Ask These Three Questions Before You Post on Social Media

This past Sunday, I raised some questions about how we post on social media. I’ll attempt to simplify and clarify them here.

First, does this make clear the centrality of the gospel? Would people read our Facebook walls or Twitter timelines and have no doubt that Jesus is everything to us? From Sunday…

…look through your Facebook timeline or your Twitter feed. Ask yourself honestly. What would people say I’m first and foremost about? What is my passion? Would they say Jesus? Would they say that He’s what’s beautiful and valuable to me? Or some political issue or hobby horse? If not, I challenge you to scrub your wall and not mar it up again.

Second, does this work toward unity around the gospel? Would others read what we post on social media and think that varying viewpoints on issues or allowed? To quote myself again…

…look on social media again and ask this honestly. How might my words work against the diversity we long for in this community? If you rant on issues and say everyone who doesn’t agree with you is an idiot, are you going to be surprised if we’re not unified? Are you going to be shocked if people who don’t agree with you want to go somewhere else?

Third, does this reflect trust in the sovereignty of God? Would friends read our words and think that we trust in God and His rule? Or would they observe words of panic?

If you look at the timelines of most Christians, you see so much doom and gloom. The sky is falling, it seems like, more and more each day. Our words are discipling people. If we’re Christians, our words – spoken or typed – are teaching people about Jesus and His church. Are they teaching people that Jesus is what we’re about? That His gospel is everything? That we love love and respect people that don’t agree with us here? That there’s room for everybody? But beyond that, do we teach people that Jesus is on the throne of the earth? That we have confidence in His reign? That He’s making things new now? That He’ll make all things right at the end? Or are we freaking out? Are we acting like everyone else? With no confidence in a sovereign God. With no hope that His word will spread. What kind of disciples are we making? If your timeline looks like everyone else’s – either with ranting or fretting – we’ve got to rethink what we’re posting.