In the World, But Not of It...Social Media - Part Two

The main thing to remember in regard to our activities on Facebook or any other social media outlet is that we are the aroma of Christ to the world.  Let's live out II Corinthians 2:14-15:

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;"

We want to put forth a "sweet aroma" to God as we behave in a manner pleasing to him.  In Part One, I covered our connections to others on Facebook and what reflection that might have on our Lord's reputation in the world.  Now I would like to discuss some ways we should guard our individual behavior.  What ways should we specifically guard our behavior here?  I think there are several areas we should look at: harnessing the tongue, guarding your heart and redeeming the time.

Harnessing the Tongue

We are told in James 3:8-12:

"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.  Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?  Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs?  Nor can salt water produce fresh." (NASB)

The key to remember here is that we are told that "no one" can tame the tongue, but as Christians, we have supernatural power to tame the tongue through the Holy Spirit Who now lives in us as baptized believers.  We cannot do this on our own, but God can work through us to do this by His Spirit.

The internet is a dangerous place for words.  It seems so much easier to type certain things on a computer screen than to say them in person and this outlet can perhaps contribute to lack of discretion on our part.  Here are some further verses to consider in regard to our speech, be it virtual or real.

"But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices."  Colossians 3:8-9 (emphasis mine)

"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."                                                                                Colossians 4:6 (emphasis mine)

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."                                                                                                                         Ephesians 4:29 (emphasis mine) 

"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."                                                                                                                    Matthew 12:36-37

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh word stirs up anger."                                Proverbs 15:1   

Before you type anything on the internet, be it a message, post or comment, consider it by these guidelines:

1. Is it something you would say in person?
2. If it is about someone else, would you say it to that person?
3. Is it true?
4. Is it edifying?  This is for the purpose of building someone up.  Note here that a loving rebuke is also for the purpose of building someone up in Christ.
5. Is it kind?
6. How will it come across?  Sometimes, people read more into things than is there when they read something on a screen based on their perception of you and the relationship.  Would it be better to say this in person to make sure it is clearly understood?

I think if you consider your words before they are "sent" or "posted" online, it will help make sure that your behavior is reflecting Christ to the world!

Guarding Your Heart

In Proverbs 4, during the father's instruction to his sons, he points out the importance of this practice.  Consider Proverbs 4:23:

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (NIV)

"For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit.  For each tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.  The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."                                                       Luke 6:43-45 (NASB)

With what are you filling your heart?  Are the things you are consuming on Facebook and the internet in general filling your heart with "good treasure?"  Are the images you are seeing and the words you are reading bringing you closer to God or drawing you further away? We should also consider I Corinthians 15:33 in regards to whom we keep as close friends, be it on Facebook or in real life:

"Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.' "

The things with which you fill your heart will directly influence your behavior and the words that come out of your mouth.  Take care that these are things which are pleasing to God.  If something arises that is not pleasing to God, turn away and do not dwell on it.  Don't store it up in your heart!

Something that my husband and I made a decision to do to guard our hearts in our relationship with each other is that we do not carry on text conversations with or "friend" members of the opposite sex, outside of close family members, on social media outlets.  This is just a precaution we take to protect our relationship with each other as husband and wife.  I'm definitely not saying that everyone has to do this, but I'm just throwing it out there as something that we do.  As I was saying in the section above regarding harnessing the tongue, it is easy to feel more at ease with saying things, etc. while on the internet in the virtual realm and this tendency could easily lead into inappropriate relationships or temptations in regard to members of the opposite sex.  Additionally, I do not want to give my husband any reason to have concern about my faithfulness to him.  

Redeeming the Time

Paul talks in Ephesians 5:15-16 about the necessity of using your time wisely:

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."  

 Each individual person has to consider this in relation to their own life.  Think about what God-given responsibilities you have, such as your job, your family, your home, etc.  Is the time you spend on Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, etc. keeping you from doing these jobs well or taking away from time you should be spending with your family?  Something else to consider is whether or not this time is benefiting you spiritually.  Sometimes it is not merely a question of whether or not something we are doing is good, but whether or not there is something better to be done instead.

I think carefully considering these three areas, harnessing the tongue, guarding your heart and redeeming the time, will go far in making sure we are pleasing to God in our online behavior.  How do you maintain godly behavior online?  Leave me your thoughts below!  Let's all help each other show Christ to the world through our lives, online and in real life!