Online Speech

 

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Social media/networking sites like Facebook and Twitter offer users a measure of isolation and anonymity, while still allowing them to “connect” with other people.  Behind the virtual wall of the computer screen, the restraints of civility and polite conversation are removed.  People feel free to share intimate, personal, and private details – about their own lives, and others’ lives as well.  Disagreements quickly become hostile and antagonistic.  Some use the opportunity to vent their complaints and frustrations.  Discouragement and despair are common themes.  Gossip and slander are offered without remorse, as tasty morsels to faithful followers.  Snarky and sarcastic comments flow freely.  And, let’s not forget the “what illicit drug are you?” quiz results, the daily horoscopes, quotes from movies with questionable, sensual, or vulgar themes, the scantily-clad, suggestively posed pictures, and the “I hate the president” fan clubs.

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But, perhaps because you labeled yourself a “Christian” in your profile, you occasionally feel compelled to share a Bible verse, or a semi-“Christian” platitude, or motivational quote. 

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“…but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” ~James 3:8-10

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If we believe that who we are online is in any way removed from who we are in “real life,” I’m sorry, but we are sadly mistaken.  If your online “persona” is in complete opposition to who you claim to be in real life – one of them is lying.

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“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.” ~1 John 2:15-16

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“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” ~John 15:18-19

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Please understand what I am not saying.  I am not saying that you should not have unbelieving friends or followers. I am not saying that each and every post you make online must be some form of gospel presentation.  I am not saying that each comment must somehow reference Christ and salvation.

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I am saying that if you claim the name of Christ any and all communication that originates with you – verbal or virtual – must without exception honor and glorify our Lord.

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“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” ~2 Corinthians 2:15

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How?

 

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” ~Ephesians 4:29

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But, what would be classified as “corrupting talk”?  Well…

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” ~Galatians 5:19-21

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I think that pretty well sums it up, don’t you?  But, I’ll put a more positive spin on it for you:

“…likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” ~1 Timothy 2:9-10

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Which one describes your online communication – your posts, pictures, comments, updates? 
Are “the works of the flesh evident” in your online speech?
Or, is your online presence adorned “with what is proper for women who profess godliness”?

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Over the next few days we’ll look at some of the ways the works of the flesh specifically – though perhaps unintentionally – manifest themselves in our various online conversations…And, a few guidelines to ensure that our speech gives off “the aroma of Christ,” online, as well as off.

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Please stay tuned!!

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**In the interest of full disclosure, I use both Facebook and Twitter frequently.**

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