Dear Pastor Arnold, I stand firm in the faith and contend for it daily. But I feel convicted of slipping into a contentious spirit. The very sound of my voice has always been heard by others as aggressive and angry instead of assertive but loving. It is! I've listened to it and it sounds snide. For example, two Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door yesterday and I would not be led into their verses and their explanations. Instead I asked each of them: "Are you able to say to me these words; Jesus Christ is God."? I insisted that they answer me. When I saw both of them purse their lips, I realized they were unable to. So I told them, "I'm going to have to dismiss you." When they turn to walk away, as I shut the door I heard one of them say..."Have a good day", I did not respond. Instead, I closed the door. I was shaking and felt very uncomfortable being so firm (hateful on the inside) and aggressive towards both of them. I did not sense God's approval of my delivery. Can you help me? Please be critical and not agree with me or the way I came across to both of them. I was harsh and I felt angry at a system that has entrapped both of especially the teenager. I feel that my demeanor was unloving, intimidating, hateful and angry. It also shows up in my written responses too, even though I never criticize, judge, ridicule or character assassinate anyone. Yet I still do believe I have an inward contentious spirit. I don't know what to do about it. Please, would you help me with this? I'm not pleased with me and I'm certain the Lord is not pleased with me as well.♡
I too have an anger problem that I have to stay aware of. The Bible says, "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." - 2 Timothy 2:24-26 As Christians, we are suppose to have charity: God's love for humanity -- God was willing to die for us -- we are to have self sacrificing concern for others. The Bible says, "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. ... And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. - 1 Corinthians 13:2-7, 13 Those are some of the main verses that have helped me out. I'm also reading and studying God's Word, and praying that His Holy Spirit will teach and guide me in having more charity, and the proper servant attitude mentioned in 2 Tim 2. We're all learning. Stay dedicated and obedient to God. I'll be praying for you.
You need Florida Bible College of Tampa. They will teach you how to preserve compassion. I believe all Christians struggle with this because you have the knowledge of something that they don't and you want them to understand and they don't or won't
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Dear Pastor Arnold,
I stand firm in the faith and contend for it daily. But I feel convicted of slipping into a contentious spirit.
The very sound of my voice has always been heard by others as aggressive and angry instead of assertive but loving. It is! I've listened to it and it sounds snide.
For example, two Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door yesterday and I would not be led into their verses and their explanations. Instead I asked each of them: "Are you able to say to me these words; Jesus Christ is God."? I insisted that they answer me.
When I saw both of them purse their lips, I realized they were unable to. So I told them, "I'm going to have to dismiss you."
When they turn to walk away, as I shut the door I heard one of them say..."Have a good day", I did not respond. Instead, I closed the door.
I was shaking and felt very uncomfortable being so firm (hateful on the inside) and aggressive towards both of them.
I did not sense God's approval of my delivery.
Can you help me? Please be critical and not agree with me or the way I came across to both of them.
I was harsh and I felt angry at a system that has entrapped both of especially the teenager. I feel that my demeanor was unloving, intimidating, hateful and angry.
It also shows up in my written responses too, even though I never criticize, judge, ridicule or character assassinate anyone. Yet I still do believe I have an inward contentious spirit.
I don't know what to do about it.
Please, would you help me with this?
I'm not pleased with me and I'm certain the Lord is not pleased with me as well.♡
I too have an anger problem that I have to stay aware of. The Bible says, "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." - 2 Timothy 2:24-26
As Christians, we are suppose to have charity: God's love for humanity -- God was willing to die for us -- we are to have self sacrificing concern for others. The Bible says, "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. ... And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. - 1 Corinthians 13:2-7, 13
Those are some of the main verses that have helped me out. I'm also reading and studying God's Word, and praying that His Holy Spirit will teach and guide me in having more charity, and the proper servant attitude mentioned in 2 Tim 2. We're all learning. Stay dedicated and obedient to God. I'll be praying for you.
You need Florida Bible College of Tampa.
They will teach you how to preserve compassion.
I believe all Christians struggle with this because you have the knowledge of something that they don't and you want them to understand and they don't or won't