Ever feel the need to vent, air out, let off some steam? On Facebook? Or any other social network for that matter? Not too burst your bubble, but your dirty laundry doesn’t belong on Facebook. It simply is not the place to tell someone off, describe how much you loath another person, place or thing. There is enough trash that fills up the newsfeed that we don’t need to read about your negativity and poor perspective on life, humanity, etc.
17 So I’m telling you this, and I insist on it in the Lord: you shouldn’t live your life like the Gentiles anymore. They base their lives on pointless thinking, 18 and they are in the dark in their reasoning. They are disconnected from God’s life because of their ignorance and their closed hearts. 19 They are people who lack all sense of right and wrong, and who have turned themselves over to doing whatever feels good and to practicing every sort of corruption along with greed.20 But you didn’t learn that sort of thing from Christ. 21 Since you really listened to him and you were taught how the truth is in Jesus, 22 change the former way of life that was part of the person you once were, corrupted by deceitful desires. 23 Instead, renew the thinking in your mind by the Spirit 24 and clothe yourself with the new person created according to God’s image in justice and true holiness.25 Therefore, after you have gotten rid of lying, Each of you must tell the truth to your neighbor because we are parts of each other in the same body. 26 Be angry without sinning. Don’t let the sun set on your anger. 27 Don’t provide an opportunity for the devil. 28 Thieves should no longer steal. Instead, they should go to work, using their hands to do good so that they will have something to share with whoever is in need.29 Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say. 30 Don’t make the Holy Spirit of God unhappy—you were sealed by him for the day of redemption. 31 Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. 32 Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.
Often times I think some people really just don’t know what they are doing because of being blinded by their complaint, lies or anger. But there are those who constantly post negativity, slander, gripes and more. Typically, I don’t follow or have those people show up in my newsfeeds because I don’t want to see it. Sometimes it has to do with sports, politics or theology. All of which passionate people can flourish on those subjects on a ranting pace. But honestly, the negative Nancy’s aren’t the one’s who I have a problem with. It’s the ones who air out dirty laundry.
One of my biggest social media etiquette pet peeves are parents complaining about their kids, spouses bashing their other half and Christians complaining about this and that.
I can’t stand it when a mom or dad gets on Facebook and blurts out how much they can’t take their kids anymore, how misbehaved they are or anything along those lines. Step back for a minute and realize what you are doing! You’re belittling the biggest gift God has given you! Stop treating them as if they are a burden or inconvenience. Think about it, years down the road let’s say your kid decide to look you up on the internet and finds the horrible things you have said about them TO THE PUBLIC. How do you think they would feel if they saw that you thought they were so much of a pain to be around? I don’t think it would go over so well.
Stop using Facebook as a personal diary or journal.
The same goes for you married folks. Social media newsfeeds is not the place to belittle your husband or wife. I don’t care how much they ticked you off, how gross one is or even if one completely wrongs you in the harshest of ways. It. Is. Not. The. Place. When I see a spouse on Facebook making fun of or complaining about their loved one, it grieves me because it is so unhealthy to treat the marriage like that. Respect and honor must be maintained in every aspect of our lives, including how we portray the one we said we would never betray and remain faithful to. Smearing your spouse on Facebook is hurtful and weakens intimacy. Some matters need to stay between the two and not to be displays for the world to see.
I’m married and have kids. Life isn’t always peachy and a bed of roses. There are obstacles, bad times and frustrating moments. But again, if you haven’t gotten the picture by now, social media is not the place to air out your’s or anyone else’s dirty laundry.
As Christian my goal to represent Christ. Plain and simple. The activity I post on social media needs to reflect His image. Which leads me to one last point.
One the biggest #facepalm or #SMH moments on Facebook is when I see a proclaiming Christian post spiritual content and in the same breath complain about this and that. And normally it is about how their kids are so difficult or how their husband is such a jerk. You’re sending quite the mixed message. Not too mention political rants or sports.
Well, let’s mention that for a minute. I’m a Gators and Tebow fan that lives in Alabama. Needless to say I not in Gator country and I brush shoulders with many haters. To keep this short, back when Tebow was playing for the Gators and when we beat Bama, I heard Christians say things like how much they are tired of hearing about his testimony. Their hatred superseded someone’s Christian testimony! So many posts about their hatred towards Tebow and ignoring the amazing platform Tebow has on a national level to share God’s love with those whom many cannot reach by our own means. It’s one thing to love sports and it’s another to hate someone because of sports.
Social media can be used for so much better things. It’s a mission field. Social media is part of so many lives and we as Christians needs to use it for the good, not for the bad. As mentioned before, there is already enough negativity flooding our newsfeed, why add more? Especially about your loved ones.
Apart from your loved ones, it is still not the place to air out or discuss matters about your enemies. It doesn’t matter how badly you have been treated. It doesn’t do any good to talk trash, spread rumors or slander another person. If there is that deep of a problem seek out advice from a wise person and seek out the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Personally, I don’t even like to post any negative content at all. That includes if my day is bad, if I’m feeling sick or if I dislike something in the slightest bit. The grey area might be asking for prayer, but even then I’d prefer to keep those requests on a face-to-face level.
My intent was not to rant and rave about social media etiquette but to hopefully give a wake call that it is time to change the way we as proclaiming Christians handle ourselves on social media. We need to be an example online. The world is watching us. Even if you’re not a Christian, this still applies to you. How do you want to be viewed as? Reputation does mean something. Do you want to looked at as the mom that complains about their kids more than praises them? Do you want to be the spouse that can’t keep their mouth shut about every detail of their significant other?
I’d like to leave you with a challenge. Be considerate of others. Use one of the oldest golden rules, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Start to transform your perspective. Find the good. Praise publicly. Confront privately.
If you feel the need to talk about an issue, then do so in a loving manner that does not include Facebook or any other social media platform. If you need a mediator, ask your pastor, parent or friend. Take the issue to the Lord. Ask for wisdom and guidance. There are counselors who would love to help. Talk to me, I’m available and would much rather you talk it out than blast someone with words that cannot be taken back.
