News Groups and Chat Rooms

    Internet technology is a fascinating and powerful thing. I am in awe of the capability so many of us have to communicate around the world in an instant, all because of the internet. Obviously, my web site is proof that I believe the internet can be a wonderful tool for good. The very same qualities that make the internet so wonderful can also make it  very harmful and destructive. As good news can be transmitted extensively, so can bad news.

    It saddens me, that with so much good to be done through this technology, there are those who waste or abuse it. For example, I have visited sites where religious discussion was being promoted. I assumed that the purpose of these discussion groups was to encourage people of various opinions and points of view to come together in civility and propriety to share. In some cases this is in fact what happens. However, on other sites, supposedly meant for Christian discussion, I have encountered some of the most inflammatory and derogatory language I have found any where. Many secular web sites are conducted with more respect and courtesy that some Christian sites. One must wonder where the difference lies.

    I cannot imagine what a non-Christian thinks when they visit one of these sites and finds Christians intensely attacking and fighting one another. This does great harm to the propagation of the Gospel and the cause of Christ. Paul admonished the Galatian Christians: "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." (Galatians 5:15 NIV) It should gives us serious pause to realize that the other mentioned in Scripture who seeks to devour is Satan. 

    I would caution my brothers and sisters to avoid contentious and adversarial News and Chat groups. They do not inspire and encourage, but only promote anger and further confusion. Argumentative people have a personal agenda which flows from their own personal character disorder. We are to pray for them, while we avoid their quarreling. Paul taught: 

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. (Titus 3:8,9 KJV)

    There is most certainly a place for taking a stand and defending the truth. Nevertheless, I do not believe there is any profit in personal aspersions or disparagements. Let us defend our convictions and fight to the end for what we believe to be true. But, let it be without rancor and vindictiveness. 

    There are a good many fine web site which will guide you into sound biblical understanding. The disputatious sites would be best left alone. I would instead encourage you to visit only those sites where a "good report" is given and truth is promoted and defended to the up building and edifying of the Kingdom of God. 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

    It is much easier and more self-serving, to be bitter, attack, and bring strife than it is to bring peace and gentleness. But, our calling is to be wise, show mercy, and harvest the fruit of righteousness in peace, as did Christ.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:14-18 KJV)