This world is full of opinions. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone thinks their opinion is the right way.
Scroll through Facebook for just ten minutes and you will see post after post of people sharing their opinions and arguing that their way is the only way. I see one post pro masks and how if you don't wear a mask you are a horrible, selfish person. The very next post is anti masks and how if you wear a mask you are a spineless human letting the government control you. I see one post supporting our President and how if you don't support him you are a liberal and ruining our country. The very next post is completely against our President and how if you do support him you are a horrible individual ruining our country.
Oh the arguments!
My heart aches at the unkind words, the hatred, the fear, the bullying. It's awful!
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how you should answer each person.
Colossians 4:6
Pleasant words are a honeycomb:
sweet to the taste and health to the body.
Proverbs 16:24
The Bible tells us to be gracious in our speech. To use pleasant words. Differing opinions do not give us a green light for using unkind words or to bully another human being. I have never once see rude comments or hate filled posts (or conversations) change someone's opinion. In fact, it is normally the opposite.
What if instead of letting differing opinions ruin our day, or even worse, ruin relationships, we simply used gracious words? What if we prayed that God would reveal truth to the person? What if we prayed that God would reveal truth to us if we are wrong? What if we used sweet words and let the body and heart heal?
I want to challenge you. When you are scrolling through social media, if you see a post you do not agree with, pray. Ask God to reveal truth to the poster if they are wrong, but also as God to reveal truth to you if you are wrong. Make sure that your words are not rude and unkind, but are instead pleasant and gracious. Remember that your words can show the light of Jesus or can ruin your witness.
It's time for Share A Link Wednesday! Each Wednesday we invite you to leave a link to your latest blog post in the comments. We still desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories.
Thank you Jenifer! We need this reminder today!!! SM is so crazy right now, and if we can be gracious with our speech our testimonies will not suffer in the way they could if we are not. Great reminders!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.instaencouragements.com/blog/god-is-in-tune-with-my-voice-as-if-it-is-the-only-one
Social media has surely caused people to verbalize things they would never say in person. May we remember our words do matter and we are accountable for the words we speak.
ReplyDeleteMy post: http://www.joanneviola.com/2020/07/the-state-of-your-flocks/
This is so true. I sometimes just stay away from facebook. My heart can not handle all the hate and spite. I would rather just leave it alone. I do like your advice though to pray when we see something we do not agree with. I think that is very wise advice. I wrote this week about family vacations, http://keepingthetiethatbinds.com/2020/07/14/family-vacations-are-the-best-kind-of-blessing/
ReplyDelete