Trolls and debaters

We also encounter them in our work, trolls, debaters and disputers. What is a troll?

A troll is a person who posts messages / starts discussions in an (internet) environment to provoke predictable emotional reactions such as anger, irritation, sadness or name-calling. He deliberately gives misinformation or deliberately pretends to be someone else.

And make no mistake, they are not only there on the internet, but also on the street. They say they would like to talk to you about topic X, but in reality they want to have a monologue about what they think, and are not open to a different opinion, on the contrary. They don’t care about the conversation, they care about the riot and their own honor.

That reminded me of the verse in Jeremiah:

Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear:

Jeremiah 5:21

So, it is not surprising that you encounter people who do not want to listen. If people won’t listen to God, why would they listen to you? So, it’s normal to see them (how sad it is, though).

But yeah…. How do you deal with them if you do encounter them?

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance, leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:23-26

In other words, try to stay away from it at first, (sentence one), if you do start the conversation, stay friendly and give correct explanations, (part two) , and then… God can help them see that they are doing wrong. Because: they are in the grip of the devil, who keeps them captive.

And if they still don’t want to listen? What are you going to do?

Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.

Mark 6:10-11

And then we stop the discussion, and move on. Because:

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Matthew 7:6

And that’s what we do in that case. We are happy to start a conversation with anyone who wants it! But if we find out, they’re trolls? In Dutch, it is called in short: we have better things to do, and we prefer to use our energy for something that pays off for God’s glory. And then we move on, on to the next conversation and leave it to God. Full stop.

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

John 15:20

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9