The following article is being written on behalf of the Session of G&PPC
Throughout Scripture there are numerous injunctions against sins of the tongue, or the pen, or (in today’s world) the internet. We are admonished not to bear false witness (Ex. 20:16), warned against gossip (2Cor.12:20), and condemned if we slander (Ps.50:20-21; Pr.10:18). Often Christians will refrain from these sins when face to face with another person. Yet, in the age of social media (Face-book, Twitter, blogging, etc) people sometimes seem to lose all sense of control when sitting before their computer, typing comments about the latest irritation in their lives (politicians, doctors, teachers, pastors, merchants, neighbors, parents, spouses, etc). Many times, this method of venting our frustrations crosses the line into the various sins mentioned above.
Like most things in this world, technology has the potential of doing much good. Yet, it also has the potential to do great harm. When using social media the things we write have the potential to be “apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Pr.25:11) or words “full of curses and bitterness.” (Rom.3:14)
As people, who are to show forth the kingdom of God before a watching world, we Christians should always seek to season our words with grace and avoid the appearance of evil. Therefore, let us constantly check ourselves to ensure that we are using the advances of our technological age to reflect the glory of Christ.
With that in mind, I offer the following suggestions that might help us in this ever-growing area of life:
- Remember that information, placed on social media, is automatically public (no longer private)
- Remember that something that is placed on social media, even if we can go back and delete it, may have already been copied and saved by someone else … Ask ourselves if we’d be sorry to have ever made those thoughts public
- Wait 24 hours before placing our frustrations on a social media site
- Before writing out our frustrations on Facebook, etc, write it down on a Word document, print it off, and read it over, asking if that is something we’d want someone to publish about us
- Before placing something on social media check the language and content…
- Is it sarcastic to the point of hurting others?
- Are the comments lewd or obscene?
- Are the comments true and is it necessary to publish them?
- Am I posting pictures of someone that I’d prefer not to have posted about myself?
- Am I divulging private information or information that was given to me in confidence?
- Finally, before placing something on social media ask ourselves, “If today I were to stand before Almighty God, who judges my innermost thoughts, could I give a defense to Him for what I am writing or engaging in now?”
- Install an internet filter to block inappropriate and malicious content. Here are two options for you to consider.
- Covenant Eyes http://www.covenanteyes.com/
- OpenDNS http://www.opendns.com/
The pro’s and con’s of the information age is a broad subject. Much can be said about the dangers of internet pornography, online gambling, etc. However, this article is focusing on the use of social media to commit the sins of the tongue because it is widespread yet frequently ignored or viewed as acceptable.
Remembering the words from James’ letter to the churches, “the tongue (or the fingers on a keyboard) is a fire, a world of unrighteousness” (Js.3:6), let us take every precaution to ensure that the gifts we are given, through God’s common grace, are used for His glory, the encouragement of others, and the advance of His kingdom.
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