“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29 KJV
There is a corruption taking place in the Church, the Body of Christ, that is spreading rapidly. It has become of such concern to me both as a pastor and a Christian, that I’ve decided to write some words that I hope will be edifying.
Social media is here to stay. We all enjoy staying “connected” with friends and family through the sharing of pictures, videos, and text. I’m a grandmother and I must say that social media has added a welcomed dimension to sharing pictures of my beautiful grandkids! Whether you are a Millennial posting selfies by the hour, or like my father, an 80-year-old minister who enjoyed keeping in touch with life-long friends, social media has become part of our lives. Many would debate whether this new phenomenon has added to or taken value from our lives. My purpose is not to debate that issue. I only hope that we retain our godly character as we interact through social media.
A couple of years ago I took down my Facebook page. I must admit I really miss the social media connection with many of my long-distance college friends. But, I do not miss seeing the rants of people I worship with weekly, vomiting out their latest grievance or political viewpoints. Oh, I know you can block “friends” and not have to view their posts, but it became increasingly difficult to avoid seeing someone’s grievance against another Christian, or even against the church. Rather than subject myself daily to having to forgive people for their harsh words, I chose to withdraw from the scene and live in ignorant bliss. In this way, I can come into church on Sunday mornings believing the best about everyone and free in my spirit to speak God’s Word without prior knowledge of anyone’s transgressions.
But withdrawing is not the solution. It’s just a choice I made personally. My fear now, as I continue to hear about what this one or that one posted, is that we somehow feel that it is not sinful to type out everything that is on our minds, no matter who it offends or how sharp, curt, blunt, opinionated, or degrading it may be. The same restraint necessary to bridle our tongues, is necessary to keep us from sharing that negative post! After all, social media posts are simply a modern-day form of speech, and Scripture is clear that the tongue is set on fire by hell and must be tamed (James 3:1-10). The Apostle Paul instructed us to “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,” and continued by saying that the only communication that should proceed out of our mouths should be “edifying” and should “minister grace unto the hearers.” Now, bringing this verse into the 21st century, we should add that “communication” includes speaking, writing, texting, emailing, blogging, and social media posting!
Just to make sure we grasp what the Apostle Paul was saying to the Church, look at the Amplified Bible translation of this verse:
Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace [God’s favor] to those who hear it.
So today I am asking Christians everywhere to use this verse as a filter for all social media interaction. Is what you are about to post good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others? Is it fitting to the need and the occasion? Will it be a blessing that gives grace to those who hear it? Will your social media post be an encouragement (edifying) to those who read it? If not, keep silent. Hit the delete button!
Our world is being torn apart with discord and a ratings-hungry media seems to be capitalizing on our differences. If the world cannot look to the Church to be encouraged, where can it turn? Please followers of Christ, stay true to your core values and your Christian beliefs. Don’t be silent about the greatness of our God and His love for the entire world! But shut down the divisive rants and tasteless “shares.” Is posting your political opinion worth losing the influence of your testimony with someone who is lost?
God help us to wake up before we damage our testimony or cause some young Christian to stumble! My brothers and sisters, if you find that you simply cannot control your “tongue” on social media, close your accounts. Walk away from it. Take drastic measures if necessary, but determine to have no corrupt communication proceed from your mouth.
Daily confession: “I declare that the words I speak, write, email, text, blog, or post today will be words of life and not death; words that heal and do not wound; words that build up and do not destroy. My words will be wise and I will give instruction with kindness. Set a guard at the door of my lips, Lord. Let no corrupt communication come out of my mouth today, only that which is encouraging.”
