How Should We as Believers Conduct Ourselves on Public or Social Platforms?
Let me start by saying I’ve seen quite a few ‘hissy fits’ from people in the general Church arena in my 27 years leading ministries… and I’m being conservative. Nowadays, we see this happening, not just in our church circles or social circles, but on social media too.
Leaders, you are called to love people, not to take abuse in the name of love. The same applies to the reverse (Keeping in mind that sometimes, what some people think is ‘the reverse’ is often more about their own issues than anything else.)
In my course on Rejection, I teach how those of us that have not experienced healing easily blame others instead of taking responsibility for our own actions.
This most often happens when we have experienced some form of rejection in our lives.
In a place of spiritual or emotional ‘unhealedness’, Scripture’s intentions on certain issues can easily be misunderstood, when seen through the eyes of woundedness. (A story or topic for another time).
But I want to start with this passage of Scripture from the Book of Wisdom, because it is a universal passage of Scripture for all of us as believers, and if we will take the advice the Word of God gives us here, it will help us understand the core of what we need to move forward in our life and in our spiritual growth for the future. To move forward and grow, we have to hear God’s voice and walk in obedience to it.
Prov 3:1-12 (TPT) “The Rewards of Wisdom My child, if you truly want a long and satisfying life, never forget the things that I’ve taught you. Follow closely every truth that I’ve given you. Then you will have a full, rewarding life.
3 Hold on to loyal love and don’t let go, and be faithful to all that you’ve been taught. Let your life be shaped by integrity, with truth written upon your heart.
4 That’s how you will find favour and understanding with both God and people — you will gain the reputation of living life well.
Wisdom’s Guidance 5 Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on God to guide you, and The Lord will lead you in every decision you make.
6 Become intimate with the Lord in whatever you do, and God will lead you wherever you go. Don’t think for a moment that you know it all,
7 for wisdom comes when you adore God with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong.
8 Then you will find the healing refreshment your body and spirit long for.
9 Glorify God with all your wealth, honouring The Lord with your very best, with every increase that comes to you.
10 Then every dimension of your life will overflow with blessings from an uncontainable source of inner joy!”
(Pay attention especially to vs 5-6. Following the heart of God is key for us.)
1) What does Scripture teach us about what should come out of our mouths?
Let’s have a look:
Eph 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Slander must be put to death if we intend to follow Jesus. We must sanctify Christ, not do the opposite because of what precedes from our mouths.
– We are to build up not pull down.
Prov 16:28 teaches us this: “A perverse person stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Gossip and bad talking someone, never makes us look better, in fact, it most likely ‘shows up’ our issues and insecurities even more.
In 1 Pet 3:14-16 NIV, The Word of God gives us this advice:
“14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
When people use social media as a platform to slander others, it should always raise suspicion about their motives.
When people continually use social media as a platform to slander, gossip and run leaders and others down, speaking half truth and untruths, it should immediately raise suspicion.
Scripture gives us clarity on what should be coming out of our mouths if we are truly serving God.
We may not always get it right, but continual and repetitive slander is a sure sign that person making such accusations, has a bitter root and needs healing, which is discussed in my next point in this teaching.
2) How does scripture describe the origins of slander?
Scripture teaches us that a desire to slander can spring from:
– A root of bitterness (Heb 12:15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.)
– Unresolved hurt (1 Pet 3:14-16 see above).