Public Arguments
Facebook isn’t always the best place to air your thoughts.
Reference: v.15 “If a brother or sister sins, go and point out the fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” (TNIV Bible)
Explore: I really enjoy Facebook. I like keeping in touch with old friends and acquaintances I don’t see very often.
For work (Melbourne radio station, LightFM) we use Facebook as an extra way to connect with our listeners during and outside our show. There are lots of ways that Facebook brings people closer together.
However, Facebook isn’t always the best place to air your thoughts. So many times I have seen people update their status in a negative way.
Particularly within the teenage population, but not exclusively, Facebook is used as a public forum to pull down someone you don’t like. Typing something into a computer is a lot easier than saying it to their face, and so, Facebook becomes a means of pay-back to someone you are angry with.
It’s the ultimate passive-aggressive move, to post something publicly for all to see. However, there are huge ramifications in the real world when something has been spoken in the cyber world. We are not removed from what we write, and tension and hatred increase when discussions are done online rather than face-to-face.
Application: When Jesus encouraged people to deal with their problems face-to-face he wasn’t even referring to Facebook back then! However, through all the ages He knew that dealing with your issues head-on leads to the best result.
These verses in Matthew 18 are so helpful and practical. If we were all to live according to this guidance then there would be much less hatred and war in our world today.
Prayer: Lord, while it is easy to write words of hatred may we be compelled to face up to our disagreements. Bring peace and reconciliation to our world. Amen.
Who do you need to meet with face-to-face?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.