By Pastor Brian Phillips
“People will come to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.”
- Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death
A pastor friend of mine recently referred to Twitter (X) as a “cesspool where all the largest chunks rise to the top.” Anyone can start an account (even under a false identity or anonymous account) and write whatever they want, with little regard to how it affects others.
I know, I know. “But there are good things on Twitter too!” Sure. And dumpster diving might help you find some good quality items, but what did you have to wade through to find them? And how do you smell afterwards?
Like any other technological tool, Twitter and other social media platforms can be used for good, but in the hands of fallen man, generally are not. Much of what takes place on Twitter should be considered libel, lying, gossip, bearing false witness, sowing discord among brothers; but because it takes place in a “virtual” space, many act as if none of these considerations apply.
Scripture is not silent or ambivalent when it comes to the power of words, how we use them, or how we are to respond to the words of others. However, as Postman warned, we have “come to adore the technologies that undo (our) capacities to think,” and do not treat them critically enough. So, for those who insist upon dumpster diving, at least create the habit of asking yourself these basic questions while you’re in there:
1) Is this true?
Exodus 20:16 – “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Proverbs 6:19 tell us that the Lord “hates” and regards as “an abomination…a false witness who breathes out lies.”
Proverbs 19:5 – “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.”
Proverbs 24:28 – “Do not deceive with your lips” (or your keyboard, smartphone, or tablet).
Colossians 3:9 – “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”
If you cannot discern the truth of a statement, either ask a wise counselor you know (preferably, an in-the-flesh pastor, elder, or trusted Christian), or ignore it. Above all, do not spread it!
Proverbs 16:28 – “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
Proverbs 17:14 – “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.”
Proverbs 26:20 – “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.”
2) Is it necessary or helpful?
Proverbs 6:19 tell us that the Lord “hates” and regards as “an abomination…one who sows discord among brothers.”
Proverbs 18:8 – “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.” They may be “delicious,” but they rot the gut.
Proverbs 24:28 – “Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause.”
3) Is this worth my time, given what God has already given me to do?
Proverbs 20:3 – “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.”
Proverbs 26:17 – “Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.”
1st Timothy 6:4-5a – The Apostle Paul warns about those who have “an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction.” Now, it should be noted that not all who engage in online controversies fall into the category of false teacher being described by Paul in this passage. But it should also be noted that men of God can become preoccupied with them, hence Paul’s warning.
2nd Timothy 2:14-17a – “Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.”
2nd Timothy 2:23 – “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.”
4) Have I heard both sides?
Proverbs 18:13 - “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”
Proverbs 18:17 - “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”
5) Do you know (and can you trust) the source?
John 7:51 - “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” (emphasis mine)
Titus 3:9-11 – “But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” Some sources should simply be avoided altogether.
