Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Post

In the age of constant information, the opportunity is always there to post an opinion on Twitter, chime in on a conversation on Facebook or rant and rave on a blog.  I know that everyday I see things posted on Facebook that I consider responding to....then I think better of it.  Who wants to argue, let alone get a billion notifications?  It's not just reacting to other's words however.  Alyssa and I were in Chicago today and saw numerous people, places and things that maybe deserved some social commentary.  But to what end?  Why do we post what we post?  Why do we blog what we blog?  What exactly are we hoping to accomplish when we publically address our thoughts on the social issue of the hour?  I'm not necessarily arguing that we shouldn't speak up at times about where our society or its members are headed.  But we need to be extremely wise about what we say, when we say it and why we say it.

Alyssa and I discussed this topic as we walked around the streets of the city.  I'm the kind of person who likes black and white answers, but the longer the conversation went on the more apparent it became that there is not always a definitive way to go about choosing what we say.  There are some Scriptural guidelines that help us know some of the things we shouldn't say, of course.  We should never post gossip about anyone.  We shouldn't write anything that is there to simply tear someone else down.  There are clearly ways of saying things that are abrasive, off-color or simply inappropriate and those things should be out of bounds.  But what about chiming in on political topics, gender issues, sexual orientation, and the like?  Even when we strongly feel the Scripture favors what we are posting, we need to consider our end game.  What am I hoping to accomplish to posting what I am posting?  An example of this is posting about homosexuality.  I make no secret about the fact that I am a Christian, and by default I'm sure most people know the Christian view on homosexuality.  So, when I post that it is wrong, what am I trying to accomplish?  No one is learning something about me or my views that they didn't already know.  I may get some slaps on the back from fellow Christians, but I may also have pushed some readers further away from the Gospel.  I'm not saying that I (or anyone else for that matter), should always tolerate every view and should never use social media as a platform to discuss spiritual issues, even hot-button issues.  So, how do we know when to post and when not to?

The answer is simple, but carrying it out is difficult.  Simply put, Christians absolutely must deepen their relationship with Christ and rely on Him for direction of what to say and when to say it.  I believe most of us have a relatively shallow relationship with Christ most of the time.  This leaves us to our own devices in terms of speaking our mind, a dangerous situation for people with darkened, sinful hearts.  However, the more we connect with Christ through studying His Word and fellowshipping with Him through prayer, the more we will know how to hear His voice.  In fact, as Paul discusses, we will begin to see Him living through us more and more.   We need His direction.  I don't want to be just another voice in a world with a billion voices.  I want Him to speak through me because I know what He says is perfect, true and loving.  Christ knows when to speak on sin and when not to.  Case in point, consider the stories of the Samaritan woman at the well and Zacchaeus.

Jesus confronts a Samaritan woman, breaking numerous social boundaries in the process.  During this conversation, Jesus points out this woman's sexual immorality and infidelity.  This does not turn this woman away.  In fact, it turns her towards Christ!  His timing and words were perfect.  Then, consider the story of Zacchaeus.  This is a man who was reviled by his own people.  He was a tax collector and he was notorious for cheating his own countrymen.  Yet, when Christ encounters Zacchaeus he embraces him and does not point out his sin.  Zacchaeus, in response to this exposure to Christ, actually recognizes his own sin, repents and turns to Christ!  Again, Jesus knew his heart and knew how to approach the situation.  We see that Jesus was sensitive to the Holy Spirit and knew precisely what to say and when to say it.

There will be times when Jesus will lead your heart to post something (or say something, people still do talk these days, I think) that is controversial and it will actually go a long way towards moving the heart of someone He wants to touch.  Other times, He will simply have you love others and allow His love to move them to recognize truth.  You will only be able to recognize this leading if you have consistent, daily communion with Christ and His Spirit.

As you grow in this relationship, let two biblical principles guide your speech.  First, James tells us to be slow to speak, quick to listen and slow to anger.  Listen first, speak second and wait to get angry.   Most of the time, once you've listened, you won't be angry after all.  Second, Paul tells us that judgement and correction is to be from believer to believer.  Remember that those people who are not Christians don't share your trust in God, let alone the Bible.  Don't expect a non-Christian to act like a Christian.  Extend Christ's love to them and be open to speaking the truth in love when Jesus leads.