The Power of a Tweet

I have a Twitter account handle. But if you've looked me up you'll know I rarely tweet. 

It's not because I don't have anything to say. I will admit it's difficult for me to keep to 250 words and articulate what I mean but that's not the main reason for much of my silence on that platform.  

I find the platform often depressing. I don't follow a huge list of people - some Christian authors, sports teams, various royal families - and I'm saddened at how often it's the Christian accounts that burden my heart. 

It all comes down to loyalties. Pastors will retort back and forth, setting up camps. Others will join in to defend this point or that. Every controversial topic must be addressed, everyone must know who thinks what about everything. But in 250 characters, it doesn't always come across well. And many times it seems like people are defending ‘their person’ more than addressing the actual issue from a biblical standpoint.

I think of Twitter as social media sarcasm. People try to say the wittest thing in the fewest words. But sarcasm is hard to read when you can’t see the person’s body language. I’ve seen many a comment where someone said, “Are you serious?” and completely blew up because he thought the author was taking a certain a position. And the author replied, “No, I was being sarcastic.” How is that helpful? Who does that benefit? And why must we always seek to outdo the comment before us?

And then on Sunday Twitter, all the Christians come out with their favorite Bible verse, praise song, some uplifting sentiment. Monday is business as usual, flinging verbal mud at whoever disagrees about something. 

Now I know if someone who claims to be Christian is taking an unbiblical position or sinning, that needs to be confronted. But I rarely see that done on Twitter in love. And usually the statements that draw the most comments have to do with politics, culture, or a certain stand on an issue the author is taking. Immediately, people swoop in, writing things [I hope] they would never say to someone’s face. It’s pure anger and pride.

Let's be clear. No human is perfect. No leader or pastor or theologian has it right 100% of the time. And remember my dad was a pastor/Bible teacher for years, my husband is a pastor, several brothers in law are pastors, my father in law is a pastor…I’m surrounded by many wise, learned men who have studied the Bible for years. But they always encourage me to study the Bible for myself and not just take their word or blindly follow their every opinion. Because they know they are fallible.

We are not called to attack other Christians because they said something bad about our 'favorite Christian personality.' Which begs the question should we even have a favorite Christian personality? There are some well-known authors that I genuinely respect but I don’t always agree with everything they write. I have yet to find someone I would defend as passionately as I would the Bible.

I've seen several times where as soon as something hits the internet - a video or speech - a Christian thought leader will post thoughts or criticism or his/her take on it. Often it corresponds to the Christian leader's platform or favorite topic. Then a few days later when more of the story breaks or a new witness to the video steps forward, everything changes and apologies are issued. Grace and forgiveness are asked for. And I can't help thinking maybe they should have sat on their thoughts a few days before blasting them onto social media. 

But in this technology age, everyone wants to be relevant. Everyone wants to be heard. Everyone wants to be the first to issue a statement on things. 

This isn't the attitude we read about in the Bible.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phil. 2:3-4

We are told as that chapter continues to be humble like Jesus who went to the cross, the most despicable way to die. Not because he was thinking of what it would do to him - to take our sin and have God turn from him -  but because he was thinking of us and how we didn't have hope without his sacrifice. 

Like I said, I don't tweet often. But I have typed out several, probably more than I've ever published, and then deleted. When I see my own words and imagine people reading them, people who don't know me or my background and me not knowing where they're coming from, it's easy to see how unhelpful my shotgun thoughts can be. I've been misunderstood in social media posts before. Where someone read my comment, framed it in their way, and turned it back in anger. It's incredibly frustrating to have strangers or friends think the worst about you because of hasty words. Misconstrued words. 

Let's be better. With God's help and wisdom, let's think before we tweet (or post), considering one another. Arguments are rarely won on the internet but oh the strife created! And doesn't Satan revel and laugh at our folly. Instead let's build one another up unto every good work {I Thess. 5:11}. Christians and unsaved alike are watching and judging and being influenced by how we conduct ourselves in the most public of places: online.

Photo by Julien Pouplard on Unsplash

Be Kind

Does it really need to be said? Apparently it does.

