How Christians Ought to Interact with Others on Social Media
The three steps of social media conversations.
While social media didn’t exist in the first century, the words of James apply to our world of Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms.
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
Christians are supposed to be concerned with producing the righteousness of God. How can we produce the righteousness of God in the part of our lives on social media?
Swift to Hear.
Being swift to hear means being “ready to hear.”
While social media is full of individuals trying to be the first one to speak into the microphone, the Christian takes a different approach. While everyone else is running to speak, the Christian should be running to listen.
There is wisdom in being quiet while others are speaking or shouting.
You will identify who understands what they are talking about and who doesn’t.
You will learn if there is value in the content of the message or if it is worthless.
You will discover what others believe and think about a particular subject, which will matter tremendously if you intend to enter the conversation.
You will know where you ought to begin speaking - or if you should speak at all.
While many claim, “Silence is violence” or to be silent is to agree with the other side - God says something different. God says, “Be swift to listen first.”
Slow to Begin Speaking.
Once we say something, we cannot take it back. Many people regret saying something when they should have remained silent.
I often regret that I have spoken; never that I have been silent. - Publilius Syrus
On social media, Christians need to be slow to begin speaking. Words matter.
Listen a long time before saying anything, as much as possible. When you say something on social media, think about what you want to say before posting it where everyone can read it. You might even want to let a day go by before you respond.
Slow to Get Angry.
Abraham Lincoln had an interesting practice whenever he became angry with someone. He would write a “hot letter” in which he poured out all his emotions and thoughts about what the person had done that angered him.
Then he would set the letter aside and go back to it later when his anger had cooled. He would write, “Never sent. Never signed,” and compose his thoughts in a more calm and collected way.
When you read something on social media that makes you angry, you will likely want to respond immediately.
God’s Word urges us not to do this. Be slow to get angry. Don’t speak (or type) when your emotions are running high.
As Christians, if we practice these three things in our conversations on social media, we will produce the righteousness of God. We will be Christ-like in our interactions with others.
Keep your light shining bright so that the world can see Christ living in you - even on social media.
