My Social Media Doesn't Always Reflect Christ. Here's How I Want To Change That.
Seeing my Facebook memories sometimes causes my soul to cringe at the things I’ve posted in the past.
For that very reason, I respect Christians who stay off social media. I also respect Christians who are on social media but refuse to get involved in petty disagreements in the comments or write edgy posts.
I respect those Christians because I’m not one of them. I’ve always used my social media to write what’s on my mind and sometimes give my friends and followers my unfiltered takes. That often leads to regret. Thankfully, that also means God has been gracious enough to grow me out of a lot of that immature behavior online, but I often find myself falling back into a pattern of holding an argumentative spirit on social media.
A good friend of mine has helped me see how I need to continue to grow in this area. He shared his own convictions with me and pointed out where I’m not being gracious with my posts and interactions.
God is not always pleased with my social media. I’m certain of that.
I’m much more confident arguing with people on Twitter than I am speaking to them in person--part of that is because I’m a writer, but most of that is because I'm a coward. It’s easy to sit on my couch and type an uncharitable response on my phone, but it’s hard to meet someone face to face and make the same comment.
That doesn’t please God.
If I wouldn’t seek someone’s embarrassment in person, I shouldn’t be so set on seeking it on social media.
I need to be better at using my social media to point to Christ, not to point fingers at others. The apostles Paul and Peter couldn’t be more clear on this issue. In Colossians, Paul writes,
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (4:6).
Notice the adverb “always.” Speaking graciously isn’t a recommendation for certain contexts or for when we’re talking to a specific audience. Paul, through the Holy Spirit, commands us to always speak graciously.
In 1 Timothy, Paul encourages his brother in Christ,
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity (4:12).
Our speech is one of the most important ways we set examples for others in how Christ is reigning over our lives. That floods over into how we use social media. I set an example with each and every word I write whether I try to or not, and I’m convicted of the many posts I can think of that have not set an example that honors Christ.
Peter tells his fellow believers,
“Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Pet 2:12).
As Paul tells us to set an example with our speech for Christians, Peter commands that we should also set an example for Christ among unbelievers (whom he refers to as Gentiles).
I’m surrounded by unbelievers on social media who see my posts, reactions, and conduct. While non-Christians should never control what I write, say, or post, they should not be ignored in my consideration of who I’m speaking to when I get on social media. Scripture literally tells us to think of unbelievers when we act and speak in public.
My social media conduct doesn’t always reflect what the Bible tells me to consider, and I need to continue to grow in this area.
That doesn’t mean I’m not going to address the evils and injustices in our government, our churches, and our culture. Just as it would be abusing social media to dishonor Christ among unbelievers, it would also be a misuse of social media to turn a blind eye to wrong and pretend like everything is great.
Social media is an incredible tool, especially if it can be used to promote positive change and call out obvious evil. But it can be easy for me to get so caught up in petty disagreements when I use social media that it won’t matter when I address a real issue and point to Christ because it will just be seen as one more thing I’m complaining about.
There is a better way to use social media, and Scripture points to it.
The fruit of the Spirit is a great manual to use for our conduct on social media. Of course, not everything I post needs to clearly reflect each fruit, but nothing I post should reflect the opposite of these fruits. Here’s a list of questions I need to start asking myself before I hit publish to avoid going against the fruit of the Spirit:
Love: Does what I’m posting show contempt for a person or group of people?
Joy: Is what I’m posting going to make myself or others miserable and angry?
Peace: Does my post encourage rivalry and dissension?
Patience: Does my post reflect a short temper?
Kindness: Am I posting something that would hurt someone else?
Goodness: Does my post reflect man’s sinfulness more than God’s righteousness?
Faithfulness: Is my post doubtful and pessimistic of Christ’s rulership over everything?
Gentleness: Does my post neglect to consider others’ circumstances?
Self-Control: Did I write my post in hasty anger or without thinking of its consequences?
Not every social media post requires intense thought before I hit publish--many posts are just fun thoughts or pieces of information. But many of my posts do need more biblical reflection, and that’s something I need to get better at. I have a powerful tool at my fingertips. I need to use it graciously for the glory of Christ.