WISDOM ON SOCIAL NETWORKS
Lots of people use social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, MySpace and others. Many Christians also use them and they find value in doing so. But how much do we consider what the Scriptures have to say on how we use them?
I recently read a short article which quoted a few verses from Proverbs that impinged on the use of these networks, and that set me thinking. The author of the article dealt quite a lot with issues of anger and dispute. I suppose that reflected his experience of these sites. Personally, having no experience at all, I want to take a broader perspective. But I have borrowed his idea of taking verses from Proverbs to examine how we should proceed in using them.
Be careful what you say – Proverbs 29:20, Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. This refers to all speech but must have particular reference to the whole process of posting, sharing, sending, and submitting. Personal details and experiences, or impetuous responses can be so easily shared without thought. There is not the restraint of face-to-face contact or of hearing the words coming out of our mouths. Typing and looking at a screen has a strange sort of anonymity.
Avoid being proud – Proverbs 25:27, It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour. How easy it is to fall into boasting and talking only about yourself. The whole culture of these social networks can suck us into their way of thinking and we can become as self-focussed as everyone else. Recounting what we have done can easily lead to exaggerating what we have done. It happens in conversation, how much easier in the quiet privacy of our own rooms. How often Solomon warns us about pride - Proverbs 11:2; 27:2; 29:23. (Look these verses up and take them very seriously).
Be careful what you read – Proverbs 26:8, Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honour to a fool. Tying a stone in a sling is like putting a bung in the end of a gun: The person handling it is damaged, sometimes seriously. So to give credence or even space to those who talk and behave foolishly is not only harmful to them, it is harmful to ourselves. Reading stupidity, non-sense or trivialities is dangerous to us. At the very least a man with his stone tied in his sling is unable to defend himself, and if we read and respond to the prattling of foolish people we are equally exposed to harm. This is where we need discernment because some people can sound very erudite while actually talking foolishness. The New Testament puts great stress on discernment (Philippians 1:10; Romans 12: Galatians 6:4-5; Ephesians 5:10; Romans 14:22; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 4:1).
Avoid gossiping – Proverbs 18:8, The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Proverbs 16:28, A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. Sharing and gossiping can be very close together. “I must just tell you this” can be a frightening introduction to what sometimes ought never to be said. It is true of general conversation when you look someone in the eye. When that restraint is removed as you sit in your own room looking at a screen then the danger increases. There are whole web-sites devoted to gossip – don’t go near them. There are people who like to twitter and post things about other people – don’t go there!
Avoid interfering in other’s private business – Proverbs 26:17, Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own. It is not a good idea to pick a dog up by its ears – it is cruel and it may have nasty repercussions! So it can be as you engage with people you don’t really know or with those who are a long way from you, or with friends you have not seen for a while. These networks are valuable in keeping in touch with folks, but they are seductive in that we think the relationship is the same as if we were actually seeing them all the time. There are significant differences and we need to be aware of them.
Avoid whatever is unseemly – Proverbs 28:10, He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. It seems almost unnecessary to make this point but perhaps some will need the warning. A passing comment which makes an unrighteous suggestion or a short account of some activity which was slightly dubious can lead to thoughts and ideas that open the door to sin. Stories abound of people doing things because they read it on somebody’s Facebook page, or saw a video on YouTube, or received a Tweet. Never be responsible for saying or suggesting anything dubious or dishonourable - Proverbs 26:27, If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.
Avoid contentions – Proverbs 26:21, As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. Proverbs 27:15, A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; It is easy to get dragged into a quarrel. It is possible to develop a quarrelsome spirit. These social networks can create opportunities for dissension which may not arise in face to face conversations. Be careful what you write.
There is a need for caution but not a need not to use these new media. What I have written has been entirely by way of warning. That does not mean we should avoid these things. It does mean we must behave carefully and with wisdom. Perhaps praying before you go on-line is a minimum safeguard. Having said that, the opportunities to share the Gospel and speak of Christ in your own experience are great. The possibility they provide of keeping in contact with people and of keeping friends up-to-date on what you are doing are valuable. But with everything in life there are dangers. He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. (Proverbs 28:26).
We have heard the wisdom of God through the book of Proverbs; let us take head to it not only on social networks but in all our conversation and conduct.
Roger Hitchings
9/10/10