Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

SignUp Now!
  • Welcome to Talk Jesus Christian Forums

    Celebrating 20 Years!

    A bible based, Jesus Christ centered community.

    Register Log In

Are we who we seem to be.........? A challenge.

Is what we present here how we are in reality?

  • Yes always

    Votes: 2 20.0%
  • No never

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Most of the time

    Votes: 3 30.0%
  • Some of the time

    Votes: 5 50.0%

  • Total voters
    10

Fragrant Grace

Moderator
Staff Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
Messages
5,748
This post written on another thread in June by our dear brother Bendito has played on my heart and mind somewhat:

We are all friends here on this forum... we get to know one another quite well.. That being said...When I say something...before you take offense at me...why not take a look at me and ask yourself..."Is that the kind of person Bendito is? What does he usually share?...Is he a gentle person or does he like to swing a club at everybody?...Mr Bear...the name gives the impression of a gruff growly grizzly but is in fact a loving teddy bear. He never shoots at anyone to hurt them...Dave M...He seems to like facts and is pretty good at backing up his opinions with scripture...He hides it most of the time but is quite sensitive...he feels things strongly. Amadeus is an old fashioned Christian...he stands strong on the doctrines he's learned all his life and is not opposed to learning more He likes to keep a grip on where he is standing until he has a firm footing on his next position...Fragrant Grace...gentle senstive loving, heart of a momma lion and no fear of speaking straight up. At Peace....A man who is in love with God and loves the scripture, but he's locked into legalism and misses a lot. Believes its important to walk a sinless life, and is correct but is still learning...His diplomatic skills are weak but his honesty outweighs that...
Each of us is different and each of us must make allowance for the other.


It has really made me question (on a personal level) whether in real life we are what people may see or percieve here.

So a few questions:

Is our testimony at Talk Jesus somewhat rosy and glossed?
Are we more able to present our ideal (or unideal) selves here because in cyberspace its easier than in the physical?
Would brother Bendito or percieve us the same meeting us in person?

I ask myself do my husband and children see me the same way from day to day?

"gentle senstive loving, heart of a momma lion and no fear of speaking straight up"
This is quite a challenge because Im not sure they would agree even some of the time let alone all of the time.

Thank you for presenting this @Bendito.....it is deeper than you may have realised


Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
Philippians 2:14-18



 
If you really want to know how a person really is, then you need to "observe" them when they do not know know anyone else is around. What people do alone is how they really are. Which is why scripture tells us "from now on do not know anyone after the flesh...." (2 Cor 5:16) It is just to easy to deceive people through outward actions. The fruit of the Holy Spirit can not be "faked" whether online or in person, because "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45)
There is an anointing on the words people say or write, and the heart of all born again believers (if they are really saved) know it. It is easy to identify the Holy Spirit when you have the same Spirit as they.

All words spoken or written paint images of what is being spoken, or written.

Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

The Galatian Church had never seen Jesus, yet Jesus was pictured before their very eyes as crucified through the Word of God they heard, and read. The "living Word" create living images that are alive!!

There has never been a person who walked in loved as Jesus, because he was love in action, For God is love! Jesus spoke the truth in love, but sometimes he spoke words that were hard to many people. He even offended many because of it, but it was not to strike out to hurt anyone. All people, no matter who they are are entitled to the truth, even if it hurts them. For someone to say to me....your OK, God will take care of it when i am doing wrong is NOT loving me. What I write on this forum is how I am at home! If I was not, then I am only deceiving my own self. :)
 
Last edited:
If you really want to know how a person really is, then you need to "observe" them when they do not know know anyone else is around. What people do alone is how they really are.

Thats interesting thank you @Curtis for taking time to answer

Sometimes people can be calmer when no-one is around....and irritated in crowds/compny

It would be good to be how brother Bendito has perceived me here at TJ.....all the time in real life.
Cyberspace paints a rosy image.
Its a great challenge though.
 
I think cyber space probably lets you get to know a person faster then in real life maybe. I dont really see any on here painting a rosey picture of a perfect life (except one person) most people on here seem honest because they bring up there faults and that take a humble person to do that. IMO

It is easier for most people me included I would think to open up to people on cyber space then in real life.
 
In a nice way, I'd take the opposite view to Dave M.

Participating in a forum like this is a filtered process. We all edit ourselves a little, and reveal only what we are comfortable for others to see on a public forum. That's ok, I think.

Looking back at some of my posts, I'd say that what I've said is honest and a true reflection of my personality and motivations. But it's a long way from giving the whole picture about me and my history. For that, you'd need to come round to my place, eat together, talk for a while and pray together.

My guess is that most people here have no idea whether I am a charismatic personality or rather reserved, softly spoken or loud, highly emotional or consistent and pragmatic.

