How should Christians engage with
social media?
Short Answer
Biblical principles apply to all
parts of life.
What the Bible
Says
Romans 12:18 says, “If it is
possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Yet, we
don’t seem to think this applies to the online world, especially when we have a
strong opinion on a matter. However, all things belong to God (Proverbs 16:4),
including social media, which means our online interactions should be no less
guided by the Holy Spirit than our in-person ones.
Scripture tells us to be slow to
speak (James 1:19-20), but that doesn’t mean we are to spend time dwelling on what
upsets us. We are to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), think
before we speak (Proverbs 16:23), and, at times, remain silent (Psalm 4:4) so
that our anger doesn’t lead to sin (Ephesians 4:26).
When defending ourselves or our
positions in the online world, Christians are quick to recount that Jesus didn’t
shy away from criticism of the scribes and Pharisees or Sadducees. It’s true
that He openly called out the corruption of the positions (e.g., Matthew 16:6;
Matthew 23:15). However, the only official that Jesus called out by name was
Herod, and that was when directly confronted (Luke 13:32). His
response to being told that Herod wanted to kill him was, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ He was responding for a very specific purpose, and the wording suggests that He intended the message to actually reach Herod; His response wasn’t idle chatter.
Jesus used discernment when speaking, and not all ill-intended actions or words earned His immediate correction. John 12: 1-8 recounts Mary (Martha’s sister) anointing His feet with expensive perfume. Judas Iscariot criticizes her by saying that it could have been sold for money to feed the poor. Verse 6 explains that Judas was really just a thief, but notice that Jesus’s response was simply, “Let her alone”. He did not take the opportunity to “call out” the very one He knew would betray Him. He didn’t cause a scene. He didn’t put up posters all over town. He didn’t make a public announcement to caution everyone.
What Do I Do With
This?
Online platforms are designed to
make it easy to connect with a virtual community. If we remember that all
things belong to God (Proverbs 16:4), we can use those communities for His
purpose and His glory. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to, “comfort each other
and edify one another,” and, when used with discernment, social media can be a
source for both.
We’re told not be talebearers (Proverbs18:8) or troublemakers (Proverbs 16:28). To rid ourselves of anger, wrath, malice,
blasphemy, and filthy language (Colossians 3:8). To “Let no corrupt word
proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that
it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Yet, our social media
behavior often does not honor God.
Did you comment on the negative post
about a neighbor? Did you share the funny meme that attacked someone’s
character? Did you “like” the video explaining all the ways someone in the
public eye is getting it wrong? Did you take the thought do any of those things
captive, bringing it into obedience with Christ before you engaged (2 Corinthians10:5)? Did your behavior acknowledge the will of God in “all your ways” (Proverbs3:6)? Was He directing your path (Proverbs 3:6)? Or was it just an easy opportunity
to let everyone know what you had to say?
Scripture does say that the Word
of God is a sword (Ephesians 6:17). However, we’re specifically instructed to
live at peace (Romans 12:18) and stay away from “foolish disputes” (2 Timothy2:23). Are you supposed to proclaim the Word of God? Yes. Are you supposed to
engage with social media posts that proclaim why one person, denomination, etc.
is superior? Only if the Spirit of God, not your flesh, truly leads you to do so.
Christians are not called to be “right”
by our own standards. We are called to “walk as Jesus walked” (1 John 2:6), which
means being led by the Spirit in all areas of our lives. Hitting the “like”
button is akin to agreement. Even if some of the words in a post line up with Scripture,
does the full context line up with who God calls us to be? Does it call
out corruption the exact way Jesus would have done it? Does it praise one at
the expense of another? True or not, does it amount to idle gossip?
We are to pray about all things
(Philippians 4:6), even social media use. The virtual world belongs to God in
the same way the “real” world does, and the application of Scripture doesn’t
change based on which space you’re in. We have no idea what Jesus would have done
with social media because it didn’t exist when He walked the Earth. What we can
be confident in is that He was intentional in all things. He used wisdom and
discernment. Even when faced with the opportunity to “call out” the real enemy,
He chose God’s plan.
Relevant Scripture
- “The Lord has made all for Himself. Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.” (Proverbs 16:4)
- If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18)
- So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
- The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips. (Proverbs 16:23)
- 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (Ephesians4:26-29)
- Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:6)
- “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves." (Matthew 23:15)
- And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ (Luke 13:32)
- Therefore, comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians5:11)
- The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body (Proverbs 18:8)
- A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends. (Proverbs 16:28)
- But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)
- casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:5)
- In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:6)
- And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians6:17)
- But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. (2 Timothy 2:23)
- He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 John 2:6)
- The Lord has made all for Himself. Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. (Proverbs 16:4)
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Ephesians 4:29: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen