Unfriended…Can we have a conversation please?

Unfriended.  My offense?  A political comment had been posted and the thread was going south quickly.  The potential for hurt feelings was very likely and the fallout could affect relationships.  I commented “you may want to consider where this thread is headed, the potential for divisiveness is high and there could be some badly hurt feelings”.

For the Christian, there is absolutely no place on social media for divisiveness of any kind.  The world is watching…and often what they see is so un-Christian.

“I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of your calling,

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:1-3

Let me put a few thoughts out here before I go any further.  I am sixty years old, a Christ follower, wife of an elder at our church, mom, grandmother, teacher, friend, public speaker, blogger, business owner, facebook over-poster…and other stuff.  With all that said, I also do not normally wade into the fray of politics unless I see the potential for damage to HIS KINGDOM.

Right now, I’m seeing a lot of potential for that damage.  WE HAVE GOT TO DO BETTER.  The world is watching us devour our own. It has got to stop. We are called to be better.  I do not believe we are to sit silently on the sidelines with no opinions and “just accept” what happens to our country.  There are arguments on both sides as to how involved we are to be in government…that is a blog for another day.

Today…let’s just focus on behavior.  Specifically, how a Christian should behave on social media in regards to politics today.

Two ground rules…

1. If you do not vote…do not complain, do not post, do not comment…period. Why?  If you have not taken the time to study the candidates and their platforms, if you have not taken the time to go and vote…you have not done your part to initiate change.  You give up your right to complain when you’ve done nothing to prevent what has happened.
2. If you do not contribute time or money to help others…do not complain…period. Why?  Our responsibility as a Christian is to help one another and the world around us.  If we have chosen not to do that, we have not fulfilled our responsibility to our Father or our fellow man.  Expecting our government to take care of our responsibility is wrong.  They are in addition to…not the total of.   If you are not helping others your right to complain has been forfeited.

So…Our behavior…How do WE as Christ followers act and react on social media?

Always act and react with…

1. Knowledge…Study the issues, know what you stand for and why.  Do not follow others blindly because “it sounds good”.
2. Wisdom…Not every battle needs to be fought.  We will never agree with everything a candidate stands for.
3. Kindness…Understand not everyone is coming from the same place you are and therefore they will not see things through the same lens.  Take that into account

Luke 6:31 “Do unto others as you would have them do to you”

Do not act or react with…

1. Sarcasm.  What may sound cute and funny in your head does not always translate.  It is hard to decipher tone.
2. Lies…Do not repost anything that you have not sourced and found to be true. Ex. Bernie on taxes/minimum wage.  If it is not true – it is a lie
3. Deceit…A half truth used to make a point is deceit…it is wrong
4. Disrespect…Someone who believes differently will not be influenced for Christ by someone who rudely insults their thoughts and beliefs.
5. Pride…We are all in this together.  I may think differently than you but it absolutely does not mean I am better than you.
6. Rumors…Every candidate or politician has enough “bad truth” to use against them.  Do not go into unsubstantiated rumor and fuel the fire.

  “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue

from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”

1 Peter 3:10

 Watch out for…

Comments that could cause dissension.  While watching the state of the union and seeing Speaker Pelosi “fidget”, I made a quick comment on my facebook page about how I would hate to be sitting behind the President during a speech.  My honest thought was that it was a terrible position to be in.  Her actions would have half the country mad at her regardless of how she acted.  I ended up having to delete a couple of comments and then by the next day deleted the thread.  It had gone in a direction totally opposite of my original thought…it had gone “mean girl” (and boyL).

Blanket Statements…

Don’t make them.  It is so easy to lump everyone into a group.  “Left is Loony” – “Right is Repugnant” – Hard Stop.  Every group is made up of individuals.  Each one of those individuals have their own thoughts, beliefs, hopes and dreams.  They each have different needs and desires.  They may be part of a group but they are still their own person. No one is evil because they voted for Trump…or Obama. Did you like them before?  Were they evil before?  Were they ignorant before?

Questions to ask before posting or commenting:

1. Is it factual?
2. Does this help the conversation?
3. Would I say this face to face?
4. Does my post/comment reflect well on my example for Christ?
5. Will this post/comment lead to discussion or am I slamming the door before inviting anyone in?

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests,

but also the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:4

A few thoughts:  

1. We are becoming a “shallow-meme” society. Is that what you want to be associated with?  Or, do you want to be known as someone who has convictions and can have an intelligent conversation?
2. Neither side – nor the middle – is completely right…Accept that fact and move on. .
3. If you have an issue with a specific brother or sister…go to them…privately…not on social media

The next generation of young Christians are watching us closely.  Our example is what they will be emulating in the future.  What are we teaching them?  Are we teaching them how to handle differences lovingly, with conviction AND grace?  Are we teaching them to make intelligent decisions based on facts rather than feelings?  Are we teaching them to respect our leaders positions regardless of how we may feel about them personally?  These are important questions we need to consider as we choose how we will present ourselves publicly.  What do you want your example to be?

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient,

to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle,

and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

Titus 3:1-2

 Listen to His Voice,

Lee Ann