Why do so few get involved in discussions on Sermon Index???

Since this is just a survey, I will put in my two cents. Firstly, life is busy, and if there is extra time, I ought to be spending it with the Lord. That said, often I will come to this site and read what others have posted as a fellowship of sorts with other believers who for the most part are intent on following hard after God. I used to post my thoughts more, but would often be challenged, or misunderstood. Because I am an overly conscientious sort of personality I would be upset for hours at what I had said to bring on such a response. I found I did not have the emotional energy to deal with the comments, so it was "safer"/more expedient not to be drawn into the fray. Not sure this helps, but it is my reason for not posting more.

These forums are not for the faint of heart. It takes courage to post something not knowing if it will be accepted or rejected. And if it is in disagreement to the original post, someone will invariably try to put you in your place and let you know you were out of line (according to them).

Mark, I've never gotten this from you but there are definitely some theological bullies here who do not allow dissension (in their eyes) and if it's from a woman... oh my Armageddon!! (my sense of humor kicking in)!!! Ginnyrose posted something the other day and somebody reamed her out over her well documented opinion. She never picks on anybody!

God bless you for even starting this discussion,
Lisa

EDIT: I did not see mama's comment before I posted this, so I rest my case!!! :)

When I first joined, I was much more argumentative (I know, right?!), so if I have offended anyone previously, please forgive, God is still working on me too!

Brother Mark, I would love to give you my personal reasons, I'll just let these few scriptures let you know why I will just keep my reasons to myself. :-)

Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Matthew 15:11
It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Proverbs 15:1-2
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Lysa but there are definitely some theological bullies here who do not allow dissension (in their eyes)

I would have to agree with Lysa 100% on this statement, I truly believe this is why most don't post. I heard a preacher say once "you have never really been beat up until you have been beat up by a Christian".

Mark I've been here 11 years. I don't think that would be whopping. That's not even 1 post a day.:-)

Good word Brother Mark. Mark, I'm not bashful about admitting, I don't know the word even close to a lots of folks here, would I like to? of course. The problem trying to learn the word here is, it's very easy to get confused for someone like me when the "debates" for lack of a better word, get heated. Mark although I don't like this word "baby christian" I'm not a baby christian, I just have a problem reading, understanding, and keeping the word in my memory banks. Now if you want to talk Air Conditioning, we can have a good discussion. Speaking of "Baby Christians" that might better fit the ones that bully.

I have to agree that posting is not for the faint of heart.

I have been challenged beyond my energy to defend my reasoning, and felt I was way in over my head.

Of course, I do want to accept correction. I'm not saying a challenge isn't sometimes a good thing!

Other times, I have responded here and there but felt invisible. That very statement reveals insecurity!

I have posted when I felt a burning to share something of mine to encourage, but I try to keep it minimal too. The things I have felt so bold to post on a public forum have most often been the things that I am most passionate about- the things that I have experienced first hand and are the areas that God has touched me so deeply that words seem to diminish their depth.

If Im honest, when I have created my own posts, it was because I was in need of something from others in the family of God, whether looking for validation, approval,encouragement, because I was lonely,or just needed a word to help me fan the flame within me. Some reasons are good. Some are not so good.
I try to keep myself in check so that I don't fall into what I call "the lonely trap" which is talking about God in order to fill a longing that is never filled, instead of talking in a way that cultivates or a deeper hunger and longing for Him and His righteousness. I just want to become a better Christian. I want to know how to apply God's truth to my practical everyday walk in life.

I often read posts about happenings in the world and keep my thoughts to myself, not only because I believe that my opinions are unpopular, but because I have lived in places where it is dangerous to be a Christian and I continue to travel so I don't feel I can freely, safely post on many topics but I love Sermonindex because I see that discretion and discernment have been used to determine what learning material- videos and text sermons would be posted.

My lack of participation here has nothing to do with anybody here.:) You are all great. I enjoy reading through your posts and even seeing how you all manage your disagreements.

Hope you all have a great day. It's been nice being part of this thread!

Onemite.

The gracious and merciful Lord Christ Jesus be with you in Spirit and in Truth, dear brother Awakened.

I was just about to get dressed for another work shift, and so this came to my mind maybe 2 minutes before I came to my pc and saw your post - "I am getting behind on a few things that I feel greatly compelled to post on this site for the glory of God and the benefit of the brothers and sisters that are in Christ, the suffering saints, and the discouraged." Then, my heart seemed to sink low and tears began to flow from my eyes - "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner".

By the grace of God, I will post a few things this weekend, as well as my week-late, "The Apprentice and the Hollandaise Sauce" for brother Jeff Marshall.

The Lord be with you all this weekend. Let us draw nigh unto Him, and He will draw nigh unto us. For He works in us both to will and to do according to HIS good pleasure. Oh, what an amazing God we serve, that will we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.

