Spend a few seconds reading the comments on a blog post, and you’ll instantly regret it. Did I forget to mention that this blog post is written by a Christian? And did I forget to mention that the comments are also from professing Christians? For all of the great content on the Internet, there is also a lot of anti-Christian babble, back and forth, and comments—and this should not be.
When it comes to engaging on the Internet, whether it’s a blog, a tweet, a comment, or a Facebook back and forth, there are some Kingdom principles and ethics that we must have at the front of our cerebrum.
“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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4.29-32″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Ephesians 4:29-32 ESV)
Is this sentence going to serve my brother or sister, or is it going to help me feel like I’m winning an argument? Is the cross of our Lord Jesus in the background and foreground—or is it nowhere to be found?
“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5.15″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV)
Am I returning a jab? Am I returning snark with snark? Am I seeking what is good? Am I fueling a fire?
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5.1-2″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV)
When I release these comments, am I walking in love or anger? Do I have Christ’s posture or Satan’s?
“How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 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. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” (James 3.5-12″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>James 3:5-12 ESV)
Is my mouth, Facebook, Twitter feed or blog a contradiction to Christ?
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” (1 Timothy 6.3-5″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>1 Timothy 6:3-5 ESV)
Do I act like a false teacher when opposing false teaching?
“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.” (2 Timothy 2.23-25″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>2 Timothy 2:23-25 ESV)
Is this something I can ignore? Am I kind to everyone? Do I correct the opposing side with gentleness?
