“There has been a lot of murmuring and complaining on this forum lately in the same fashion as the stubborn children of Israel in the wilderness. While some choose to voice like a trumpet to these members who look wistfully back to Egypt, others choose to help them polish these idols of the heart and tell them how wonderful they are. This is wrong. Why do we continue to stroke their egos when instead helping them understand the correction that has been presented to them?
Listen, those who keep idols of the heart will always be the ones who are 'easily offended'. It has nothing to do with the 'way the message was said' but rather the message of truth itself is what these members have a problem with. They wish to worship the Father 'their way' not in spirit and in truth.
Though they apologize profusely again and again, there acts of repentance are a sham as they continue to worship their idols of their hearts and tell you 'don't judge me!'
What fellowship does light have with darkness? Or believers with nonbelievers? These conflicts are of Satan as Joe pointed out previously and the means are believers being yoked together with unbelievers. And because of this, which Paul admonishes us NOT to do, we have ongoing conflicts. It's not a matter of one stating 'Well, I am not as learned as you'. That has nothing to do with it and I am tired of hearing that lame excuse. It is a matter of being humble, being teachable, and giving up these idols of the heart.
So there is no confusion: If you DO NOT want to give up these idols of YOUR HEART after multiple members continue to point them out, you have no business here! Your presence will only cause strife and chaos. If you DO want to give up these idols of the heart, stop putting it back together after the Word of God smashes it into a thousand pieces. This has gone on long enough but we all need to put our foot down. Otherwise, this forum will be the redundant, unfruitful, chaotic mess where it is headed.
Thanks,
Marques”
*>*>*>
In the first post of this topic the above words are the only words Marques penned. The rest of the post contained scripture. As I see it, it’s about “idols of the heart”. I see that as the main thrust, or point, Marques was making.
He did use specifics. But. He didn’t point any fingers. He didn’t mention names.
How now that some members have stepped forward to challenge Marques and claim error? Where lays the error? With Marques because he sees an opportunity to bring to light a reflection of idols in our midst? So Marques is now pronounced guilty of error?
Not hardly.
Ask yourself this question: Am I guilty of the idols he speaks? If you feel you are, work it out, quietly. And, honestly, (and it’s just me) but you should really thank Marques if that is the case. Not condemn him. If you feel you aren't guilty, even by association or intent of heart at times, then why defend yourself and find fault with Marques and his post.
Craig said something the other day and it hit home solid with me, and I’ll paraphrase it (I’m on dial up, it would take hours to find it), but, the gist was “sometimes a posters words contribute nothing to a post). Well, that may as well speak to me now perhaps, but so be it.
But so you know, I asked myself the same question this morning when I read the post: “Am I guilty of that which Marques speaks.” The answer came back a resounding YES. But I hold no ill to Marques. When I said “thank you Marques” earlier, I meant it.
So again, for those who have found contempt, even a little, perhaps it is best to recoil and give this matter some time to work it’s way through without so much a tittle of condemnation for one of our own.
Best.
A.