Greetings

As you might see I am not someone who it "quiet" in posting but than again numbers can be very deceiving. The times I have posted go through seasons. Sometimes more often as GOD gives leading other times not at all...

I post in the devotional thread often, in fact over the last few years that is where I post most of the time. I try to respond to prayer requests as the LORD leads but I don't get caught up in discussion very often. I will admit most of the time things discussed go right over my head. When I read a post I ask myself will taking part benefit me/others in my walk? Will it help any others or me to grow closer to JESUS? Most times the answer is no so I just don't post to those discussions.

In all honestly I don't really look at the numbers though:)
I just always try to look to the LORD and see what HE has for me in a post and what HE is leading me to do...

God Bless
mj

Personally, I only post after prayer. If the Spirit does not bear witness that I should open a thread or stir a response I am silent.

There have been a couple times where I have entered into a discussion in the flesh and seem it eat up my time. I have had to apologize for my poor witness. I know that sometimes I have delayed posting because I am fearful of my words cutting wrongly and sought confirmation from the Lord for several hours.

There have also been several times where God has given me grace by preventing posting through my browser crashing, login cookie expiring, servers going down or even my internet connection failing.

What is eating at you? Why are you so glib? What are you going through?

We are here with you brother.

by awakened
That said, I don't think this is an issue on SI, at least not what I can see. Maybe in one or two bullys but we can just ignore them right? :-)

And over the years a few have hurt my feelings by their harsh words and it's hard to ignore them but as in life, you have to LEARN to ignore them if your going to put yourself out there, wrong or right!!

God bless,
Lisa

Quote: "I like what you said here, "I just want to become a better Christian. I want to know how to apply God's truth to my practical everyday walk in life."

This forum is helpful in different ways to different people but I think the greatest help has to be what you mentioned. Unfortunately, historically speaking - the busiest posts have little to do with how one can practically improve on ones everyday walk with Christ."
-------------------------

The problem I have seen with "practical" discussions is that you have many various perspectives about different issues so instead of discussing the question at hand it turns into a discussion about whose perspective is correct.

To be entirely honest I don't come to the forum for spiritual growth per se; I come to discuss things that may interest me. The posts with the most traffic are usually those where there are divergent opinions. Nothing wrong with that- I have had whole paradigms shifted from forum discussions, although not so much on this one but one I used to post at a few years back.

I wish more people would post. There is nothing wrong with disagreement over some things. It would be awfully boring if we all agreed 100% about everything.

I think an important attitude to have when posting is "I might be wrong about this." Because truthfully there are very few things that we can be certain we are 100% correct about, particularly when it comes to end times and certain theological positions.

My problem is some of these discussions get so deep, if I were to join in, I would have to rent a 500' crane to get me out, because I can't possibly keep up. I get pretty glib in really deep places. :-)

I hear you Bill. I lose interest pretty quick if a post goes more than a couple of reasonable length paragraphs.

Awakened- Im a sister.

Another reason that I don't often post is because It takes me four paragraphs to say what some seem to effortlessly articulate in one! I suppose I may get better with practice. This could be a good place for that.

I think many of you have summed up the answer to the question very well, and there's something in all of your responses that I would agree with. So, there's really no reason for me to echo whats already been said- which is what I think most of the time, and that's yet another reason I seldom post! HA!

Penny

I would get more involved personally but I honestly just do not have the time, and what happens so often in these forums is a simple post in the morning before I go to work has 30 or 40 responds by the time I get home and it is difficult to get plugged into that post and follow what all has been stated by than because after you are done reading what everyone said....well you get the picture I am sure...God Bless Bro DMiller

Well I don't post a lot for a variety of reasons. I came to SI for the Sermons and God blessed me richly for a season. Back then I would come and read the Forums and it was like eating at a spiritual banquet. It was great but then "something” would happen and we would all end up pushing away from the table. It took me a while to understand what that "something” was. Turns out I don't have an appetite for Theology. For me many times on SI, Theology has had the flavor of "who is the greatest amongst us”. It always reminds me of that ”“ it really does. I've seen threads start out with great promise and devolve into a bunch of biting and devouring. Then there are the apologies only to repeat the cycle again and again. It makes me tired just thinking about it. Although I do know there were disagreements in the Word, I still don't want to be involved in that so I'm not.

On a more personal note, it has not always felt safe for me, but there was one sister last year who took a stand and that let me know that maybe SI has turned a corner. I don't know...we'll see. While I like to contribute I do think it was good for me "not” to post. I do believe that was right for me. I will also say that just because myself and others don't post a lot doesn't mean we don't pray a lot. There are many many people sitting on the wall...

Yes, I agree a "thumbs up" would be wonderful!

