RE: A question about disclosing the past (Full Version)

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LivingParadox -> RE: A question about disclosing the past (4/26/2008 12:00:00 PM)

I think there is a time and place for both sharing and not sharing.

Sometimes with a new Christian it is important for them to work through the junk but they shouldn't stay in this place after years of maturing as a Christian. In fact, as they mature sometimes the very things that have changed are the very things enables them to reach out to others. Some of the most effective Christians have a past.

Disclosure should be about glorifying God and focus on what a Big God we serve -- not self-focused.

In sharing should be done with wisdom and discernment and with a real reason as why such things should be shared. There are no hard and fast rules to sharing but certainly a reliance of the Holy Spirit to guide who we share and who we do not share, whether Christian or not.



Liveloved -> RE: A question about disclosing the past (4/26/2008 2:05:11 PM)

quote:

So to talk about the past forgiven sins only bring glory to the enemy.


Do you really think so, RC? I don't. I think others take great encouragement from this kind of reality. It is much like the encouragement I receive when reading about men like Peter or Jacob or David. God told us about their sin. He could have 'neglected' to include it or considered it forgiven and 'unnecessary' to include. But He chose to tell us. And I think He did so that we would be encouraged by knowing these men were not perfect, that they were sinners like myself, and that men who passionately LOVE God do sin.

Anyway, I don't think that is giving the enemy glory. I think hiding and pretending about who we really are, what we do and how we 'really' live and interact with others (you know, playing the good little Christian role) gives satan the honor he's looking for. [:)]LL



makarizo -> RE: A question about disclosing the past (4/26/2008 2:48:16 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rcjames

I have never seen the need to spread the gore of a pre-salvation lifestyle. Suffice to say I was lost, but now am found, I was blind, but now I see,

Thanks
RC

I looooove to hear the testimony of a believers who gave up and surrendered their lives to Christ.
it isn't the gory details, it is the victory, that is the testimony.
and in this light, it becomes a great source of encouragement for struggling believers, a good education to the witness who may not have struggled 'in that way' to help in understanding.

God can use our past struggles for a witness.



missleyna -> RE: A question about disclosing the past (4/27/2008 6:15:44 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cloak

Missleyna~

Typically or ideally, you should be able to open up with other Christians provided they are healthy and safe Christians.

Good Christians are non-judgemental non-defensive and vice versa.

When we open up and become vulnerable, we enrich each other's life and realize that we're not alone in what we went through.

I am always wary of people or churches who do not discuss weaknesses or struggles or sins.

In a message board as this, the best thing we can for each other....is to open up, be upfront and vulnerable to each others. Afterall, the Bible teaches us to confess our sins to one another. This is how we grow, mature, enrich and build up one another.



Hi-
I totally agree that christians should talk about sins that they are currently struggling with as it says to do so in the bible. My question is more about sins prior to being saved. I ask because some people live lifestyles that are looked down upon by christians and even after they have repented and changed their ways, I feel as if many christians judge them for their former selves. If that person is no longer living in sin, then I wonder is it important to discuss the details or can they- as other posters say, simply talk about the experience and honor God without them.



Liveloved -> RE: A question about disclosing the past (4/27/2008 6:36:37 PM)

quote:

I feel as if many christians judge them


Oh, this is so true. That is why we need to be discerning regarding who we share with and what we share. Although as I also said earlier, the longer you walk with and grow closer to the Lord, the less any of it matters. You leave your reputation with Him and then it does not matter what others say or think. And judge they will. I have seen more evil within the walls of the church than without---sad to say but true.

But I think honesty about our struggles is helpful to others and encourages them to not pretend but be open and honest themselves. What we don't or won't acknowledge, can't be healed. Even the woman who was healed by touching Jesus' garment had to reveal her healing. Interesting.



Cloak -> RE: A question about disclosing the past (4/27/2008 7:45:25 PM)

quote:




Hi-
I totally agree that christians should talk about sins that they are currently struggling with as it says to do so in the bible. My question is more about sins prior to being saved. I ask because some people live lifestyles that are looked down upon by christians and even after they have repented and changed their ways, I feel as if many christians judge them for their former selves. If that person is no longer living in sin, then I wonder is it important to discuss the details or can they- as other posters say, simply talk about the experience and honor God without them.



That's why I said we have to be SELECTIVE AND Discerning and choose safe and healthy Christians when we open up.

One of the marks of healthy Christians is to be Non-judgemental and to not take advantage when others, believers or non-believers open up with them and to NOT use their past against them.

Jesus mixed with many sinners [prostitute, crook, and adulteress]. What was Jesus' attitude toward them? Love, compassion, empathy, sympathy . A healthy Christian should be likewise...take the same attitude of Jesus toward sinners who open up to them!



PureLight -> RE: A question about disclosing the past (5/1/2008 7:05:43 AM)

I see no problem with it.

Revelation 12:11

"They overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death."

I'm happy to provide my testimony whenever needed for it's not me anymore and I'm constantly glad for the fact that I was saved from it. Nothing's going to be used against me if I openly admit that I once WAS it but am not anymore because of Jesus.



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