Part 2: Use your voice to speak to things that matter.

When social media began being a force about fifteen years ago, I was serving on staff of a church as a student pastor. Several of my students used social media as an outlet to express all kinds of things that they never dreamed of their parents seeing. For the most part that was true; parents never ventured onto social media. Times have changed. I eventually opened a Xanga site (throwback) just so I could keep up with what was going on with those to which I ministered. I decided quickly that God has not called me to be the social media police. I recognize that no one can control what another person puts out there. However, Christians should be concerned about what they put out there. The Bible gives some pretty specific parameters on how believers should conduct their conversations. One such guide is found in 2 Timothy 2:23.

2 Timothy 2:23 says “But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.”

Paul tells his young apprentice that he must not get bogged down in every foolish matter going on in the world. If you are on social media for any time at all you have seen the unending scrolls of people venting their latest frustration regarding politics, religion, local issues, and even personal crisis. Usually below such post you will see the argument begin; often the thread turns personal and bitter. The question becomes, should church leaders or believers in general be involved in such petty arguments?

If you fight over everything you will not have the energy to engage in the fights that matter. The enemy wants to dilute your voice by getting you to spread your focus over many lessor matters so that it undermines your voice on things that do matter. Obviously there are times when you must speak up. Some things need your voice but probably not as many matters as you think. Prayerfully consider this question: Have I become so engaged in proving my point that I am silent on the most vital points I should be making? Are you standing for Christ or just using His name to stand for your own opinion?

Today’s Challenge: Don’t disengage from using your voice to stand for Christ. Prayerfully consider if the arguments you make are proclaiming His heart or simply defending your position. Use your voice to speak to the things that matter.