Mind your Tongues and your Thumbs

Steve Lawson, Executive Director

Over the last few weeks, I have been burdened about our priorities as Christians during these difficult times. Or at least our perceived priorities as they display themselves through social media comments. Right now, I am making my way through Ed Stetzer’s “Christians in the Age of Outrage,” reading along with our regional superintendents and ACGC President. This book has made me sensitive to my own attitudes and reactions to what I see and read on the internet.

What is the driving force behind your online actions and motives? Today, we are faced with a world that is in crisis – not just the pandemic but so many social, political, and moral issues that we may think we have to solve. However, the truth is that we are not able to solve these issues ourselves. We have a calling in our lives that is more important than all of these and that calling can adjust our priorities and help others make sense of this world we’re in. Our calling is to share the love of Christ and message of hope that he has given to the world.

One consequence of all this crisis in the age of social media has been severe division. People are actively putting up walls against those with whom they disagree. It is alarming to see social posts that draw a firm line, “If you don’t like this, unfriend me,” or “If you don’t agree, don’t talk to me” as an attempt to sever friendship. We need to count the cost of attacking one another based on our conviction. We will lose the opportunity of sharing the most important message of hope. 

Don’t get me wrong, I believe we must be the salt and light of the world in all things but drawing lines on social media that hurt our witness limits our ability to show God’s love.  Please consider what you type or share and what it says about your life and the message God has given you.