Are you on social media? The various methods for communicating today have multiplied — Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Instagram and on it goes. And yes, those are all spelled correctly.
But here is the bottom line: You can communicate with friends or perfect strangers in more ways today than ever. And that can be a good thing.
I have caught up with a number of high-school and college friends. That’s been a lot of fun. I’ve also learned of the deaths of a couple of old friends. Of course, that is not good, but at least I have heard the news, and for that I am grateful.
Of course, social media can be both a blessing and curse. My dad used to tell me something that I tried to teach my sons. “Sport,” (yes that was his nickname for me) he would say, “you don’t have to say everything you think.”
That was some of the best advice I ever received. Just because it comes into your mind does not mean that it should be shared.
I’m on Facebook. I don’t post a lot, but I do get on it and read once or twice every day. There are times that I learn things that I really do need to know. But I also read much that I ought not see.
Sometimes, people post things on social media that they really ought not to say publicly. It almost is as if they think they have anonymity when that is not the case. Your name is attached to everything you say and sometimes to things others say. You need to be careful.
James 3:6 says, “The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.” How true that is. Later in the same chapter, James wrote, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
Recently, my youngest son posted, “Wise men are not always silent, but they know when to be.” To that I respond, “Yep.”
The old children’s song says, “O, be careful little mouth what you say;” better advice has never been given. Whether on social media, the telephone or face to face, be careful what you say. Words are powerful. Speak words that bring life, peace and hope. Even when you reprimand, do it in love.
What a difference you can make as you do.