Sanctified Wisdom for Social Media
I hesitate to write about things like this, because after all, I'm really not an expert. However, as a pastor I see things that Christians do with social media that I know are not helpful and at times very destructive. So...here are some basic guidelines, certainly not directly from God, but absolutely guided by the Word of God.
1. Don't post something that puts someone else down.
I mean it. Don't do it.
As tempting as it is to get a dig in at your (teacher, friend, spouse, co-worker, family member, political opponent, etc.) taking personal shots at them online is not constructive and by doing so you do not present yourself in a positive light.
If you have legitimate political difference, want to point out where a politician is mistaken, or something like that, go ahead. But remember that we are at all times to give respect and honor to elected officials (and I think the same could be said of those running for office). You don't have to like them, but you do need to treat them with respect.
If your teacher or co-worker or boss or family member made you mad, talk about it with a friend. Facebook and twitter are not places to vent. In the workplace, it can cost you your job. As a child of God, it fails to honor God.
2. Don't post negatively about your spouse
Ever.
Ever.
Ever.
Are you married? Then your spouse will do things that tick you off, make boneheaded mistakes, and sometimes act in a downright mean way. Social media is not the place to share this.
It publicly humiliates your spouse, rather than honoring and protecting his or her reputation.
It brings people into your marriage that don't need to be in your marriage.
And most importantly doing so dishonors God who calls on husbands to love their wife as Christ loved the church (so much that He was willing to die for an unfaithful and ridiculously dense people) and wives to honor their husband as the church honors Christ (so that even if your husband is acting like a bonehead, you honor him).
Posting negative things, even if intended to be humorous, does nothing to help your relationship and can absolutely damage it.
3. Don't shame your children
Publicly shaming your child online will not cause your child to reform his or her ways, but will cause resentment, anger, and lead your child distance himself or herself from you.
4. Only pass along reliable information
Seriously. I mean it.
If you haven't checked it out or if it is not from a VERY reputable source, please pause to check it out and consider if what you are about to post or share is slanderous.
Christians should go above and beyond to make sure not to destroy the reputation of others (including public officials) based upon slander.
Check snopes. Check more than one news source. Check it out before you share it.
5. By all means, share your political positions, but be careful not to demean those who do no share your positions
If you are a Christian living in the United States, not only should you have an informed political opinion, but you might very well get involved in the political process. This is good.
However, not everyone will share your position on gun control or unions or education or taxes or whatever subject you have a position on. That's okay. You can still be friends. You can still be brothers and sisters in Christ.
There are areas where God has spoken, but many areas where we must be guided by reason and reasonable people can disagree. And even when a person holds a position contrary to God's Word, show them love rather than anger or hatred.
Oh and if you do post about politics, be prepared to defend your position with love, respect, and patience rather than becoming angry and defensive when challenged.
6. Recognize that other people will see what you post on another person's wall
It might be an inside joke, but the rest of the Facebook world won't be in on it so you need to use discretion and consider if what you are posting could be misunderstood in a negative way.
It might be a post of support for a friend, but perhaps that friend hasn't and isn't planning to go public on Facebook with a given issue.
People's moms and dads and children and employers will see what you post, so consider whether you think it would be good for them to see what you are about to post.
Is there more that could be added? I'm sure there is. Maybe you could share your thoughts too.
1. Don't post something that puts someone else down.
I mean it. Don't do it.
As tempting as it is to get a dig in at your (teacher, friend, spouse, co-worker, family member, political opponent, etc.) taking personal shots at them online is not constructive and by doing so you do not present yourself in a positive light.
If you have legitimate political difference, want to point out where a politician is mistaken, or something like that, go ahead. But remember that we are at all times to give respect and honor to elected officials (and I think the same could be said of those running for office). You don't have to like them, but you do need to treat them with respect.
If your teacher or co-worker or boss or family member made you mad, talk about it with a friend. Facebook and twitter are not places to vent. In the workplace, it can cost you your job. As a child of God, it fails to honor God.
2. Don't post negatively about your spouse
Ever.
Ever.
Ever.
Are you married? Then your spouse will do things that tick you off, make boneheaded mistakes, and sometimes act in a downright mean way. Social media is not the place to share this.
It publicly humiliates your spouse, rather than honoring and protecting his or her reputation.
It brings people into your marriage that don't need to be in your marriage.
And most importantly doing so dishonors God who calls on husbands to love their wife as Christ loved the church (so much that He was willing to die for an unfaithful and ridiculously dense people) and wives to honor their husband as the church honors Christ (so that even if your husband is acting like a bonehead, you honor him).
Posting negative things, even if intended to be humorous, does nothing to help your relationship and can absolutely damage it.
3. Don't shame your children
Publicly shaming your child online will not cause your child to reform his or her ways, but will cause resentment, anger, and lead your child distance himself or herself from you.
4. Only pass along reliable information
Seriously. I mean it.
If you haven't checked it out or if it is not from a VERY reputable source, please pause to check it out and consider if what you are about to post or share is slanderous.
Christians should go above and beyond to make sure not to destroy the reputation of others (including public officials) based upon slander.
Check snopes. Check more than one news source. Check it out before you share it.
5. By all means, share your political positions, but be careful not to demean those who do no share your positions
If you are a Christian living in the United States, not only should you have an informed political opinion, but you might very well get involved in the political process. This is good.
However, not everyone will share your position on gun control or unions or education or taxes or whatever subject you have a position on. That's okay. You can still be friends. You can still be brothers and sisters in Christ.
There are areas where God has spoken, but many areas where we must be guided by reason and reasonable people can disagree. And even when a person holds a position contrary to God's Word, show them love rather than anger or hatred.
Oh and if you do post about politics, be prepared to defend your position with love, respect, and patience rather than becoming angry and defensive when challenged.
6. Recognize that other people will see what you post on another person's wall
It might be an inside joke, but the rest of the Facebook world won't be in on it so you need to use discretion and consider if what you are posting could be misunderstood in a negative way.
It might be a post of support for a friend, but perhaps that friend hasn't and isn't planning to go public on Facebook with a given issue.
People's moms and dads and children and employers will see what you post, so consider whether you think it would be good for them to see what you are about to post.
Is there more that could be added? I'm sure there is. Maybe you could share your thoughts too.
Excellent, Ben. Wise words and much needed right now.
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