Blogging can lead to sin.
So can Facebook status updates, texts, tweets, emails, and Youtube videos.
It’s rampant
and it’s often practiced, quite brashly, by the Christian community.
I love the Internet and spend time every day on social media sites, email, blogs, and other forms of electronic communication. The internet is an amazing thing and with companies like EATEL, we can watch, search and learn about something in a matter of seconds!
I love the speed, the scope, the exposure, and the availability of information, interaction, and interpersonal exchange,
but that’s precisely the formula for verbal temptation.
Especially the speed.
James warns us: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry,” James 1:19
There was no caveat that says “unless you’re on the Internet.”
But the Internet lends itself to rapid responses
And that’s an open door
To trouble.
Bloggers who hunger for hits and who are working, with noble intentions, to build their following,
Are savvy to topics that are trending.
It’s good business to whip out a post related to that trend
But unfortunately, too often, we end up with a slew of blurbs condemning the actions of the latest misguided celebrity or criticizing the newest misstep of someone in Washington or commenting on the latest anecdote of modern culture attempting to snuff out Christianity in our time.
It’s not always a light in the darkness.
Sometimes it seems more like one of those broken neon hotel signs with only a few bulbs still working.
It’s fine to have opinions
But when they’re expressed at the speed of a fiber-optic download
they’re subject to being less light
and more gossip, complaining, judgment, whining, rudeness, and arrogance.
Christian opinions
Delivered in the poisonous vitriol of common sin.
Not really worthy of followers of the Great Communicator.
And the vitriol goes viral as followers share what we’ve written
Adding their own toxic commentary.
And maybe we’ve reached our goal of increasing our following but who wants to lead an angry, complaining mob of gossips and rumormongers?
I’m only this harsh because of my own susceptibility.
I want followers.
I want hits.
I want to be trendy.
But the trends I really want to ride are those that register on the eternal scale.
Two of the most haunting Bible for verses for communicator of every kind are these:
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” Matthew 12:36
There’s a whole lot of empty out there in cyber world,
Which goes to show that
Just because we have the power to flood the airwaves with words
Doesn’t mean we should and
Just because the Internet is fast, doesn’t mean our response has to be.
We still can exert the self-control to wait, to think, to pray, to check facts, to check attitudes, and to consult with our Father before hitting Enter, Publish, Send.
Sin is a contagion
and no one of us wants to be Typhoid Mary,
but it’s a day to celebrate when the truth goes viral
so let’s set our creativity and energy toward that end
not racking up numbers on our blog counters
or outtweeting Ashton Kutcher on Twitter.
Because one popular observation about the Internet is true – once it’s out there, it’s out there forever.
What words do you want to send out knowing they’ll echo through eternity?
Make those your status update.
Write light.
Write only light.
Get in on the conversation
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Great post, Lori!
Great challenge. Have been thinking about the effectiveness of my light for a couple days now…trying to decide if the thoughts are blog-worthy.Will think harder/longer til thoughts are clearer and brighter.
My best protective policy is to promise myself not to hit publish immediately after I’ve written something. It sometimes takes Herculean strength but it’s saved me more than it’s hurt!
AMEN, sister!
I have been talking about this post just about all day with my friends. It really hit home with me and in so many ways. One of my greatest pet peeves is people who judge others, and my greatest sin? I am judgmental. I am so quick to judge and comment those judgments and post those judgments, and I can type so fast you won’t even see my fingers move! There is so much truth in this post, so much to consider. I just read it out loud to my husband as we were discussing my feelings of guilt and remorse over unfriending two long-time friends this week because I was tired of reading their constant barrage of controversial posts. I could have hidden the posts, I could have simply unfriended them, I could have tried talking to them, but instead I ended the relationships with long diatribes on bigotry and violence sent in Facebook messages, and as you know, once you hit send on Facebook messages you cannot edit them, or take those words back. It’s been a rough week, and this post seems to sum up the worst of it, but it also very effectively explains what I am doing wrong, and what I need to do to change. Beautiful, powerful writing, as always. Thank you.
Darla, there’s no one reading your comment who can throw a single stone. I love that you’ve given it such thought and committed to make change. The slow to speak thing – that’s the hard thing but it’s a wonderful protective measure. God’s blessing on you!
For your January 30 blog, thank you. Just thank you.
Thank you, Lori. God’s blessing on you, as well!