
Satan's people run around as accusers. I know there are many false converts in the world and in churches, plus cults and legalists out there in "Christianity" today, who have never actually been saved. Based on your response to me I would like to lovingly challenge you to do what Scripture says "Examine yourself to see if you really are in the faith".
If you are saved I would ask you to examine your motives as I am not sure why you lashed out at me and went to such lengths to find a way to attack & accuse me. Perhaps it is really about unresolved sins you have in your life, maybe a self righteous/pride issue you need to conquer in your personal life, or if you are going through a rough time in your personal life and made a bad judgment error [since even believers are not perfect], or if theres some other sins you need to deal with. I dont know. That is between you and God. But I do hope you will go about interacting with others (and esp believers) in much better ways in the future. I have prayed for that just now on your behalf 🙏 and have forgiven you. I hope to see you online in the forum and cant wait to see how you mature in the faith and how God uses you for His Kingdom purposes in your life. 😊
I do believe the below can be of help and a blessing to you, and I hope you go check them out for your own benefit. 🙂
Right mindset
Love & Forgiveness
Christians and sin
Examine Yourself
