Helpful Truth for Christians On Social Media
I have wrestled with this post for days. I thought about it, prayed about it, searched Scripture, and as I sit here all I can do is ask the Lord to give me the words He wants me to write.
Why is this subject so difficult for me? Because I love being an encourager who focuses on blessing counting. But there is something that is discouraging this encourager…
What is that something?
It’s the critical and judgmental comments I see from Christians on social media.
I’ve observed the condemnation of theological differences. I’ve noticed that people question the “conversion” of people based on their physical appearance. I’ve seen people asking controversial questions that encourage heated disagreements.
I grew up singing “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.” (I know. I’ve been around a while.)
And I don’t want to appear like I’m throwing stones.
Knowing Jesus said…
“Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” John 8:7
I’m dropping my stone. I’m not perfect. I’m a sinner. So, let’s prayerfully work on this together.
You might be wondering why I care. Why does it even matter?
It matters because I want people to want to KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST Jesus when they see the difference He makes in my life and the lives of other believers. I want Jesus’ followers to be the most loving, caring, and winsome people on the planet. Whatever our denomination or background, wherever we live, whoever we are … may we be salt and light.
Jesus said…
We are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13–14)
So, let’s pray and ask the Lord to help us stand together in His love and shine the light of His saving grace.
5 Verses and Prayers for Christians on Social Media
Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
Luke 6:31
Lord Jesus, You told Your followers to love their enemies, to do good to those who hate them, to bless those who curse them, and to pray for those who hurt them. (Luke 6:27–28) You followed those difficult assignments by telling them to treat people the way they want to be treated.
Father, forgive us. We hide behind keyboards and screens sharing critical, cruel, and condemning words. We are not treating one another as You desire. Please help us pause to ask if our words are pleasing to You before we share them with others. Lord, help me shine the light of Your love for Your glory. Amen.
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Romans 12:16
Father, we have a problem with pride. We’re guilty of proclaiming we’re right without listening with love. We judge others based on their appearance and we judge them like we know them when we’re only familiar with 2% of their experiences, attitudes, and values.
Please forgive our pride. Please forgive my pride. We are guilty of trying to take specks out of other people’s eyes when we have logs in ours. Please help us slow down and listen striving to understand one another and live united by Your love. And when we must speak Your truth as correction, may we do so with kindness and respect. Amen.
Some people make cutting remarks,
Proverbs 12:18
but the words of the wise bring healing.
Father, thank you for giving Solomon these words of wisdom. Please help me apply wisdom to my life. May I know when You want me to speak and when You want me to be still. Help me speak only words that are pleasing to You. Help me share Your heart and Your love with a broken and hurting world.
I don’t want my words to add to the confusion or division. I do not want the enemy to be able to use me to make someone question Your love and power to change lives. Please help me. Fill me with Your Spirit and guide me with Your love. Amen.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 (NCV)
Father God, with Your Spirit’s power, please help me control my tongue and typing fingers. Please make me an encourager. I want to be someone who builds up not one who tears down. I want my words to be beneficial, not hurtful.
You prompted a man named William J. Toms to write, “Be care how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads.” I want my words to glorify You. I want people to want to know You because they’ve seen You in me.
Please help me know and speak Your TRUTH in love. (Ephesians 4:15) Amen.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Hebrews 10:23–24
Father, I thank You for giving me hope. By Your grace, You have made me confident that You can be trusted … that You keep Your promises.
You promised to give me what I need when I SEEK You above all else. I believe You will provide the words You want me to share when I prayerfully ask You for help. I believe You will never leave me or forsake me. I believe Your love never fails.
I thank, praise, and surrender myself to You. I ask You to help me glorify You with words and acts of love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Let’s pause to think before we speak in person or on social media. Let’s consider whether we’re building up or tearing down. Let’s remember that we never know the whole person and the whole story.
If we identify as followers of Jesus we represent Him to anyone to all with whom we interact.
May we, with God’s help, stop throwing stones so we can intentionally love like Jesus.
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Thank you, Ruth! Your kind encouragement blessed my heart! Many blessings to you!
What wonderful and sage advice, Deb, and I hope those on social media will take this to heart. I’ve long ago given up Facebook and Twitter because the wrath of others behind those keyboards wasn’t doing me any good. I like being able to encourage others and not tear them down.
Have a blessed weekend!
Thank you, Martha! I think people feel anonymous when they’re typing and feel they will probably never have to face these people in person. I’m with you on encouragement over ridicule! And I am so appreciative of your encouragement here. Thanks and many blessings!!
Thank you soooooo much for this post, Deb.
We are lights in this world if we allow the radiance of the Light through our mouths, demeanor, and actions.
Much appreciation.
Thanks for your encouragement, Mary! God bless you!
Good Morning, Deb,
I pray that all is well with you, and may peace and joy fill your day today.
I’m not on social media, and I don’t feel the need to be on social media.
There are so many disadvantages in being on social media:
*It promotes superficial connections.
* Spread of misinformation.
* Compromise of privacy, etc.
Many people have forgotten what it means to be kind to one another.
Christians are called to become like Jesus. “ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”.~Ephesians 4:31-32.
YHWH loves us with such incredible love. And He wants us to show that love to others.
In His Kingdom,
Raquel G.
I hear you, Raquel. I started using it to share my blog posts and faith encouragement. I must say, I do love that I have been able to make some dear friends that I would have met otherwise. So, like many things it offers both good and bad. I want to be one of the people that promotes the good. Thanks for visiting and for your prayers. God bless you!
Hello Deb!
Thank you for the post today regarding our actions on social media. Many of us probably already know in our hearts what we often do is wrong, and yet we seem to disregard this knowledge and proceed to put our feet in our mouths, or say what’s on our minds anyway. Why? Mostly it’s pride, or wanting to be right, or prove that we know what’s best for others. Goodness, we’re often quite a miserable lot aren’t we?
I am thankful to have people in my life who are encouragers, and I count you as one of those people, even if we’ve never met. I receive several devotionals in my inbox each day, and yet yours seems to be the one that is most practical and pragmatic, while also laying out doctrinal truth. For this I am truly thankful.
More importantly, I am eternally grateful for the Holy Spirit, who is the ultimate encourager. I am thankful for a Father in heaven, who has forgiven me more times than I could possibly count, and who continues to forgive me, knowing I will continue to sin and fail as long as I’m in this mortal tent called a body. And lastly, I am thankful for a sinless Savior who gave everything to die on that cross to save a wretch like me.
Keep up the great work Deb! What you do is important and vital, and is very much appreciated.
Thank you for your encouragement, Ken. It means a lot. God bless you!
I could not agree.more with your message today. I know my flaws, weaknesses and trials. I am far from perfect. When we compare ourselves to others we are judging, making ourselves vulnerable to bring judged. The greatest of these is love…for others and ourselves. We need to be kind as we make our journey, we are all at different stages and face different trials and temptations….there but for God go I. Thank you for your message today, praying it will go out far into the world.
Thank you for your encouragement, Penny. We know so little of each other’s stories, how I pray for patience and kindness to prevail. God be with you and bless you!
We are to build each other up with our words, not tear each other down, and I see it constantly on social media. I am beginning to fear that there is an evil agenda behind most of it. Great post, thank you for giving us food for thought.
Thank you, Joyce. I have to limit my social media time because it can get very discouraging. Thank you for your kind encouragement. God bless you!