Walking through hallways, grocery store aisles, attending sporting events, musical productions, school events, church services and even in public restrooms – the availability of cell phones has invited us into the lives of the oblivious.
Having worked in the social media realm for three years watching news feeds, posts, blogs, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter… around the clock, was an eye opening experience.
It seems that the curtains and window shades of life are no longer drawn tight! They are flung open wide for the world to peak inside! All inhibitions are gone. In many cases it’s more than a peak, it’s the full Monty – men and women alike are baring it all!
Nothing is left to the imagination!
They are opinionated, mostly about things they know nothing about, passing on “truths” they have no firsthand knowledge of, nor have they checked them out. Their conversation ranges from complaining about life in general, to religious rhetoric, to political pummeling, to the captivating details of Shades of Grey whether they have read it or not (No, I am not recommending anyone read it!).
These conversations occur with both believers and unbelievers alike. Unfortunately the lines are blurred – or are they? John tells us that the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious (1 John 3:10).
I often wonder if they are aware of the show they are putting on for the WHOLE world to see!
Rest assured the world IS watching.
10 Rules of Engagement
The rules of engagement are rules used for engaging society when using social media, many of which are the same rules you learned in kindergarten.
1. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.Our mothers repeated this over and over when we were young and for those of us who watched Disney’s Bambi, we heard Bambi’s mother tell him that.
2. Not my circus, not my monkeys. (Polish proverb)You can’t fix everything. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn in to other people’s drama. You can’t fix everyone else’s problems.
3. If you don’t want your children, mother or grandmother to see something, don’t post it!
4. Some thoughts are better left unsaid. (2 Corinthians 10:5) If what you are thinking doesn’t line up with the mind of Christ, don’t say it. Although some thoughts may be true, ask yourself “Do they add any value to this conversation?”
5. Use words that build up and strengthen, rather than tear down and destroy. (Ephesians 4:29)
6. Calling someone out publicly on social media, rather than going to them personally, is sin. (Matthew 18:15)
7. Be sure your sins will find you out! Remember that anything you say, any picture you post, every hashtag you use, etc. is literally out there for the whole world to see permanently. Even if you delete it it’s in a newsfeed somewhere. What you think is hidden can and will be revealed.
8. Couching unkind, mean, cutting, impure, deceptive, disrespectful …words with “JK”, “just sayin” or using a snarky hashtag is inappropriate (Philippians 4:8)
9. Only post those things that are pleasing to the Lord. Yes, He does see them! (Psalm 19:14)
10. If you don’t like people staring in your windows close the curtains!
Evaluate what you are about to post. Hold it up to the rules of engagement and then ask yourself, “Does what you are about to tweet or post honor God or does it injure the reputation of the Holy One?”
Finally brethren, whatever is
True – opposite of dishonest or unreliable
Honorable – dignified, worthy of respect
Right – conformed to God’s standards
Pure – what is wholesome, not mixed with impurity
Lovely – promotes peace, not conflict
Good Repute – positive, constructive rather than negative, destructive
If there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, …post or tweet these things!