Guarding Our Influence On Social Media:Part 2

     This article features points #4 and #5 of last week's article. 

          4. Using social media to vent unrighteous anger or argue with other members of the church.  It is common from time to time for a person to get upset at another person for various reasons. As long as a person has “righteous” anger, it is fine to show this anger toward others. “Righteous” anger involves being angry at anything that is done that is Biblically wrong. Showing anger for any other reason is unrighteous anger. For example, you can have righteous anger toward someone who practices homosexuality because they are committing a sin. This form of anger can help a Christian be better motivated to help others who are committing sinful acts. Having righteous anger does not mean that a Christian hates another person. A Christian should hate the sin being committed, but love the person enough to want to try and change them. An example of unrighteous anger could be becoming angry at someone, because the person disagreed with you on an opinionated matter, not a doctrinal matter. As a Christian, we should not act out in anger over this. We should always set an example to others on how to be more like Jesus, Who only showed righteous anger. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). 
      We can show righteous anger toward sinful acts on social media by speaking against sin and teaching others about sin in our posts. Showing unrighteous anger in our posts should not be done. We should show others the importance of focusing on heavenly matters instead of worldly matters. 
Likewise, if we have a disagreement with another member of the church over a private biblical matter, it would be best to talk to this person privately or in person. Even if you are correct in your defence of the Gospel, going back and forth with another Christian in the public eye can lead members of denominations to believe that the church of Christ has division within itself. We should always protect the church’s reputation so that we may better lead others to Christ. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1). 
     5. Displaying immodest dress in pictures. You can read what is considered immodest and modest dress according to the Bible in my article entitled “Immodesty and How the Bible Commands Us To Dress,” which was posted on this blog on July 14, 2016.  Immodesty is very prevalent in photographs I see on Facebook and other social media sites. Those who dress immodestly disrespect themselves as well as others by showing too much of their bodies. The best way to dress modestly is to make sure that the body is covered from the shoulders to the knees whether you are sitting down or standing up. Immodesty can also apply to wearing too much, such as too much makeup, overly flashy clothing or jewelry, and so forth. However, wearing too little seems to be a bigger issue nowadays rather than wearing too much!

          This article was intended to show those who use social media the importance of using the Internet as a tool to spread the Gospel rather than things of the world. We should always be careful in everything we say and do in life, and the Internet is no exception. Some people find it easier to say things online that they would not in person because they are not face-to-face with their audience. Their audience, however, hears what is said online, and they will remember what you say and do online for a long, long time. As Christians, we are to be in the world but not of the world, and therefore, we should not “follow the herd” so to speak when choosing what to say and post online. Just because some people may enjoy using social media to vent their unrighteous anger and spread inappropriate material, does not make it right for us to do so. May we ever strive to keep our minds focused on the goal of reaching Heaven! If we do this, then the temporary problems of this world will cease to hold a prominent place in our lives. “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever”(I John 2:17). 

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