Comment Coliseum

When we take up the cross to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Word tells us we will come under attack. It happens in whatever forum the Word is preached, whether written or in public. Jesus came under attack constantly by the Pharisees and Scribes. At first, I allowed all comments to be posted because I felt that conversing about even disputes would be a ministry to those commenting. However, after awhile, the hub topic that was meant to teach, edify and glorify our Lord became as a coliseum of warfare.

Jesus told a parable in the gospels about the sower of seed in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. He speaks of the seed that is trampled and then plucked up by the birds. The Word tells us in Matthew 7:6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” While Christ’s ministry truly feeds His flock, those who walk a crooked path will stop by to read and choose to refute what is written.

The Apostle Paul had a word of rebuke for someone such as this in Acts 13:10 "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?”

Indeed, when a soul that is hungry or thirsty for truth stops to read and receive the good Word, s/he is sometimes turned away because of the “argumentative” comments allowed. This does not glorify God, nor does it bring people closer to Him.

I have experienced harassment by those of whom I denied comments, even to the point of threats to contact all my fans in one click. That hubber posted a hate hub that was pulled and yet still stalks me even now, sending me copies of comments I've posted on hubs, just waiting for me to "trip up".  I've had yet another hate hub posted by an L. Ray Smith cult follower, calling me an "indoctrinated coward", and yet another hubber (a universalist) posted a forum of hatred, which was also shut down by HubPages.  It's really annoying to see my attacker(s) sitting in my fan club every day, too!  I won't be moved by hateful people.

Please know that these are violations of policy and should you ever receive threats, harrassment, stalking and attacks such as this, notify them immediately.

The Word brings comfort to my soul ~~

Matthew 5:11-12 state "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

While those who follow Mosaic Law tell me it’s against God’s law for me to deny comments, I look at what the Bible says under the New Covenant. Let’s look at just a few scriptures that I claim and so can you, praise God!

Matthew 10:23 "But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes."

1 Timothy 6:11-12 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

1 Timothy 6:20-21 “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.”

Titus 3:9 “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”

Each person has freedom of speech here on HubPages within the confines of policy. Each can write whatever s/he desires to write about. While I used to challenge other points of view when I was new to Hub Pages, at that time I felt it was my duty to tell them the “truth”, whether they received it or not. I was relieved to read the passages above, which helped me to realize it is not my spiritual responsibility. Rather, I live by this good Word from Paul to Timothy found in 2 Timothy 4:

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

I thank God, my Lord Jesus Christ, for His Spiritual anointing upon the ministry here and for the brethren that confirm and stand with me, united in Christ. I so appreciate your words of confirmation and encouragement, in that this truly ministers to new readers searching for more of Him. God bless you all as you write for Him, and be encouraged that you need not post all comments, engage in futile disputes, or feel guilty about it. Praise the Lord for His deliverance from all oppression and victory over our Accuser. Amen.

If you're like me, I didn't know how to moderate comments.  If you have existing hubs, you're going to "Edit" the hub.  Scroll down to the comment capsule and click "Edit".  There, you will see check-box options, one which states that all comments must be approved by you before they are posted.  Then, save.  If you are creating a new hub, simply be sure to edit the comment capsule with this preference before you save and publish.  God bless you!