Monday; January 11

I am really struggling with social media. One day, I am ready to shut down my accounts – then, the next, I realize the value that it can have in ministry. I don’t know where this dissonance will lead me, but until I make up my mind, I felt the need to review some of the nuances associated with sharing our public opinions. Folks, social media has been around for decades – warts and all – so we should be familiar with how to approach it; but at the risk of coming off as simplistic, here are a few reminders.
First and foremost, if we are going to be offended by what people post, stay away from social media. Wishing people will be nice to each other will either frustrate us or make us jaded. Certain people will be mean and controversial – even people we know and respect – so, if this troubles us, we shouldn’t look. (This is my struggle.)
Second, if we post something (especially something controversial) expect that someone will challenge us and they might not do it in a nice or respectful way. Again, if this bothers us, it is advisable to not post anything or remember it is okay to simply share our favorite recipes and photos of our vacation on the beach.
Third, avoid reposting things we didn’t write ourselves – especially things that might be considered political or satirical. When we repost someone else’s thoughts we have no control over their choice of hurtful or inciting words. When we prepare it and write it we can control the emotional overtones.
Finally, feel free to read what others write, but be judicious in posting comments on their sites. We wouldn’t want our neighbor coming over to the house and shouting obscenities at us from our front yard would we? Why do we think it is appropriate to do that on someone else’s social media post?
Yet, in summary, if we are looking for proper social media etiquette, here it is in a nutshell, “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:14-15).

Think About It!

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