Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
– Proverbs 21:23
I daily look back at my memories on Facebook and, to be honest, I find myself feeling uneasy more and more over things I have said or posted in the past. It’s understandable that I would be uncomfortable with things from 6+ years ago as that was before I was born again by the power of God. However, I do not find those posts as troublesome as I do those from just a year or two ago.
Why? It’s hard to label a definite cause but suffice it to say that I just feel a lack of grace, a lack of mercy, a lack of discernment present in many of these posts. Oh, don’t get me wrong, what I have posted is both true and honest but was it necessary? It really brings to my mind- more and more- Proverbs 18:2 (ESV) which states, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”
Even a true biblical opinion if shared for the wrong reasons, the wrong motivation, is foolish, prideful, and unprofitable! Colossians 4:6 tells you to “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” That doesn’t mean I am to haphazardly run around answering every man when no man has even asked me a question!
Yes! Yes! I am certainly called to share the good news of the gospel and, praise God, that can be done beautifully on Facebook, in person, over the phone, etc. And, in accordance with scripture, if I am asked a question about my hope in the Lord, or any other spiritual matter, I should be prepared to answer biblically! Also, there is much beauty and benefit in sharing for the edification of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and for unbelievers- that they might have softened hearts leading to salvation. The above includes perfectly acceptable motives to share on social media and elsewhere!
I now find myself prayerfully checking my motives prior to each post as well as prior to opening my mouth to speak. Guarding my tongue and waiting upon the Holy Spirit before uttering a word. My opinions do not matter- it is my motives that I must discern! Do I care more about showing what I know and how someone else falls short? I fervently pray that is not so! I now resolve to shut my mouth and not hit that post button- or speak- until I have taken it to the Lord in prayer!
I try to let people know ,, “you are more important to me than my views opinion ,and thoughts”. Words are very powerful. I always have to remember Jesus did not die for sin but for sinners.
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