Glorified Gossip - Dinner #99

I’m afraid we like to share far more than just family photos and delicious recipes, on Facebook, right now.  

During this time of isolation, we somehow feel the need to spread the latest news, as well.  “Did you hear?” Re-post. “This makes me so mad!” Re-post.  “How can they do this to us?!” Re-post. 

Social media is being used as a platform for angry accusations . . . and many of us are only adding fuel to the fire. 

Proverbs 26:20-22 declares, “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire ; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”

Certainly, some political and COVID-19 Facebook posts are accurate, but many of them are nothing more than glorified gossip; fragments cut and pasted from an original document, or images twisting the truth.  In recent days, I’ve observed dear friends unintentionally sharing one inaccuracy after another regarding CDC requirements and government guidelines.  I’ve watched in sadness as good Christian people spread slander regarding politicians and pastors alike.  

“They lie! They lie!”, the internet articles howl. “They’re making our lives miserable!” “They seek to destroy us all!”  And in a moment of anger and frustration, others join the online mob.  With the snap of our fingers – or the tap of our Smart Phone – we tear down and we burn, without a second thought.

James 3:5 tells us, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

As Christians, we should be champions of TRUTH!  We should be the ones most cautious to check, and double-check before we ever re-post the sensational; before we ever share what somebody else supposedly said or did.  Our voice on social media is no different than our voice in tangible relationships.  Our ability to spread gossip is just as dangerous.  Whenever possible, we ought to go to the source itself for verification! 

Is that what the pastor meant? I urge you to take the time to re-play his sermon.  Are those the actual health recommendations?  Visit www.cdc.gov.  Did the governor REALLY say that? Listen to the recorded speech.  Read the information posted on the politician’s OFFICIAL website.  Check the date on the article. Earnestly seek to spread only the truth!

Psalm 15 encourages us to be, “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.”

We must not allow ourselves to be so easily caught up in the “Did you hear?! He said . . . ! She said . . .! How shocking!”

We are apart right now, and, in many ways, the online platform is our loudest voice.  Dear Children of Light, may the information we share ring TRUE!

Ephesians 4:25 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor . . .”