How would you rate your social media presence as a Christian? Do your words and reactions demonstrate a Christ-like approach to dealing with others?
In part one we looked at three principles for maintaining a Christ-like conversation on social media. (click here for part one) Part two will look at four final considerations from Scripture.
1. Your online behavior reflects your offline attitudes…guard your thoughts!
2.Just because you think it, doesn’t mean you need to post it!
3. Avoid online negativity
4.Don’t return evil for evil
Proverbs 15:1 tells us that “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” I think often we hear or see harsh words and then we put our flesh into the drivers seat. Our own passions become enflamed and we react with vitriol and venom. It takes a person controlled by the Spirit to answer with a soft or kind response, diffusing the tension. I have seen in my life that those moments often create open doors to minister to people…doors that would have been slammed shut with an angry response.
Do you realize that it is possible to disarm a negative conversation by being kind…by directing the conversation toward righteousness?
5. Avoid the pride trap
In Proverbs 25:27 we read these words of wisdom. “It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.” We have all been around people that talk more about themselves than anything. Not only is this annoying, but is a symptom of a prideful heart.
One of my hobbies is that I am a beekeeper. Last year I had one hive that gave us an
One way Satan gets the victory in our lives is when we take a part of life, like social media, and we begin to think that it is all about us and our desires. We divorce our spiritual life from our online persona and our social presence becomes all about ‘me’, ‘myself’, and ‘I.’ Avoid this trap by purposing to use your social media presence to make an impact in others for eternity!!
6. Avoid the gossip trap Yes, we have to go there! Gossip is a real problem and must be addressed. I once heard it said that “gossip is talking about other people’s problems when you are neither part of the problem or the solution.” Frankly, the problem goes deeper than that. Scripture tells us to “debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another.” (Proverbs 25:9)
7. Let kindness be your guide Our final thought is driven by a very simple truth from Scripture. Psalm 25:21-22 says, “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink.” We are guided by the Biblical mandate to love the unlovely, to care for the hurting and to give aid to those who are in need. What people need to see from you and me is a loving response to others, regardless of how we have been treated or mistreated.
Jesus exemplifies this perfectly in his response to Peter’s aggressive attack on Malchus in Luke 22. Peter wields his sword and cuts off Malchus’s ear. Christ tenderly responds to the arresting officer by touching his ear and healing him. Consider how that a simple action on the part of Christ not only diffused the situation but also demonstrated grace and mercy to those who would harm him.
We will finish with this simple thought. Paul tells us in Colossians 3:17 that “whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Can you say that about your social media presence?
DJHarry Isaiah 64:8 We are the clay!
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