God takes words seriously. His word tell us countless times over of the power of words both carelessly spoken and aptly spoken.
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
Matthew 15:18
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
Proverbs 11:12
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:6
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Proverbs 25:11
Please keep in mind that I do not write these words as an act of condemnation toward anyone. How many times have I forgotten the power of words in my daily journeys? Too many to count, I'm sorry to say. I am not using this blog as an opportunity to give anyone a smack down. It is more of a reminder of what God has been reminding me of, through the people I have been ministering to over the past few weeks.
Let him without sin cast the first stone......I will be stepping to the back of that line.
Close your eyes for a moment and think of a time in your life when someone said something to you that filled your emotional sails with joy and in turn set you on a wonderful voyage. You can remember that person. You can remember that time. It may not have been anything that would be considered earth shattering or awesome to someone else, but the words were apples of gold in a setting of silver to your heart and mind. They were words aptly spoken that made you feel loved, accomplished, valued, important......you know how those words made you feel.
Now, think of a time in your life when someone said something cruel and heartless to you, either intentionally or even unintentionally. You remember those words, they seared an unforgettable burden of pain into your heart and mind. They brought forth not only accusation, but also the guilt and shame you were carrying at the time. Those words made you feel worthless, unlovable, unimportant.....you know how those words made you feel.
In both instances the words had power.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. We've all experienced it, both on the giving and receiving ends. We do not regularly recognize the power of our tongues to do good, by speaking good words, but we do fully realize the power and capability of our tongues to rip into someone and tear them to shreds. It seems that has become much easier with the induction of social media. How easy it is to sit behind a computer screen and annihilate another individual. They cannot defend themselves. You don't have to hear their side of the story. (Remember there are always two sides.). You don't have to see their eyes rolling. You don't have to yell over them yelling at you. You don't have to carry the guilt from seeing the pain of your words instantly register on the face of another human being. To me it seems a form of cowardice. If it isn't something you are willing to say to another person's face then perhaps it is something that shouldn't be said at all.
My all time favorite of course (not really) is the post or tweet that indicates a wrong done, but does not name the guilty party. (Pause: I am very sorry to say that on occasion I have been guilty of this one.....recently too. I'm not proud of this admission at all. Hind sight has always made me realize that if I have something to say to someone who has hurt me I need to do it face to face. Matthew 18:15). However, the guilty party inevitably will be able to figure out if it is him/her. They generally know the intimate details of the situation enough to garner the 'set down' they are receiving in the public forum.
Let me pose this question Do you think that God judges differently words conveyed to another via text, tweet or status vs. those spoken in person, on the phone or voice mail?
I think it is safe to conclude that the words we type, tweet, or text still fall under the same realm of holy judgment as those we speak.
Matthew 12:27 says, For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
It doesn't say whether those words are spoken or typewritten. I think it is safe to assume they all count. It doesn't matter if they are on a bathroom wall, a boxcar, a subway train, the underpass of a bridge or Twitter. In God's eyes they count.
God's word is shared in the timeless medium of the page. Does it really matter if the page is a tablet of stone, a piece of paper or an electronic screen- His words or ours?
Moreover, as Christians we are held to a higher calling and expectation in both our words and behavior. Your demonstration of Christ's love whether in person or via social media is visible to the world. Can the people you live life with and share life with on social media see the evidence of Christ in you?
Today, I share with you a few rules and regulations I follow to the best of my ability when sharing my life on social media. I have shared them with my children, I have shared them with my friends, I have shared them in the counseling office. This is not a definitive list. This is my list. You may need to lay down a different set of rules for yourself, but you get the idea. Decide in advance how you are going to behave on social media and stick with it. God's kingdom depends on it.
1. Follow Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
2. Consider your audience. Who are you friends with, following, etc? Is something you are planning on posting a word of encouragement or discouragement? Will it build the person up or tear them down? Recently, I had two very dear friends encounter a very difficult social media situation. One shared a post she felt was very important. However, the same post caused great pain to another friend who thought it was posted as an intentional dig. It wasn't, but none the less it ended up being a most painful situation for both of my friends. In no way was the original post an intentional slight, but I could see how it could be mistaken as such, and in hindsight so could my friend who shared the post. She was heartbroken that she hurt her friend. It wasn't intentional, but we all learned from that situation how important it is to consider your audience.- I know. I know. Just stick with me on this one. I'm sure some are thinking, "If they can't handle it then they shouldn't be on social media." I can most assuredly say that is the wrong attitude and perhaps you need to rethink your motives. Remember the whole love your neighbor as yourself thing? The internet has broadened our scope of neighbors. How do you want your neighbor on social media to love you? Love them the same.
3. If you plan on posting something controversial, be prepared to face the consequences, take the heat, get a smack down, eat crow, be humiliated, proven wrong, feel foolish, get chewed out, etc. Then when it happens be prepared to respond with the love of Christ. You asked for it. You got it. Now you'll have to deal with it. Are you responding as Jesus would want you to? Is your response God honoring?
4. If you aren't sure you should post it, then you better not do it. As a Christian I try and make every effort to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Let's get real here for a moment. You know when the words are typed in the little box and the cursor is blinking at you and you are just sitting there deciding whether or not to hit the post button, and you sense a little niggling in the back of your mind or an uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach, then perhaps you should reconsider hitting the post button. I'm positive most of us know that feeling. Chances are if you feel this way, it is a clear indicator that whatever you are considering posting is not edifying. Now would be a good time to refer back to number 1. Follow Ephesians 4:29.
Again, let me reiterate that this post is not a set down for anyone. It is a reminder to all of us that our witness transcends to the electronic pages in our lives as well. Every facet of our Christian thought, deed and word should reflect the love and compassion of our Lord and Savior. Those who are yet to be found are counting on us, even if they don't realize it. Let's show them who Jesus really is on social media by how we love each other.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. James 1:22-27
