O, Be Careful Little Thumbs What You Post

 Here's another post about social media.  It's safe to say there's a lot of posts out there about the dangers of social media, the etiquette of social media and the like floating out there.  I've written at least a few times in this vein as well and this is another one of those posts.

Like it or not, social media is a major aspect of a lot of our lives, and how we exist of social media is important.

One of the major ways we interact on social media should be likes of posts/photos of vacations and kids.  However, one of the major ways we interact on social media is in ALL CAPS.  We (though we deny it) love being angry at one another, we love arguing with one another, we love owning each other for the cause of our side.

Christians, is this how we want to be known?

"There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to Him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." Proverbs 6:16-19 (emphasis added)

A man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

The last line made me think of a Facebook friend of mine.  In typical Facebook friendship, I've never seen this person in real life.  This post isn't directed at him, but inspired by some of his postings.  He, like me, enjoys the give and take of an argument (exchanging and defending of ideas, not a fight).  He seems to really enjoy posting controversial questions which lead to an explosion of comments. 

Many of the people commenting may be like he and I.  They might enjoy a fun, rousing argument.  However, many others may actually be mad and it may actually split friends.  Is social media the best place for this?

Many news media (especially local news media) like to post controversial stories and then comment "What do you think?"  As expected the comments are many and volatile.  The media outlet gets lots of traffic and increases its social media presence, but is it worth it and should Christians jump into the fray?

This post isn't to say Christians need not argue ideas and even argue them in the public square.  This post is to say "the LORD hates a man who stirs up dissension among brothers and, in fact, finds him detestable."  That's a heavy thing.  That should apply a weighty warning.

O, be careful little thumbs what you post.

O, be careful little thumbs what you post.

For the Father up above is looking down in love.

O, be careful little thumbs what you post.

Christian, be careful what you post.  Many of our beliefs are becoming increasingly unpopular, but that doesn't mean our social media activity should be increasingly detestable to God and that we should exemplify the type of person the book of Proverbs says that God hates.  I'll put it bluntly, social media commenting and posting is very unlikely to persuade and is more likely to create dissension.  Before you post, use wisdom and run it through prayer.  

I have failed in this and unfortunately may continue to fail in this at times.  I'm learning that much of the wisdom in the book of Proverbs can be summed up in two words: Shut up.  

Pastor Josh said this morning that words are like razors.  Razors intended to shave are used to slay in the hands of evil men.  Will your words serve a godly purpose or an evil purpose today?

Your Role Matters

 What positions in the local church require the Holy Spirit?

You'll likely answer this question by saying preachers, elders, Sunday School teachers, worship leaders, deacons and the like.  Or you'll say, "all of them" but you won't know exactly why other than the answer sounds right.

But what about the facilities team, the kitchen volunteers, the audio-visual team leader, the children's crafts coordinators and the like?  Do those sorts of positions within your church really require the empowering of the Holy Spirit?  Do those types of roles within the functioning of the church really need spiritual influence or are they not on the spiritual plain?

Let me refer you to a story that will clear up this question.  It's from the book of Exodus when God had told Moses how worship in the community of Israel was to be conducted.

"Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge of all kinds of crafts... to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship.  And He has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.  He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen and weavers... all of them master craftsmen and designers." Exodus 35:30-35

God filled this man, Bezalel, with the Holy Spirit so he had the ability to lead the facilities team, as it were, so he could lead the interior decorating team, as it were, so he could teach crafts to others.  The Holy Spirit that moved within Bezalel and Oholiab was the same that empowered Moses.  Don't miss that.

We must avoid the temptation to create categories of spirit and non-spiritual within the workings of the church.  Given that the Church and your local church is a spiritual house, the work within it is also spiritual... from the work of the pastor to the facilities team leader.

Don't believe Satan's lies that the manifestation of skills from the Holy Spirit in you are useless or undignified.  Serve using the skills God has blessed you to have.  Serve in the role the Holy Spirit empowers you to serve knowing that you are serving the God who made you the way you are intentionally.  

Show proper honor to all who serve in the house of God today.