Contending or Contentious

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” ~ Ephesians 4:29

On a recent flight I picked up one of those in flight magazines to kill some time and I came upon an article by Bob Sprankle titled “The Internet is Forever…Sort of” and he has some interesting comments.

“We are constantly telling our students to be careful what they post online because “nothing ever goes away on the Internet.” That photo of them at that keg party posted on Facebook could come back to haunt them later when they try to get into a college or apply for a job. Theoretically, this is definitely true. We have created a “collective” memory on the Internet. A photo can be copied—an endless number of times—and might never go away. For all intents and purposes, it’s permanent.”

Sprankle went on to share how a site called Déjà News made it easy to search archives of Usenet posts, and how Google later acquired Déjà News and other archives. By doing so Google made these sites available in its search engine so posts created as far back as 1981 could be accessed. Sprankle states; “Quite simply, many early users had not thought about their posts having such longevity, and there was an outcry of loss of privacy and control upon the realization that the content could now be “owned” and available through a search engine.”

This article alone should serve as a cautionary tale to us all about being wary about what we post or what we are “known” for. While I could probably devote an entire entry on our collective lack of discernment about posts on social networking pages, I actually have a more pointed plea to my fellow Christians. There is a far more troubling “search engine” that we many times fail to be cognizant of and that is how we are perceived or what message we convey to those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Is our communication or Internet “talk” good for building up and giving grace to those who hear or see?

Just this last summer some dear Christian friends were making the tough decision about where to send their child to school and what grade they should enroll her in. All of a sudden the flood gates of self righteousness and slander were opened and this individual who was "Contentious for the faith" decided their social networking page was going to be his bully pulpit to decry the ills of the public school system. Motives were questioned and heart attitudes were lambasted repeatedly. We are all so quick to judge even when we don’t know the facts, and we equate our opinions with truth. I was encouraged that my fellow church members posted replies to show their loving, caring and kind understanding support to parents faced with a difficult decision. This did not dissuade the poster who twisted scripture to fit his personal preference and standard.

Besides forgetting every verse in the Bible warning against strife, causing division, pride and self-righteousness this individual also clearly forgot that social networks are public forums, and that not all connections have been transformed by the Gospel and have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide them. This couple had unsaved family and friends who were literally blown away by the lack of love, respect and uplifting discourse. It didn’t matter than a half dozen or more fellow Christians were supportive; the one that stuck out like a sore thumb was the contentious believer.

I have sadly had similar experiences with well meaning Christians who have tried to hijack my social networking page to lambaste individuals, (that I have been witnessing to), about their political or social positions, or just have shown an unloving stridency in their comments. We all need to be on our guard within Christian circles to not fall prey to group think; “…a pattern of thought characterized by self-deception, forced manufacture of consent, and conformity to group values and ethics.” While our morals and values have been (or should be) formed by God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit we need to remember that not everyone agrees with us. Is what we are saying, posting or blogging about framing the Gospel in the best possible light? The only group think we should be guilty of is a Philippians 2:1-18 type of testimony to the world.

When I started this post I referenced Ephesians 4:29, and in the book “Respectable Sins” the author (Jerry Bridges) states; “Corrupting talk is not limited to profanity or obscene speech. It includes all various types of negative speech…Note Paul’s absolute prohibition. No corrupting talk. None whatsoever. This means no gossip, no sarcasm, no critical speech, no harsh words. All of these sinful words that tend to tear down another person must be put out of our speech. Think about what the church of Jesus Christ would look like if we sought to apply Paul’s words.” Bridges goes on to state; “The questions we should ask ourselves about these kinds of comments are Is it kind? and Is it needful? By the latter, I mean does it really need to be said?”

The world is watching you and I closer than we know. Like me, you might not be guilty of outward sin and rebellion that is easy for all to see. If I am honest with myself I am crafty and I tolerate “Respectable Sins” and they do more harm to the cause of Christ than I may ever know. We all need to stop and think before we are the stumbling block that gives the offense to the Gospel.

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:10