By Pastor Stephen Hess –
We live in a world that is dominated by social media. Although platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are still relatively new, they have rapidly become part of our everyday lives. Many people check their Facebook account numerous times a day and spend significant time scrolling through their newsfeed or posting content. This digital engagement has only accelerated during the pandemic as people are spending more time online due to limits on in-person activities.
Social media has many positive aspects: It allows us to communicate with family and friends in new ways, share pictures from everyday life, and stay connected to what is happening in our communities. Yet as most of us have quickly figured out, social media also has serious pitfalls: It can easily become a breeding ground for false information, uncivil discourse, and polarization.
Posting content on social media is a type of speech. When we post or share something we are “saying” something to the world. Yet I have noticed that the way we speak on social media is often very different from the way we speak to one another in person. First, we tend to be much more careless on social media. People often share content without first checking to see whether the content is true or asking whether the content is helpful. Second, we tend to be much more harsh on social media. Since we are looking into a computer screen rather than someone’s eyes it becomes much easier to say things that are rude, sarcastic, and cynical. Third, we tend to be much more tribal on social media. Polarizing and divisive political posts seem endless even among those who would rarely discuss such topics in person.
Because social media is still such a new phenomenon in our culture, very little time has been spent reflecting on how Christians should use it. Yet because there are so many pitfalls, there is a desperate need for Christians to step back and examine what it means to honor Christ with the way we use this kind of technology.
While the Bible does not explicitly speak to social media (obviously there was no Facebook in Jesus’ day), it does say a great deal about how we use our words and speak to others. I recently looked at some of the key passages in the Bible about speech and then reworded them for our digital age. The result was quite convicting. Here are a few samples:
- “When [posts] are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his [posts] is prudent.” – Proverbs 10:19
- “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they [post], for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:36-37
- “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart [a person posts].” – Luke 6:45
- “Let no corrupting [post show up on your wall], 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
- “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, [post] about these things.” – Philippians 4:8
- “Let your [posts] always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:6
- “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to [post], slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19-20
- “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his [posts] but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” – James 1:26
In addition to reflecting on these passages, Christians would do well to ask some questions before posting something online. Here are several that I think are helpful: Am I sure that this information is true? (Ex. 23:1). Is this post harsh? (Gal. 5:22-23; Tit. 3:2). Is this post quarrelsome? (Prov. 20:3; 2 Tim. 2:23). Is this post divisive? (1 Cor. 1:10). Does this post build others up or tear others down? (Rom. 14:19). How will this post be perceived by my fellow Christians? (Rom. 14:13). How will this post be perceived by non-believers? (Matt. 5:16). Does this post honor Jesus? (Col. 3:17).
Social media has a way of revealing our idols to the world. As Christians we are commanded to submit every part of our lives to Christ, which includes our social media habits. We are called not to follow the broad road of angry posts, false reports, and political tribalism. Instead we are called to follow the narrow path of discipleship. In doing this we have the opportunity to show the world a better way—the way of Jesus.