Life and Death on Social Media
By: Bill Abbate
Tags: Life Lessons, Christianity, Inspiration, Life, Christian Living

A word that always strikes me as strange when I hear it used or read about it is “tongue.” I still recall the first time I noticed the word in the title of a book I saw in a store. I was a new believer at the time, so I was unaware of many of the words Christians used.

It continues to sound a bit odd after these many years, yet it is such a powerful word when used in the right context.

How the tongue can affect your life

Perhaps I relate it to a part of our anatomy instead of the biblical meaning behind it. In a recent men’s group studying the book of James, a dentist friend mentioned the tongue weighs only about two and a half ounces! That doesn’t seem like much!

Nevertheless, there is a seriousness in this matter regarding the biblical meaning of the tongue in speaking to others. It continues to astound me how much power the tongue can wield. It is so powerful it can create life and death in other people’s lives! Scripture bears this out.

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” (Proverbs 18:21 NLT)

Whenever we speak to another person, we can literally speak life or death into their life. When we speak, it is serious business.

You never know how what you say to another person may affect their life. Think about some of the words people spoke to you when you were a child that continue to affect you as an adult.

When I was about five years old, an aunt gave me the nickname “little professor.” I took her words to heart in a positive way, and they continue to be part of how I define myself to this day!

Then there was the time when I was in an elementary school play and tripped going on stage. I remember thinking the whole world (my whole world at the time) saw me as a klutz. Although the word klutz was only in my mind, it haunted me for years, affecting my self-esteem negatively. It took me 20 years to finally overcome it.

Where my aunt spoke an encouraging word to me, I had inadvertently spoken a word of death into my life. Yes, there is serious power in the spoken word. Our tongue does bring forth life and death in ourselves and others.

Speaking life and death on social media

Recently I started thinking about how written words in today’s social media produce a similar effect to that of the spoken word. How many posts do you see that speak life or death to the people that read them? In addition to these written posts, which often contain images, are videos that again speak life or death into people’s lives.

Social media has become a powerful force in the world. Did you know nearly half of the world’s population or 3.6 billion people are on social media!

Hundreds of millions of people are said to be addicted to social media. Many people live for likes or comments of approval on their posts. Some on social media posts present a perfect, flawless life, displaying their wealth, while others reflect their absolute depravity. Social media, like life, contains good and evil.

Most of the forms of social media content are focused on the negative. In a recent study by Pew Research, 64% of Americans claim social media has a negative effect on how things are going in our country today. It makes sense when you factor in the often-quoted National Science Foundation study indicating the average person’s thoughts are 80% negative!

In the Bible, Jesus said:

“And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (Matthew 12:36–37 NLT)

Those are solemn words everyone should take into account. There is considerable debate in the church world as to whether we will face judgment day or not. I don’t want to take a chance, so I heed Jesus’ warning.

As a believer, I know my salvation is secure, and I believe as a follower of Christ, my faith shows up in my actions. I want my words to bring life, not death. I want my words to shine His light and not darkness. Jesus said:

“In the same way, let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV)

How do we let our light shine? By our actions. Our actions include not only what we do but what we say and write. Remember, Jesus is the light of the world, so when we lift Him up, darkness must flee, as darkness cannot exist in the light. No batteries required!

Final words

Remember, anyone can see practically everything you do on social media, so proceed with caution. Be informed, thoughtful, and respectful. Use social media to spread God’s love and not hate.

As Christians, we have the power to counteract some of the darkness and negativity in the world. Social media is a vast mission field in which we can serve our Lord.

We have barely scratched the surface in this short article. I challenge all of my fellow believers to consider the words they speak and write and continually study the bible to gain more of God’s wisdom and truth. Also, pray, pray, pray. God’s Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, will guide you into all truth.

I leave you with this final scripture to contemplate.