It has grieved and.troubled me how rational, Bible believing people have turned to anger, suspicion, and hate toward other Christians and unsaved alike. And to compound the issue, they are taking to social media where anyone can see their hatred and rage. I recently observed an online conversation that started with, “A video I posted was removed by Facebook” and within 20 comments had escalated to name calling, threats of unfriending, and some really angry remarks that had nothing to do with the original post.

So let’s pause a moment and gain some wisdom from a rabbit.

In the animated movie, Bambi, a rabbit named Thumper makes an observation about the fawn which is true but not necessarily nice. The mother rabbit asks, “What did your father tell you this morning?” To which Thumper replies reluctantly, “If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.” What wisdom from a bunny! My Me-Ma had another saying along these lines that she loved to pop into conversation when someone was struggling: “Pretty is as pretty does.” Meaning act pretty (kind) if you want to be pretty on the outside.

But that seems to be the farthest thing from anyone’s mind right now. Everyone cares about stating their opinion and sharing why anyone who disagrees is wrong.

So indulge me in a little refresher course on what kindness is.

1) Kindness is speaking in love. Sometimes we need to share the truth with others and oppose what they are saying BUT that is in reference to people speaking against God, glorifying sin/sinful behavior, etc. And even then, it needs to be in an attitude of love. At this point, we could stop and read all of I Corinthians 13 but let’s just focus on verse 4: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.” Don’t forget Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

2) Kindness is sensitive. Do you know the situation/circumstance/life story of every person you contact? We have no idea what other trials or decisions people are facing, especially if we’re only engaging with them on social media. I have been hurt by something someone posted just after a huge trial in my life. It might not have been directed at me personally but the tone and condemnation of what was written hit me at a very fragile time. I know some of you are rolling your eyes, thinking, “If I did that, I’d never post anything. I can’t think of every person’s emotional state before I say something.” It’s true, people are accountable for the way they take things and for their attitude and actions after. But that doesn’t give us the right for angry, insulting remarks. Recognize that people have reasons for choosing to wear a mask/not wear a mask/stay home/go to the park, etc. And it’s not our place to shower criticism or anger on their personal choices.

3) Kindness is humble. Have you ever been wrong? Have you ever passionately stood behind something and then changed your mind as you got older, learned more, etc? We all have and in this current age of technology and information, we receive new information constantly. And it contradicts! And it changes! And the media does have a bias and does report negative, scary news because that is what gets clicks! “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3) Be careful to not shout your knowledge in an attempt to look smart, thumb your nose at others, or look more spiritual. That is not humility and that is not thinking of others. Philippians 2 is all about the humility of Christ and how we are to follow that example.

4) Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. We are told in Galatians a list of nine things that should be evident in a Christian’s life. Kindness happens to be one of them. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Gal. 5:22-23) 

I’m just going to throw this out there for you to consider: if you read something that really burns you up and you want to belittle the author or the person who posted, go to your bathroom and talk to the wall. Or write it all out in a notebook. Do you know how many times I’ve complained or vented frustrations to myself and when it was over, I was very glad I was the only one who heard my angry words? Things spoken in anger are rarely helpful. If you need to get it out, do it alone. The internet doesn’t need more venom.

I know sometimes we post things that aren’t meant to offend; we’re sharing information or articles for people to consider. But if someone posts a comment disagreeing or angry about the article, we need to monitor our response and decide if it’s worth engaging. Every comment doesn’t need a reply. Most people who comment on social media aren’t looking for a real discussion of pros and cons and you probably won’t change their mind, even with a well-crafted response. They just want to get their two cents in. It’s okay to walk away first.

Here’s my last thought on this. On social media, we don’t know who will read what we say. Please be considerate and remember, everyone is struggling to make their own decisions based on what is best for their families and within their states guidelines. Don’t think people are just following the crowds and haven’t given thought to their choices.

Let’s cover ourselves and each other in prayer. Think about your responses before responding. Remember, you’ll be worshiping, going to family picnics, interacting with these people who have witnessed and observed you online. Guard your heart. Trust God. Be humble.

Just be kind.

Photo by Dayne Topkin on Unsplash