Screenshots. Tweets. Group Texts. Posts. Snaps. The usage and types of messaging and social media are endless. See if this scenario resonates with you at all? Cindy looks down at her phone and realizes she has a new message. She opens it up to see that Jasmine and Carly are also included in the message. The message is not really a message at all. It’s a screenshot from Facebook from Darla’s recent post.
The wording below the picture is,
“Can you believe she would say that?” (Of course, there would be no grammatical correctness
or punctuation.) Then the messages continue between the group while each girl now puts in their input, their screenshots, and their memes. Or maybe Tracy has posted a quote on her Instagram page and now you have to know if there is any hidden message based on the
information you heard shared in the office break room yesterday. So, you quickly text a co- worker and ask, “Do you think she is implying what we think she is implying?”
In the book of James, the entire essence of chapter 3 is dealing with the dangers and effects of the tongue. The last part includes the issues that arise from jealousy and selfish ambition in comparison to God’s wisdom.
In James 3:5-10 it states, “In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, ‘this is not right”.
Yes, the tongue has that much power. And now, unfortunately our thumb has that much power, too. The tongue and thumb can destroy lives. Teens and adults alike use social media to spread gossip, stir drama, and cause unnecessary harm through perceptions and assumptions. Our world today makes it easier than ever to spread gossip. In past centuries people would at least have to wait until they congregated together to discuss issues. Now, it is as easy as picking up our device and contacting someone. Nowadays many even have a perverse desire for drama and gossip, as people spend hours scrolling on social media seeing if they can find an issue to insert themselves into.
Why have we as Christians excused gossip for so long? Myself included. Why do we place so much emphasis on certain sins, but allow gossip to be defended. Gossip sometimes even disguises itself as prayer requests. If the situation is not yours to share with others, then you should pray for that issue, but not pass it along for others to “pray for.” Gossip can be easily defined as talking to someone who is not part of the problem or cannot be part of the immediate solution. We probably just need to stop talking.
Christians, let’s take a stand against gossip, both verbally and electronically. Refuse to initiate it and refuse to participate in it. Let’s work on taming our tongues and our thumbs! Pray that God will give you strength to refrain from posting, creating group messages, and screenshotting information. If others place you in that situation, politely excuse yourself from the message.
This blog was written by Amy Carrico: Author of Making the Moments Matter Blog
Last Updated on March 28, 2024
Thank you for reminding us about gossip. That is a common sin that so many of us fall into a trap concerning others. I am sure that i could be put in that category at times. It is something we all need to work on. Happy Resurrection Day! God Bless you and your family!