Our country, as a whole, has experienced much heartache in 2020. COVID-19, racial injustice, violence in the streets, and more. Social media platforms have become even more toxic than usual. Even something like whether to wear a mask in public incites debates clouded by intense intolerance towards others’ views – “this person is overreacting,” “this person isn’t taking the virus seriously enough.” There is bullying, judgment, and accusations thrown without asking questions.

And that’s just the Christians.

As I watch Christians talk to each other over social media, sometimes I am reminded of Danny DeVito in the 1996 film, Matilda.

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”
James 1:26

God cares very much how we use our words. And for Christians, this means we need to view our conversations with a conviction and humility that we represent God’s character to whom we are speaking to (and if it’s on social media, to all who see such conversations). I want to share some verses that are helpful to me in considering – is what I am posting wise or foolish? Are my words righteous or sinful? I am not perfect in this by any means, and I am seeking to grow in wisdom in how I communicate. These are passages that I am first preaching to myself.

God doesn’t view things from a right perspective. He IS right. So we can trust that God’s Word is pure and what believers need to separate spirit from the flesh in our thinking. If we want wisdom, we need to look in God’s Word.

Are my words seasoned with grace?

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Colossians 4:6

Opinions that intentionally seek to produce inflammatory responses often lack graciousness. Note that I’m referring to an opinion and not the gospel. The gospel itself is offensive to the world (1 Corinthians 1:18) and we should not be surprised if others hate us for standing for the gospel.

Is my anger causing me to be impulsive in speaking?

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
James 1:18-19

Do my words bring healing? 

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 12:18

Do I have all the facts of the story?

“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”
Proverbs 18:13

It is not foolish for Christians to reserve judgment until more facts of a situation have been revealed.

Is it possible I am only hearing one side of the story?

“The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”
Proverbs 18:17

Am I thinking about this in prudence and wisdom (through the lens of scripture), or am I responding to emotionalism / sensationalism?

“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.”
Proverbs 14:15-16

If a Christian is quick to post on social media instead of going to their Bible — there is a problem.

Am I jumping into someone else’s conversation without being invited to be part of the solution?

“Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.”
Proverbs 26:17

Am I quick to defend a certain group and ignore existing wickedness it promotes?

“He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.”
Proverbs 17:15

This one is the one that hits me the hardest. Both are disgusting to God.

Conclusion

Be wary of self-righteousness in this season – one way this might be displayed is speaking to others about how I think they need to change and not praying for them. It may be indicative that we rely more on our own power to change others than on the Holy Spirit. We all should take time to read James 3 today, and prayerfully ask the Lord to help us to glorify Him with our communication.

The gospel is powerful enough to enable us to have disagreements peaceably. God has shown us that He is powerful since creation (Romans 1:20) and we can trust that He cares enough to listen and to help us (1 Peter 5:7). By God’s grace, this time next year we should be able to testify on how He has shaped and molded us (not how “we” changed others) as we live in the tension of differing strong opinions. Christians, let’s examine our own hearts first and see what God is teaching us about ourselves as we examine how we are tempted to communicate. God is at work and it pleases Him to change us for His glory and for our pleasure (Ezekiel 36:26).

Father, give us wisdom for when and how to use our voices!