Forum Rules

BibleTalk is for people to discuss the Bible together. To help preserve this community, please keep your comments respectful, uplifting, and consistent with Christian values. These guidelines apply to every comment, reply, prayer request, and testimony posted here.

Reflect the Fruit of the Spirit

Let your words be shaped by:

  • Kindness — a gentle nature and a desire to help others (Colossians 3:12-13).
  • Respect — treat others the way you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12, the Golden Rule).
  • Love — unselfish, patient concern for the good of another (1 Corinthians 13:4-6).
  • Meekness — quiet strength, without resentment (2 Timothy 2:25).
  • Mercy — compassion toward those in distress, even those who wrong you (Matthew 5:7).
  • Humility — not thinking of yourself as superior to others (James 4:6).

Specific Rules

  1. Do not quarrel. Respectful discussion of differing viewpoints is welcome, but arguing or quarreling is not — especially personal attacks or disrespectful words (Romans 14:19). Saying "you're wrong" is argumentative and not allowed.
  2. Be respectful. Use gentle, respectful, uplifting words, even when you disagree. Share how you came to your own interpretation rather than attacking someone else's. Treat everyone as someone God loves and made in His image. Anyone — of any faith or none — may respectfully ask questions or share a perspective, as long as it's genuine and open-minded, not merely promotion of a personal agenda (Matthew 10:16).
  3. Think before posting. If a reply uses words you take negatively, pause before responding in kind. Ask: would you say this to someone you love, to a pastor, or to Jesus's face? If not, hold your tongue (Hebrews 13:2).
  4. No self-promotion or marketing. Citing a source (like an article title) is fine if relevant, but promoting products, services, channels, blogs, or websites is not allowed.
  5. No outside links. Links to other websites aren't permitted — we can't vet the safety or accuracy of external content. This includes broken, incomplete, or disguised links.
  6. Respect others' privacy. Don't post anyone's full name, workplace, contact details, or other personal information — including your own (phone, email, address).
  7. Share equally. Being respectful includes not dominating the conversation.
  8. Stay on topic. Keep replies relevant to the comment or discussion you're responding to.
  9. One identity per person. Use a consistent name and a valid, working email for your account. Don't create multiple identities.
  10. No falsehoods or disparaging remarks. Genuine questions and honest sharing of faith (or doubt) are welcome, but intentionally slandering God, Jesus, Christians, the Bible, other commenters, or the site is not — nor is repeatedly posting untrue information (James 4:11, Proverbs 12:22).
  11. Help protect the community. If you see something inappropriate, use the ⚑ Report button beneath the comment (1 Peter 5:8).

Overall: be careful with your tongue — the words we communicate to others matter.

A Few Practical Notes

  • Bible references like "John 3:16" are automatically detected and show a preview of the verse when you hover or tap on them.
  • "Amen!" lets you show appreciation for a comment.
  • Comments with too many special characters, excessive caps, or filtered language may be blocked from posting — simply revise and try again.