Facebook is a funny thing. It’s been such a blessing to me since being overseas because it’s a great way to keep up with the people I love. It’s one way that I can still feel connected while being so far away. It has also allowed me to let friends and family in on our lives over here. However, there are a few downsides to being connected. Lately, I’ve been saddened almost every time I log in. The main reason for this sadness is that I see my Christian friends joining groups, making statements, or supporting causes that are hate driven. This is not what Christ calls us to. Opinions are good. Thinking is good. Approaching your faith from the heart and the mind is good. Being politically active is good. Expressing opinions about others with undertones of hate or disdain is not good. Today I logged on to find that several people had joined the group:
DEAR LORD, THIS YEAR YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE ACTOR, PATRICK SWAYZIE. YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE ACTRESS, FARAH FAWCETT. YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE SINGER, MICHAEL JACKSON. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, MY FAVORITE PRESIDENT IS BARACK OBAMA. AMEN.
First off, Patrick Swayze and Farah Fawcett? Really? But that is not what grieves me. What grieves me is how ugly this statement is. It grieves me even more to note that with one exception every friend who joined this group is a Christian. Somehow we’ve come to a point where we believe that if we taint something with humor, it’s OK to be ugly. I think God has a different view.
Psalm 19:14 ~ “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 141:3-4 ~ “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.”
Proverbs 4:23-25 ~ “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.”
Proverbs 10:10-12 ~ “He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Ephesians 4:29-32 ~ “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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
The words we type are still our words. They are generally longer lasting than the words we speak. If we want to proclaim Christ, we need to guard our tongues – and our keyboards. Maybe tomorrow I’ll log in and see that people have joined a group called “I Pray for the President.” Wouldn’t that be refreshing?
I know. It made me sad, too. I get that it’s supposed to be funny, but wishing someone you dislike were dead??? Not funny. Grieves me, too.
Thank you Tricia and Matt for using scripture to remind all of us that what we say and what we do is often the only Bible some will ever see or experience. No matter what we think, if it is demeaning or hateful we must keep it to ourselves. You know…that simple saying we all learned as children. “If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.” And yes we need to be praying for all of our political leaders. My heart is grieved too!!
thank you for sharing your wisdom and reminders of how fragile the human condition is……….much love, Lisa
Dear Ones, Your Mom emailed this to us and we can’t thank her and the two of you enough for reminding everyone, especially believers, that God’s word warns us about our speech and how evil the tongue can be. He wants us to rejoice in Him and love others as He does. The more we pray for others, the less we can use unkind words about those individuals. I thank God for your wisdom. Bob & Pat Parish
Great posting, and way to go Matt with the 1/2 marathon!