I would reply more but a lot of posts descend into someone wanting to write a whole novel as a single post ... whenever I see that, my heart sinks and I don't follow it.

Brother Markuskiwi wrote;
"The forum should first of all be for the Lord and not for us"

Yes and Amen dear brother!!!

And I agree that the Lord our God has used our dear brother Greg and his ministry here on SI in such a way so as to often leave me amazed, refreshed and renewed in the Spirit:)

For some of us it's a nursery,... others a school,... and others a platform-
Where these are there is bound to be bullies (hurt people) and dissenters (proud people) tho we only feed their practice by giving our attention to them and participating with them (dignifying with reply).
The Lord and His work of advancing His Kingdom on all sides is our holy calling, so let the gospel go forth unhindered and let Christ be the focus of all our attention and affections:)
And let those whom would be a distraction from this work be brought back into the fellowship of faith thru the prayers and example of the faithful, our God is mighty and faithFULL so let us rejoice and give the grace and forgiveness we have received from Him, if we only love those whom love us.....

Good question. One issue is doctrine can bring controversy and controversy can bring division. This is why we have so many denominations. I generally avoid doctrine because people get mad. I let God reveal to me as I ask. I always ask for the truth and the truth only. That's the only path I pursue. I don't need to add to the confusion that's out there. i believe that that is one of the reason for the two witnesses; to bring correct understanding.

I have posted and enjoy reading others posts. I just don't want to cause division. I had rather stir one another to look at the overall picture.

Satan has done a good job in getting each church denomination to dislike another. He's a master deceiver.

I believe that if we spoke the truth in love and were humble with a desire to share a word that will encourage in this forum, more Christians would be involved.

I have notices that many of us me included are so prone to talk about sound doctrine but do we really long for God's presence to be felt in our hearts and the hearts of our brothers and sisters here? God's presence in our hearts is what we should seek, because thats how we know He is with us in our spirit and that the Holy Spirit is indwelling us and sanctifying us.

This is a public forum for Christians and we forget that it should be a fellowship of the saints online, yes this is possible too, we can't limit the saints fellowship in a local church only. And we forget to pray before we post and often post just our opinions and not what God puts in our hearts.

Love and truth you cant separate them. God is love and Christ is the truth. We can't know the love of God unless we know Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. I won't compromise the truth for the sake of unity but I want to be humble and gentle that when I speak the truth it will be in love and not in a bitter and arrogant spirit.

Too many just sit and count the mint and cummin seeds and not look at the weightier matters of the law. We can extract all the doctrine we want and miss what Jesus said, "I was hungry and you gave me bread", "I was naked and you gave me a cloak".

Jesus was all over Jerusalem doing good. Those deeds all went unnoticed by those who handled doctrine. They were looking for him to slip up in doctrine.

I study doctrine. I spend a lot of time studying but it's not an end in itself. I find that living the real life of Jesus much more fulfilling. It's so good to hear someone praise the name of God after receiving help.

I love to see post on doctrine. I don't like to see bickering so I avoid it personally. I try to think of something that will stir the whole group away from the ordinary. I love to hear of good news where someone was healed or something changed their life.

Oh, Lysa...so someone really reamed me out? Didn't know that or else I forgot it - that happens a lot, too. But then I am a busy woman - cannot stay online all the time.

One thing I have learned in my 69 years is that not all people will agree with you - some may oppose you vigorously but in time, if it is the truth, it will come back and minister to them. I know because it has happened to me.

No one owns the truth except God and if we are His child we will share that info. Accept it, fight it, leave it, truth remains Truth.

Lysa, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my propensity to debate. I have repented of it, albeit, it still wants to rear its ugly head occasionally. Posting on SI revealed to me my weakness on this issue and for that I am thankful.

God bless all of you...you all are a great bunch - if you do not believe me read the comments written on news sites..they are a "LORD, have mercy" type. Not so here.

Sandra

"Perhaps you are just shy? Afraid of being shot down? Or maybe you don't have the time or the energy? Or is it that the few posts you have started, have never received any comments or feedback? Is it this site? Is it boring or focused on beating the same old dead horses over and over again...issues that have no bearing on your life and thus do not draw you in?"

