What is the latest debate going through social media? 2020 has had so many they seem to change daily. We are living in crazy times! Spending time on social media is no longer a relaxing time of seeing pictures from friends and family, but it is an anxiety-filled experience of finding out the latest topics that divide your friends and family. Add in the fact that many were [are] quarantined, which has caused increase use of social media. Social media creates a constant cultural narrative and debate that we often feel we must weigh in on ourselves. I want to share some ancient Proverbs that should inform our posting! Before posting consider this old wisdom for new technology.
- Words are powerful! “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs 18:21) What you post, comment upon, tweet, or snap-chat matters! Words can encourage, but also destroy, they can give hope, or cause despair. Your words matter, so measure them!
- Silence (not typing) is an option! “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble” (Prov. 21:23). Everyone has an opinion. Since they are sharing theirs we feel like others need or want to hear ours. Often the best thing we can do is be silent. We can avoid much trouble online and in daily living if we control our tongues!
- Consider your sources! “With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered” (Prov. 11:9). Applying this verse to social media, we could write, “Your news feed can destroy you!”. People’s opinions, news articles, and blog posts often come from a worldly, secular, godless perspective. It can harm you emotionally and greatly influence your thoughts and beliefs. Consider your sources, it is only through truth and godly knowledge that you will be delivered. In other words, read your Bibles to know truth and know right from wrong, not social media.
- Be real, not phony! “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth, a stranger, and not your own lips” (Prov. 27:2). “A flattering mouth works ruin” (Prov. 26:28). Social media temps us to be someone we are not. We feel compelled to fit an expectation and image supplied by the world. We pretend, pose, and fake it. Proverbs sees this as arrogance, foolishness, and leading to certain exposure. Be yourself. Realize you are seeing the best of others online and they are real people too.