(For anybody who is interested, I am six foot two, closely resemble a young Clark Gable, with matching mesmerising wit and charm. I am also a serial fantasist)
 
People are different online than in person and for various reasons. Sometimes people hide their faults while online, simply by not sharing what they are, not really sinning, just wanting to be private. I try to be more understanding online than in person, because I know that (in person) lying to someone to avoid hurting them doesnt really do them any favors, so I either wont respond or I will tell them what I really think in a kind as possible way, but knowing it will hurt them some. If we love our neighbor, we will share the truth with them. But online, I cant read the body language of the person I am speaking to, to know if they REALLY want to know the truth, or just like to talk. I can be sociable, but I prefer to be real. God has given me a powerful gift of being able to discern many spiritual and emotional states of people around me, so that I can more readily give them good advice, but online people can hide much of who they are, so that I am less able to "read" where they are at, although God through the Holy Spirit even tells me at times their spiritual and emotional state, despite never having met them in person. But thats up to the Lord, short of the Holy Spirit's guidance to help me in that area, I dont always understand peoples motivations online. But just being friendly with people who are friendly back is fun as well.
 
People are different online than in person and for various reasons. Sometimes people hide their faults while online, simply by not sharing what they are

In agreement @Brad Huber

Our characters online can certainly filter out those flaws that may only be seen in real life situations.

So perhaps on the whole people see the best of us here, the ideal parts?
 
In agreement @Brad Huber

Our characters online can certainly filter out those flaws that may only be seen in real life situations.

So perhaps on the whole people see the best of us here, the ideal parts?
For the nice ones, definitely, but we all have some darkness in us I believe, but as long as we dont feed the darkness, it slowly shrivels up and dies with time. But some ppl display the darkness in them which I cant really be too hard on them, as most of us are slowly changing from darkness to light, from the time of rebirth, sometimes falling away, and then coming back. Its not always a linear path, but if we acknowledge our faults and continue our fight with the help of Jesus, to become more like Christ, then I can find little fault with the weak. Sometimes I am weak as well.

But yes, I think people like to put their best foot forward with people they want to be friends with. Its like that in dating I think as well, people by putting their best foot forward, hope to win over others, and hiding their faults until they feel more secure in sharing those faults. A wise woman once told me you dont really know someone until you turn your back to the alter, thats when they relax, as if saying "I got them now, so I can be myself more so now." Its just a normal part of our culture to hide our faults, but if we can at least admit them to Jesus, and ask Him to help us change, its okay I think.
 
For me my faith is who I am. I have no other design , I am who I am in Christ. I live, eat, sleep and breath the Word. Everyone who meets me and knows me- knows Him in me and that I am in Him.
Faith and Works James 2:17-19
…17So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that, and shudder!…
All who meet me meet Christ, and I only seek the company of those whom, I too can meet Christ in. Christ Words are the measure by which I measure and would expect to be measured by. In that I can not falter nor fault another who too is living the Word. Christ is the measure in which I apply to measure myself and others.
The Selfishness of the Unfriendly Proverbs 18:1-24

1He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;

he rebels against all sound judgment.

2A fool does not delight in understanding,

but only in airing his opinions.

3With a wicked man comes contempt as well,

and shame is accompanied by disgrace.

4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good,

nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

6A fool’s lips bring strife,

and his mouth invites a beating.

7A fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8A gossip’s words are like choice morsels,

and they sink into the inmost being.

9Whoever is slothful in his work

is brother to him who destroys.

10The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.

11A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;

it is like a high wall in his imagination.

12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,

but humility comes before honor.

13He who answers a matter before he hears it—

this is folly and disgrace to him.

14The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,

but who can survive a broken spirit?

15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

16A man’s gift opens doors for him,

and brings him before great men.

17The first to state his case seems right

until another comes forward and examines him.

18Casting the lot ends quarrels

and separates strong opponents.

19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city,

and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled;

with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

21Life and death are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22He who finds a wife finds a good thing

and obtains favor from the LORD.

23The poor man pleads for mercy,

but the rich man answers harshly.

24A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.


Oh what a friend we have in Jesus, for we gain friends of His design! God Bless!
 
Only God sees us as we are all of the time. When a person meets the Lord he should begin to grow/change and as he grows/changes he will start to see himself better and see God better so that he can press toward the mark of the high calling. Before meeting the Master we could not even see that mark.

Is our vision of ourselves improving?
Is our vision of God improving?

We were blind but having met the Master we now may be seeing better although it is likely still as through a glass darkly. If we continue to grow/change we should always be approaching that face to face vision of which Apostle Paul writes [I Cor 13:12]. Remember also what Solomon wrote:

"Where there is no vision, the people perish:.." Prov 29:18

Blind people if not properly led will end up falling into a ditch.
We must see ourselves with all our flaws and we must see God... Which one do we suppose must come first?

For those who believe just one "I believe" and "one repentance" and "one touch" from Jesus will instantly make our vision perfectly clear consider these verses:

"And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." Mark 8:22-25
 
In agreement @Brad Huber

Our characters online can certainly filter out those flaws that may only be seen in real life situations.

So perhaps on the whole people see the best of us here, the ideal parts?

I think the forum format lends itself more to expressing the analytical, reasoning side of our personalities, less of the spontaneous, emotional and creative. That's not good or bad in itself, it's just not the full picture.
 
Back
Top