For those of us who call ourselves Christians, social media does not exempt us from acting, speaking and writing in ways that are consistent with the teaching and example of the One we claim to follow. Almost every book of our Bibles warns us to be very careful about what we say, how we say it, and to whom. How much more relevant are these warnings given that our words on social media are out there for all to read, over and over again! Thus words that are unkind, unwholesome, slanderous, judgmental, spoken in anger and/or self-righteousness, etc., can do even more damage to more people and bring shame on the Gospel.
As Christians, we are called by the One we confess as "Lord" to "Thus, let your light shine shine in the presence of people so they might see your good works and honour your Father who is in heaven."
Also, in the letter to the Ephesians, "Do not let any rotten word come out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up according to the need, so that it might give benefit to those who hear."
When those of us who call ourselves Christians attack each other, we bring disgrace on the One we claim to follow. For those of us who are accused, slandered or in otherwise are verbally attacked, may we choose to imitate Jesus, as we are called to do in the letter of 1 Peter, "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly."
Let us refresh our memory and restore our convictions to keep our tongues in check by reading and reflecting on the very direct challenge in James' letter, chapter 3. Please read all of it.
"1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh."
OK, I'll stop preaching now and do my best to put this into practice in my own life today.
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