“IF You Can’t Say Something Nice”

I want to say that I am thankful for technology, and all the things that it provides for us. But, like everything good that God provides or makes available to us the enemy distorts and perverts it. I am glad that I have a technology platform to speak to you from, but it grieves my heart the things that I see “Christians” and “preachers” say or comment on social media to or about other Christians.

To attach “Christian” to your resume means that you have to have the qualifications to wear that title. Christian means that you have committed to Christ and His teachings without your own interpretation or opinions. Those who choose to modify the Word of God for personal preference, I believe, are in grave danger of Divine Judgement.

As I read through comments, not the post, on social media I am often appalled at the comments I read from those who call themselves “Christians.” I have come up with a name for those who feel the need to correct, demean or straighten out everyone on social media with a negative or insulting comment. I have chosen the name for these individuals as “spiritual terrorist.”

First, I would like to say that no one has been anointed and ordained by God to correct everyone on social media. God does not have a “spiritual police force” that you are a member of or in charge of. As I read the Bible there is only one “spiritual police officer” and His name is Holy Spirit. I also think He does a pretty good job at that position.

Second, you “DO NOT” have to comment on everyone’s post that you don’t agree with. My momma (and many of yours) would say, “if you can’t say something nice about someone don’t say anything at all.” Those are pretty good words to live by.

I believe this is what the Bible is saying to “Christians” in Ephesians 4:29-NKJV-”Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” I remember the passage of scripture in Mark 9:38-40 where John is speaking to Jesus on his and the other disciples behalf. John proceeds to inform Jesus that they observed “someone who does not follow us casting out demons in your name.” Notice that John didn’t say trying to cast out demons, but doing it. Jesus immediately told the disciples “For he who is not against us is on our side.” Jesus didn’t say, “John, I think you should comment something on their post and straighten them out.” No, Jesus told John to hold his comment and let the kingdom be manifest.

I recently tried to watch a video of a pastor tearing apart a local revival where God performed miracles and the miracles even made the local news. Yes, there were a lot of doubters, but most of them were unbelievers and you expect that from them. This pastor stated that he had watched all 60 (or some ridiculous number) hours of the revival and then proceeded to try to dismantle what God had done, because it did not line up with his theology. The speaker at the revival is a well known speaker that I respect and have followed for a number of years. This pastor played a 5 to 8 second clip of something the speaker had said and then proceeded to criticize, and condemn what the speaker said. We are not told what the context of the comment was or if the speaker corrected himself. Is there anyone who has spoken in public and who meant to say one thing and another came out and you correct yourself.

I cannot find anywhere in the Bible where we are told to correct EVERYONE that doesn’t agree 100% with us. I do find that if I don’t have a relationship with someone I am not required to “correct” them. I can find where we are to pray for those we don’t know personally. We need to pray that God would correct them or correct us and be open to that correction if it comes.

Proverbs 6:16-19, is a list of things that God hates and v. 19 states that God hates, “one who sows discord among brethern.” If we can’t fathom how much God loves us or something, we should be fearful of how much God hates these behaviors.

The Bible gives us a plan for when we disagree with other believers. First pray for them and yourself. Then you have to have at least an acquaintance with them or at least “know them” before attempting to correct them. Go to them with your disagreement and if that doesn’t bring resolution return to that person and take two or three others. If that still doesn’t work take it before the church. That is biblical conflict resolution.

Jesus never went looking to confront the religious leaders of His time, they always brought the disagreement to Him trying to condemn Him. Jesus always answered them with love, but also seriousness to point them to Him and the work of salvation He was going to accomplish.

So if you read something on social media that you don’t agree with and you don’t have a relationship with that individual, pray for them. If you do have a relationship with them remember that the devise in your hand is also a phone and you can call them or even better go visit them. It is amazing how brave and scholarly people are when they are not sitting across the table from you.

Here is the Biblical answer to this situation: remember that the Holy Spirit is the only “spiritual police officer” and He does a pretty good job at it. Also God does not have any “spiritual terrorist”, so if you are guilty of doing this repent and turn in your terrorist mask. If you are making negative comments, stop it! Repent and you may have to apologize to the individual, especially if you don’t know the person or ministry. Pray for them that if they really are in the wrong that the Holy Spirit will correct them. If your know the individual then handle it biblically and go to that person and work it out.

If you are the one receiving the comments refuse to respond! It is your page so delete the comment, block the person or ignore them. My brother commented on something I posted once and I deleted his comment. I didn’t block him, but if he would have continued I would have.

In John chapter17 is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus and the main thing that He ask the Father for is unity among believers. So either you are working to answer that prayer of Jesus or you are the reason that he prayed that prayer.

So as my momma would say, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.”

Working Until He Comes,

Robert