Screenshots. Tweets. Group texts. Publications. Brooches. The use and types of messages and social networks are endless. See if this scenario resonates with you? Cindy looks at her phone and notices that she has a new message. She opens it and sees that Jasmine and Carly are also included in the message. The message is not really a message at all. It’s a Facebook screenshot of Darla’s recent post.
The text below the image is,
“Can you believe she would say that?” (Of course, there would be no grammatical correction
or score.) The messages then continue between the group as each girl now contributes her contributions, her screenshots and her memes. Or maybe Tracy posted a quote on her Instagram page and now you need to know if there is a hidden message based on the
information you heard yesterday in the office break room. So you quickly text a coworker and ask, “Do you think she’s implying what we think she’s implying?”
In the book of James, the entire essence of chapter 3 deals with the dangers and effects of the tongue. The last part includes the problems that arise from jealousy and selfish ambition compared to the wisdom of God.
In James 3:5-10 it says: “So also the tongue is a small thing, uttering great words. But a small spark can set a big forest on fire. And among all the members of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of evil, which corrupts your entire body. It can set fire to your entire life, because the fire itself is lit by hell.
People can domesticate all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and fish, but no one can domesticate the language. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes he praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes he curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so, blessings and curses flow from the same mouth. Surely, my brothers, “this is not right.”
Yes, the tongue has so much power. And now, unfortunately, our thumb also has that same power. The tongue and thumb can destroy lives. Teens and adults alike use social media to spread gossip, create drama, and cause unnecessary harm through perceptions and assumptions. Our world today makes it easier than ever to spread gossip. In centuries past, people at least had to wait until they met to discuss issues. Now it’s as easy as picking up our device and contacting someone. Today many even have a perverse desire for drama and gossip, as people spend hours browsing social media to see if they can find a topic to insert themselves into.
Why have we, as Christians, excused gossip for so long? Me included. Why do we put so much emphasis on certain sins, but allow gossip to be defended? Gossip is sometimes even disguised as prayer requests. If the situation is not yours to share with others, then you should pray about that matter, but not pass it on for others to “pray about.” Gossip can easily be defined as talking to someone who is not part of the problem or cannot be part of the immediate solution. We probably need to stop talking.
Christians, let’s take a stand against gossip, both verbal and electronic. Refusing to initiate it and refusing to participate in it. Let’s work on taming our tongue and our thumbs! Pray that God gives you strength to refrain from posting, creating group messages, and capturing information. If others put you in that situation, politely excuse yourself from the message.
This blog was written by Amy Carrico: author of the blog Making the Moments Matter
Last updated on March 28, 2024