Understand this is not a dig at you or anyone else here. I am venturing to say that there are, and I know of several here over the years, more spiritual than fleshy or carnal. The Spiritual Man is usually one who diligently seeks to not speak out from himself, but he/she usually yields and prays inwardly until they get the inward witness, the unction within that John speaks of in his First Epistle. Usually of much, much fewer words than the more fleshy Christians. They are very guarded of speaking out not only error, but also speaking truth out from themselves as opposed to the truth spoken in co-operation with the Indwelling Spirit of Christ. Of course this is a real process, but David prayed, "Deliver me from presumptuous sins!" That means saying or doing good that God never told you to do. Of course God has much mercy for that, but as we grow in love for Him and the brethren, and the more spiritually mature we become, we only want His will and for "Christ in me" to do the work. Simply because we know that the Spirit gives life, and the flesh always corrupts. The truly spiritual don't really care what others think of him, but he loves them still and in speaking the truth in Love, he only wants to give what the Spirit of Christ in him gives for edifying and building up.
I know that the moderators on here have diligently sought for people to be prayerful before posting here. And I have been here long enough to learn who the more mature and spiritual are. You can tell them very easily because they usually don't get caught up in debates, and their words are very well thought out and come much less frequently than many, many others that I have seen over the years, a majority of the many others being those who came and went. The spiritual don't necessarily have that "need to be heard" or "need to be accepted" factor any longer that we have in Christian babyhood, which is perfectly fine in it's season. But to think that those who do not post often fall under one or more, if any of those questions in the quote without the positive option I just mentioned is very incomplete in judgment, an honest error, but incomplete.
I can also see how those questions may be a negative connotation towards a younger Christian to guide him/her into thinking perhaps they are a failure, fearful or weak because they choose not to post. I don't think that is the case at all in reality.

I've always enjoyed your posts and am glad when I see one. You seem a nice person and have good and edifying things to say.

An analogy for commenting in the Sermon Index forums:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NlV_5_d75Vo

An analogy for commenting in the Sermon Index forums:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NlV_5_d75Vo

I see in the sidebar that fellow has another video "Which sword is best in a one-on-one duel?" Maybe just as relevant? When entering the fray with wild sword-swinging hackers, take a good weapon with you. At the very least, a mighty large shield of faith!

I (mostly) enjoy reading the posts here on SI, unless they take a downward turn. This has its ups and downs, and often depends on the topics that are being discussed.

Although I have been edified by the sermons and the discussion forums here, I am actually embarassed to refer others to this site for fear that they will see some of the "ugliness" that sometimes ensues in the forum. Not a good witness for Christ.

So often I get saddened (not just about the forum, but about Christians in general, even my own home life with my children) when I remember what Jesus prayed:

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one IN US, THAT THE WORLD AMY BELIEVE THAT YOU SENT ME." John 17: 20-21

Does this forum tell the world that we are one, in the same way that Jesus and the Father are one? Do we know how to disagree gracefully, speaking the truth in love? If a non-believer were to stumble upon this forum, would he/she think that this group of people is full of love for one another and for God?

I do not post often because I do not have time; I also do not like to get in the middle of controversy for the sake of controversy. If I have something to contribute that I feel would be edifying, I occassionally add a comment, but usually, it takes too much of my time to think about what I want to say and then write it coherently and in the right spirit. This post alone took over 20 minutes and I usually don't have the time to spare. :)

May the Lord change my heart and fill it with His love. I am guilty of "ugliness" too.

Mark, can you explain this expression as you used in your last post:

What is helping me is to stop and even after I have written something, even go back and change it if it would not be something I would say to my brother that I would want to "do life with".

Do life together? Is it biblical? Where is it from?

"I love that there are many who rarely speak because they are "more spiritual" and do not want to say something wrong, but that is too close to a monks lifestyle for my liking:-) And if we all became like monks there would be no discussion forum."

Yes, I love that there are many also. I have included a few here.

Proverbs 17-27,28
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 12:18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

James 3:2-10
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ...

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Titus 3:2
To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Matthew 12:33-37
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

And many, many more. If David, Solomon, Paul, James, Peter and the Lord Jesus Himself lived what appeared to be a "monks lifestyle", it really doesn't matter to who's "liking" it is or not. Preference can and never will take precedence over the Word of God.

The good news is that "if the Lord, who lives in me, gives what He requires of me, then no requirement can be too high. Then I have the courage to gaze upon His holy Example in all it's height and breadth, and to accept of it as the law of my conduct. It is no longer a command telling what I must be, but a promise of what I shall be."

Andrew Murray in "Like Christ"

Be Blessed All!
Rich

I have been of-late not posting here. Some life changing event like birth of our 2nd child and move back to US have made be busy. So for the past 6 months I have hardly posted less than 5 times. If I follow this forum, I normally find a topic that interests me. Mostly it is me not following the forum that causes my absence.

I know of people who seriously follow the forum but never post. They read many things here to get different perception on different topics, but they never put their own perception. I don't know why, but may be it is their personal character not to involve in an internet based conversation.

Also spiritual discussions are different from real time conversation on other subjects. When it comes to spiritual things, even people who love to discuss keep quiet because they do not consider themselves worthy of telling their views. In my church when we have discussions on spiritual things I find more listeners than speakers.

Here is where I would certainly give a thumbs up.
I agree, sree. And congratulations on the new addition to your family.