I can't tell you how often I've thought about today's blog, yet hesitated to put thoughts to words and words to print. My heart has been conflicted with how, when, or even IF I should write this.
My prayer is "Lord empty me of my own words and emotions, then fill me with yours," even as I'm typing this. My heart has been burdened these past few months with what I see professing Believers posting and sharing on social media. I know I'm not alone in this.
Why have I hesitated to approach this? Well, the motives of my heart were often based on frustration, anger, and disappointment instead of the love Christ commands of me. I don't want to put forth an emotional response, but one that honors the Father.
I don't know if I will succeed in this, but I pray He meets me here and equips. Where I do not, may His grace abound and forgiveness run deep.
The following words aren't meant to be judgmental or condescending, because only God knows how much work He's got left to do in my own life!
Second Timothy 1:7 has frequently been on my mind. "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (fear, cowardice, frailty) but of power (might) and love (of God, then man) and sound mind (discipline, sound judgement, self control, sober-minded)."
I'd encourage you to read the entire chapter. But let's remember Paul wrote this letter to Timothy from a dungeon at the end of his ministry, soon to lose his own life. This was a letter from one man of God to another, from a father to a "son", friend to friend, mentor to mentee. Verse 1 of that chapter tells us these words (of the letter) are in keeping with the promise of life in Christ. Paul, who faced enormous persecution, begins his letter with words of grace, mercy, and peace.
Christian sisters, may our words-written and verbalized- also be in keeping with the promise of life in Christ; full of grace, mercy, and peace.
Timothy had the proper theology and convictions. Now Paul is calling for courage of those convictions. Herein lies my concern. Soften we pride ourselves on our courage to speak and publicize our opinions or "convictions" but are we taking those to the Word, to the Lord, to ensure they are biblical and proper before we take them to the world of social media?
This "spirit of power" is not referencing powerful people or personalities. It's not whomever can speak the loudest or beat their chest the hardest. This is the power to produce eternally significant results that comes from being submitted to and controlled by the Spirit of God. This power operates in the presence of and in conjunction with the Holy Spirit.
Paul is quick to add love to the mix. Power operating with love does not run amok. It is not abusive or injurious. It is compassionate and sensitive, albeit the message is not always welcome or well received. We know Paul's wasn't.
This spirit of love is a love of choice (will, volition) It's a love that says "I choose to love". It's self denying. It says "I give myself away on your behalf". What or whom we love controls our actions. As followers of Christ, this love sounds familiar, right? It's the amazing and humbling love of God the Father and Christ the Son. The Holy Spirit, through our abiding in Christ, enables us to bear this fruit of love: love for God (then man) that is self denying, controlling our actions and our words.
Do we love God more than ourselves? Because if I love myself first, then all I do is to preserve and protect myself, my ideals, my life, my convictions, my rights.
Let's not forget the addition of "sound mind" (self-discipline, sound judgement). This is a fruit of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which ripens as we abide in Him. This enables us to speak truth in love, with conviction, at the proper time, in the proper way.
Christian sisters, we are not to be pulled into, nor spread conspiracy theories that spark fear and confusion among the body of Christ. Having a spirit of sound mind and knowing THE TRUTH, means we are not to be gullible. As Christ followers we are disciples and teachers: no matter our age or the size of our audience. This also goes for watered down or even blatantly unbiblical theology. This is our responsibility.
Verse 9 of this first Chapter in 2 Timothy reminds us we are saved and called to a holy life. This includes our words and actions within social media. Are we living holy in our social media posts? Our conversations? Our political rants? Our shared memes, photos, quotes, and videos?
Are our words (written, said, shared) reflecting the life and light of Christ? Are we praying for each other as Paul did for Timothy in verse 3? Or are we judging one another? (Preaching to the choir here!) Is our faith sincere or do we use our faith to draw attention to ourselves or as an excuse for behavior, that when held in the light of the Word, isn't really Christlike?
Sometimes we sense an injustice or offense and we respond emotionally, not necessarily biblically. Sometimes the spirit of power, love, and self discipline may mean keeping an opinion to ourselves. (It's not easy, I know! I come from a family of very opinionated women-myself included.)
God is just, but let's not mistake HIS holy justice as an excuse for our lashing out. God is still God: with or without our opinions on social media. Are we inflamed, broken, or aghast, at things which break the heart of God or things that simply offend us or infringe on our "rights"? Because until our hearts break for what His breaks, let us not use His name to defend or justify our cause.
Oh God:
May we discern when is a time to speak out or a time to remain quiet. May we submit to your agenda and glorification in doing so.
May we have the courage, combined with love, to speak and write words in keeping with the promise of life in Christ.
May we be instrumental in sharing truth instead of fear, conspiracy, or popular opinion.
May our social media posts pass through the filter of truth, grace, peace, and edification.
May we realize a violation against our own opinions or ideals may not necessarily be a violation against you.
May we not look for sources that simply agree with us or tickle our ears or further our cause, but take our ideas to the ultimate source of Truth. Give us a spirit of discernment, not gullibility.
May love be our motive when voicing disagreement.
May we pause before publicly complaining or ranting about any business or person within our community, realizing we are all human, prone to error and that we don't see all that's behind the scenes. Even if we feel our complaint is justified, does it honor you to take it to a public platform?
May we do diligent research before jumping on a bandwagon of ideas or aligning with organizations.
May we be willing to stand for all lives of all colors of all ethnicities of all occupations of all ages, whether born or unborn.
May our cries over protecting the sanctity of all life be louder than our cries over protecting our personal rights.
May we be respectful and sober minded when approaching and discussing politics. May we realize there is error on both parties, not elevating any one person or party to a "saviorship".
May we recognize God's supremacy over all leaders and powers (within our homes, our courts, our countries), but with wisdom take our responsibility as citizens (of this world and the next) seriously.
May we be concerned about respecting the physical, emotional, spiritual health of others more so than getting our way or being comfortable.
May we embody humility, being respectful of those who have spent years dedicated to education, training, and service within their respected careers.
May we examine our motives. May we not be led astray or be an instrument in leading others astray.
May we be gracious and merciful to those in positions of authority in education, medicine, law enforcement, etc having to make hard decisions.
May we encourage, instead of discourage: build up instead of tear down; seek forgiveness instead of justification.
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