Daily Admonition: Don’t Fight Battles With People Who Don’t Like You
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, October 19, 2009
- Viewed 747
- (69) comments so far
Perry Noble shares an important truth that many of us should visit today: We don't fight battles with people that claim to be Christian but don't like us". Why... quite simple: That is not our calling.
Have you been criticized by someone who doesn't know you? Have you been cut down from someone who has never attended your church? How about another church in town that doesn't agree with your style of ministry? Don't take on that battle... it's not your calling.
Bottom line: We can't control what other people say about us. But we can control how closely we stick to our calling of preaching the gospel.
Take a look:
What do you think?
Comments
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Matt on Mon, October 19, 2009
Amen… that’s really all I can say. This was so refreshing to hear because I am so tempted to respond to stuff like this all the time. But, yeah, it’s a waste of time and my calling. Thanks for posting this!
Linda on Mon, October 19, 2009
Another Amen! I am in a church of about 1000 attendees. Our pastor is into Twitter. I checked out some of his “followers” on his Twitter page and oh my stars! Some of the most un-Christlike behavior can be found! Knowing that one must ‘accept’ a follower before they can be your follower, makes it all the more alarming. Our pastors need to get back in the prayer closet and in the Word, and preach the word rather than expecting his flock more than what he expects from himself. God sees the blogging and God sees the tweets.
Matt Benson on Mon, October 19, 2009
FREAKIN LOVE PERRY NOBLE!! he is truly a voice of todays leaders!! I’m a young pastor with a church of a couple hundred people in TX, and I glean all I can from Perry. God has used him to change the way I think and do ministry!
Nathan on Mon, October 19, 2009
Great message, and great advice.
Rusty on Mon, October 19, 2009
This was a timely word for me. I’m not in a big church - only 150 on a good Sunday. I don’t have bloggers attacking me, or people talking loud around me at restaurants. But I do have people in my church attacking me. I think it is because we want to honor God in our worship more than appease their whims. I was told last night that there are people slandering me - spreading falsehood - because we trying to break outside the four walls and reach people for Christ. It’s funny in a sad way - the “senior saints” (70 + in age) are open to what we’re doing, as are most of those 25-55 in age. But I’ve lost most of the 55-70 in age, and a few folks that I would call “legalists” who would rather have Wednesday prayer meeting @ 7:00 wth 8 people participating than small groups in homes with 40 participating. I have no great success to point out to people. In fact, I keep trying to discern what I’m doing wrong. I’m an associate pastor following a pastor who served for 39 years, and the church will be voting in a week on calling me as pastor - and I have no clue what the outcome will be. The attacks hurt - it feels like failure - and I don’t know what I’ll do if the outcome is negative toward me - except keep on keeping on. Thanks for the challenging and encouraging word.
CS on Mon, October 19, 2009
Interesting video from Noble. But I will say this: if it wasn’t for seeing a video of him essentially saying, “I will not visit you in a hospital,” on a discernment blogger’s website, I wouldn’t have the view of him I do today.
And as for God blowing up churches if they aren’t doing the right thing, that isn’t true at all. God seems to let churches with erroneous teaching prosper as foreseen in 1 Timothy 4 and 2 Timothy 4. That’s why it is important to be on guard and to exercise discernment.
—
CS
Oliver on Mon, October 19, 2009
Am I the last sane person on this blog? I agree with CS by the way, people need to be a tad bit more critical, but I say if anyone has a “dork” radar it should be going off loudly! I don’t believe a word this guys says, I think this guy is lying is head off! I doubt that girl at the place said anything at all, but cleatus the yokel pastor clearly can be refuted by 1. Jesus answered his critics, 2. doesn’t the bible say to always be ready to answer???oh lets forget scripture again, 3. how do we know you is and isn’t a christian? are we judging now? 4 clearly even peter and paul had an argument over how ministry was being done. Funny, what I don’t think anyone of this blog could refute is this (yes its a challenge) why does this guy have NO BIBLE verses to defend his position? Yet why are so many people droolling over him, “I love perry noble…” oohhh…please people! thow me a bone!
