Hold the line, please
Posted in change, integrity, Misti's Posts, repentance 0 comments
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
Social media is an ingrained part of today's culture. Although the innovation appeared some years after my generation reached adulthood, it has transcended many of the hallmarks that once separated my grandparents, parents, and children. We are shocked when faced with a person (even someone elderly) who says, "What's Facebook?" I read an article yesterday chronicling the story of three U.S. colleges who say they've invented a "Facebook score" that employers can, in theory, use to screen potential employees. Check out the article here. Which brings me to my message today.
Followers of Christ are taught that our outward demeanor will tell people much about us. The above verse from Ephesians is one such instruction. The message is clear: use your tongue to build up, not tear down. There is another which is like it: Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.-Colossians 4:5 Having taught not only students, but also adults in Sunday school, I can recall lesson upon lesson that attempts to drill this concept into the minds of God's children.
There seems to be a great disconnect between social media and God's command to speak kindly to one another. So many of the posts I come across are slams against someone. Arguments between friends are becoming public knowledge. Hatred toward a political party (or candidate) or a celebrity is expressed freely, and without remorse. Friends and enemies alike use social media as an opportunity to publicly humiliate each other.
Please do not misunderstand me. I am not trying to say that Facebook is evil. This problem is manifested in other arenas as well. Customer service reps are regularly badgered, badmouthed, and cussed out over the phone by customers who are dissatisfied with their company's service. (Regardless of whether that particular rep is personally responsible for the issue). I myself have suffered such wrath from people who, in their rage at something they feel slighted by, fail to recognize that I am a person with feelings just like them.
The heart of the problem is just that: our hearts. We feel angry toward someone or something, and we lash out. And the fact that we don't have to look our victim in the eye while we're doing so makes it all SO much easier. We can pretend that the person on the other end of the line is just a recording. That the person we are posting nasty things about either won't see the post or won't know it's about them. We can pretend that our very public sin against them won't actually hurt them.
Paul reminds us of Jesus' teachings on this subject. Be angry, and yet do not sin; don't let the sun go down on your anger."-Ephesians 4:26 Jesus got angry. And how! He turned over the tables of the merchants selling in the temple! How's that for a public display? The difference is that Jesus' anger was righteous, and His actions were backed up by words that did not aim to hurt or humiliate. His words were meant to call others out on THEIR sin and to bring them to a point of repentance.
We need to step up and recognize the sin we are committing when we post hurtful things on Facebook. At the very least, remember that those words are out on the web FOREVER. Even if you can mend the broken relationship caused by them, you can NEVER take them back. And the ripples of those short moments when you have allowed the devil a foothold will follow you throughout your life. If you continue in this type of behavior, don't be surprised if it comes back around during a job interview.
Social media is an ingrained part of today's culture. Although the innovation appeared some years after my generation reached adulthood, it has transcended many of the hallmarks that once separated my grandparents, parents, and children. We are shocked when faced with a person (even someone elderly) who says, "What's Facebook?" I read an article yesterday chronicling the story of three U.S. colleges who say they've invented a "Facebook score" that employers can, in theory, use to screen potential employees. Check out the article here. Which brings me to my message today.
Followers of Christ are taught that our outward demeanor will tell people much about us. The above verse from Ephesians is one such instruction. The message is clear: use your tongue to build up, not tear down. There is another which is like it: Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.-Colossians 4:5 Having taught not only students, but also adults in Sunday school, I can recall lesson upon lesson that attempts to drill this concept into the minds of God's children.
There seems to be a great disconnect between social media and God's command to speak kindly to one another. So many of the posts I come across are slams against someone. Arguments between friends are becoming public knowledge. Hatred toward a political party (or candidate) or a celebrity is expressed freely, and without remorse. Friends and enemies alike use social media as an opportunity to publicly humiliate each other.
Please do not misunderstand me. I am not trying to say that Facebook is evil. This problem is manifested in other arenas as well. Customer service reps are regularly badgered, badmouthed, and cussed out over the phone by customers who are dissatisfied with their company's service. (Regardless of whether that particular rep is personally responsible for the issue). I myself have suffered such wrath from people who, in their rage at something they feel slighted by, fail to recognize that I am a person with feelings just like them.
The heart of the problem is just that: our hearts. We feel angry toward someone or something, and we lash out. And the fact that we don't have to look our victim in the eye while we're doing so makes it all SO much easier. We can pretend that the person on the other end of the line is just a recording. That the person we are posting nasty things about either won't see the post or won't know it's about them. We can pretend that our very public sin against them won't actually hurt them.
Paul reminds us of Jesus' teachings on this subject. Be angry, and yet do not sin; don't let the sun go down on your anger."-Ephesians 4:26 Jesus got angry. And how! He turned over the tables of the merchants selling in the temple! How's that for a public display? The difference is that Jesus' anger was righteous, and His actions were backed up by words that did not aim to hurt or humiliate. His words were meant to call others out on THEIR sin and to bring them to a point of repentance.
We need to step up and recognize the sin we are committing when we post hurtful things on Facebook. At the very least, remember that those words are out on the web FOREVER. Even if you can mend the broken relationship caused by them, you can NEVER take them back. And the ripples of those short moments when you have allowed the devil a foothold will follow you throughout your life. If you continue in this type of behavior, don't be surprised if it comes back around during a job interview.
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