『Behave Yourself: How To Be A Hospitable Christian on Social Media』のカバーアート

Behave Yourself: How To Be A Hospitable Christian on Social Media

Behave Yourself: How To Be A Hospitable Christian on Social Media

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 Each one of us needs to think about how to be a hospitable Christian on social media. For complete show notes, head to Everyday Welcome. In episode 41, we talked about our need to be seen. When we're irritated and rightly angry at others wanting to be "seen" in their sin, we need to remember that we all really want to be "seen," and often our desire for it leads us to sin. We talked about social media and how it reflects this innate desire in each of us - but how God already sees us, and what that looked like in scripture. Today let's down together a little bit more about how we can be hospitable, or invite meaningful interaction, online. Whether that's comments and conversations we're having on Facebook or Instagram, or the content we're creating and posting, or what we're re-sharing, we have maybe unprecedented opportunity to glorify God to a huge audience, with our online interactions. The words we speak say volumes about where we stand in relationship with God, they have incredible power for influence in truth and in love, and they even affect our own emotional and physical well-being. "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." -Proverbs 16:24 "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." - Luke 6:43-45 I want to begin by saying it isn't necessary that we speak at all online. God tells us in several ways in scripture that having a gentle and quiet spirit, having patience to be quiet, and otherwise just keeping our mouths closed (see Ecclesiastes 3:7 and Proverbs 17:28), can be the most loving and God-honoring thing to do in a given setting. Having said that, I also believe that social media is our modern version of the quilting bee combined with the town square, and if we use it and use it wisely, we have a responsibility to be winsome and truthful, and even be willing to engage in conversations where we say hard things. Not everyone agrees with me, but I actually think the online space gives us opportunities to speak the truth, in love, in ways never possible before, and I don't think Christians should be absent from what I see as a huge opportunity for meaningful communication. It is a challenge to say the hard things with grace and love, but we must listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in us, even as we fill our minds with God's word, so that we identify what the truth IS in a given situation, and we can not be driven or influenced by fear. If we choose to speak in the public sphere, and we're willing to think about how to be a hospitable Christian on social media, let's be intentional. Here are some ways we can combat ungracious speech on social media, placing our trust firmly in God's work through our obedience: Pray about it. Whatever the issue is that's on your heart or that you've read in a social post, pause and genuinely seek God's leading. Timing matters here - devote time before spouting off. Journal your thoughts on the matter and revisit them a day or two later, if at all possible. And speaking of time, take TIME to Use Scripture as your foundation before speaking. What does the Bible have to say about this topic?Is it nuanced? Look for multiple places where the issue is addressed and get a rich view of how God says it's to be handled.Did one of the prophets, writers of scripture, or Biblical leaders address this topic or one that's related? What tone and actions did they use to speak to it? Seek godly counsel. Go digging either in writing or in person to see what wise, seasoned believers have said or done in this realm. How have they approached it, either in person or publicly? After taking these important steps to pray, seek the Bible for wisdom and looking for godly counsel, if God calls you to speak online, here are some guidelines to help you. HOW TO SPEAK TO HARD TOPICS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Be humble. Always be willing to listen and learn. Remember that God has graciously chosen to allow you to join Him in His work - but HE is the One who does the work. We can reflect the gentleness and humility God displayed if we're willing to say "I'm sorry," even when the point we are making is correct, when we have been unloving. You never know who's watching - we say much when we maintain a respectful tone, in a public conversation. Set aside fear. It's vital for us to be willing to disagree with people and to not shy away from that hard conversation."If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the ...
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