Todd on Mon, October 19, 2009
Here’s your bone, Oliver…
That’s funny, Oliver. You accuse Perry of not using scripture to support his position and at the same time fail to quote scripture to support yours.
You did manage to say you think Perry is a liar though. Better be careful, I think scripture says you shouldn’t do that to a pastor or elder without at least a witness. Matter of fact, that’s a pretty serious offense.
But what do I know?
Todd
Brianmpei on Mon, October 19, 2009
No, we don’t respond to bloggers or in public places, we wait til we’re back on our platform in front of many more people where our critiques can’t respond, we can spin it any way we want and make them look stupid and ourselves look brilliant.
Great theology there on blowing churches up, certainly proves the Mormon Church should be considered orthodox.
Perry’s not even on my radar unless I see him here or on some other site I follow but when he says stupid an self-important stuff like this it makes me wonder if we shouldn’t at least consider that our critics might have a point.
CindyK on Mon, October 19, 2009
Now I’m not a PN fan - I’m a fan of only one man, our Lord and Savior. However I believe he’s right. So right in fact that just this morning I had suggested strongly that we begin using some software to monitor our ‘brand’ on the internet - twitter, blogs, facebook, etc.. because I was concerned that when we begin to ‘live stream’ people would say nasty things about us.
I’m recanting. I just sent email saying, “Never mind”. Noble makes a great point. We should just be delivering the Word. It’s the Lord’s battle otherwise, we’re just the messengers. Thanks Todd, this was timely indeed.
CS on Mon, October 19, 2009
Brianmpei:
“No, we don�t respond to bloggers or in public places, we wait til we�re back on our platform in front of many more people where our critiques can�t respond, we can spin it any way we want and make them look stupid and ourselves look brilliant.”
Ba-zing! Too true.
—
CS
Todd on Mon, October 19, 2009
Brianmpei:
How cynical.
I think Perry’s approach is a good one. I don’t think he’s trying to make anyone look stupid.
People like Perry could literally spend all day and night responding to critics. They have critics everywhere.
People love being stupid. People love saying stupid things. Aloud at times. How we respond to them is important.
All Perry is saying is this: We will not be diverted by our critics. Perry would also say that he’s open to criticism from those who know him, his ministry, his church, etc. But to outsiders who want to pick a fight; he’s right to ignore.
Be passionate about what God has called you to do. And keep your blinders on… cause I’ll guarantee that not everyone will agree with your calling. They’ll criticize and cut you to the bone.
Best thing: ignore them.
todd
Eric on Mon, October 19, 2009
I have never heard of Perry before, but I found most of what Perry said to be dead on. A lot of time can be wasted arguing with those who do not hold the same opinions we have. It is rarely a productive use of time or energy. In my life and ministry, all sorts of stuff is said about me and the church I serve/lead. It’s always been water off a ducks back to me though. What matters is, “Am I doing God’s bidding?”
However, I’ll “discuss” with anyone though. Discussing is one thing—arguing is another. I read in my devotions this morning from Acts 11. Verse 18 jumped out at me. Men who were critical of Peter’s experience with the Gentiles changed their minds and celebrated the expanision of the gospel once they understood the story. These men struck me as open minded men who truely wanted to understand where Peter was coming from. They were willing to listen. And while they listened, I don’t imagine they were forming their rebuttal. They were trying to understand. That was a lesson for me personally today—to not allow tradition, experience, or safety to close my heart and mind.
I’ll engage in conversation and discussion with people like that anyday. But not those who argue with a mind that is already made up.
John Burton on Mon, October 19, 2009
Excellent. There is a group of ‘heresy hunters’ on the internet who love to tear down, prove their point and refuse to even admit that their position may be wrong. They are the final authority of truth in their own eyes and totally disrespect a competing opinion from a brother or sister.
Those who are out of relationship with an individual have no right to do anything but edify, love and encourage them. We have to follow Matthew 18 protocol.
Plus, this passage basically ends the discussion quite well:
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Qoholeth on Mon, October 19, 2009
I’d like to respond but considering the advice from PN I can’t.
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