Social media. Like most people I enjoy it for the benefits it offers. The ability to catch up with old friends or distant family. The opportunity to keep in touch with people you just don’t get to see very often. One of my favorite things is to see a flood of good news on Facebook or Twitter any given day. I love seeing reports from churches that are doing good things and who are making an impact in their communities and around the world. I love the content social media gives me easy access to. Social media is such a blessing. But…
But just as much as social media is a blessing it is also a curse. It’s a blessing in that it can show the best in us. It’s a curse in that it can show the worst in us. And the sad reality is that it has. Practically everyday I’ll scan my Facebook newsfeed and leave shaking my head at the way some people act, what some people will say, the way some people will treat one another behind the shield of a keyboard. Despite having some very strict personal rules for my interactions I’m not going to pretend I’ve never let emotions get the better of me in the world of social media. I’ve made the occasional exception to those rules, yet have always lived to regret it.
I’m not saying don’t use social media, I’m not saying don’t ever post anything, I’m not saying don’t ever comment on anything else someone else has posted. How wrapped up you want to be in certain threads is up to you. What I do want to suggest is that before you ever click “post” on anything you ever want to share on social media that you stop for a second and ask yourself five questions…
- What would God think of this? The only reason we could ever be mean-spirited, hateful, or spiteful is if we just quit caring about how we look to God. There are simply too many scriptures that cite our need to always live and act according to Christian kindness (Matthew 5:44; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:10); 1 Thessalonians 3:12, etc.). It seems that I remember a time when Jesus was facing some mean-spirited, hateful, and spiteful people of the worst kind and the way Jesus dealt with their ignorance and vicious attacks was that “he answered nothing” (Matthew 27:12). Sometimes our silence says far more than words ever could and that is particularly true in the world of social media. But if I choose to speak I better ask myself what God would think of what I’m saying.
- What do I know? Is what I’m fixing to post true, honest, accurate? Do I have all the facts about whatever it is I’m saying? Is it possible that I don’t know the extent of the story? This is particularly an important question when it comes to engaging in Biblical discussions. We do more harm than we ever could do good when we speak out of ignorance. A little knowledge is a very dangerous thing and a lot of the content I see posted to social media is born out of ignorance. What James said is so true – “…the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things” (James 3:5a). So whatever comes out of the mouth (or makes its way into social media) had better be based on absolute knowledge or else I may be walking into a world of hurt.
- What should I say? Notice I didn’t ask “what can I say?”. You can say anything you want, but just because you can say it doesn’t mean you should. And if you choose to speak how should you say it? It’s amazing how a little thought, a little tact, and a little restraint can make the point, say what needs to be said, and leave relationships intact. But sadly we often witness the exact opposite when it comes to social media. To many it is a place to speak your mind. I can’t imagine the number of posts I see on a regular basis that start with the words “I probably shouldn’t say this, but…” and then proceed to say it anyway. If our first inclination is that we shouldn’t say something then we should probably trust that. Paul advised “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6). Before you click “post” stop, take a deep breath, count to ten, and ask yourself if what you just typed is really what you should say
- What could it do? Too often we speak (or post) and never consider the possible impact of our words. After all, we live in a free speech society. Don’t we have the right to say whatever we want? But could my words build up, positively affect the situation, and accomplish something good or will my words do nothing but make matters worse. Sometimes we say hurtful, mean spirited, or counterproductive things under the guise that we’re just telling the truth or that we’re just telling people what they need to hear. James bemoaned the idea that a person could bless God and curse men with the same mouth (James 3:9-10). His mentality towards this was “My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” When you choose to speak (or post) please consider what words you should use and what they could possibly do.
- What is your goal? There are natural consequences to anything we say or do and we have a lot of influence on what that consequence will be. So anytime we post something we need to ask ourselves what we are really hoping to accomplish. Am I trying to be helpful or am I just being antagonistic? Do I want to inform and warn or do I just want to condemn? Am I satisfied with just being critical or do I really want to enact meaningful change? I guess the question really is am I trying to be light (Matthew 5:14-16)? Before you click “post” stop and carefully ask yourself what your goal is. If your goal isn’t God’s goal then stop before you say something you’ll probably live to regret.
Social media is such a tremendous tool at our disposal. It is a tool that we can even use to reach the world with the gospel if used properly. But it isn’t going to matter how many sermons, blog posts, verses of the day, or thought provoking memes we might post in the course of the day if we don’t otherwise use extreme caution in our interactions with others in social media. Use it with caution.
-Andy
Very well put Andy. thank you!