Seven questions to ask yourself before posting

Matthias · Feb 1, 2025

From my X / Twitter “For you” feed this morning.

“Social media is a battleground for opinions and controversies. Believers often find themselves compelled to offer their perspectives and opinions into various debates. It’s crucial for believers to pause and reflect, ensuring that their contributions are not only thoughtful but also reflect the character of Christ.

Here are 7 questions to ask yourself before posting:

1. Is this controversy worth engaging in, or is it a distraction from more important matters? (2 Timothy 2:23-24)

2. Will my involvement reflect Christ’s love and lead to edification? (Eph 4:29)

3. Have I sought God’s guidance and wisdom in this matter? (James 1:5)

4. Is my motive to glorify God or to win an argument? (1 Cor 10:31)

5. Am I prepared to respond with gentleness and respect? (1 Pet 3:15)

6. Am I acting out of love or out of emotion? (1 Cor 13:1-2)

7. How does my engagement represent the Gospel to non-believers? (Col 4:5-6)

x.com

I think that’s a pretty good checklist. Are there any other questions we should be asking ourselves before we post?

Simonides · Feb 1, 2025

Bob · Feb 1, 2025

Thank you for your persuasive list.

Note: often, on X, I may choose to view the comments on a dishonest post. These precepts should also apply when deciding to support those comments favorably or not at all.

By the way, Jesus also called out specific groups as hypocrites. (“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!”) It is so tempting to write the same on some of the worst posts, but that would be yielding to raw emotion.

Peace.

Matthias · Feb 25, 2025

A little over three weeks later and it looks like either a paucity of members are asking or their answers are concerning. I have, however, noticed a few exceptions. That’s encouraging. Good on them.

APAK · Feb 25, 2025

Matthias said:
From my X / Twitter “For you” feed this morning.

“Social media is a battleground for opinions and controversies. Believers often find themselves compelled to offer their perspectives and opinions into various debates. It’s crucial for believers to pause and reflect, ensuring that their contributions are not only thoughtful but also reflect the character of Christ.

Here are 7 questions to ask yourself before posting:

1. Is this controversy worth engaging in, or is it a distraction from more important matters? (2 Timothy 2:23-24)

2. Will my involvement reflect Christ’s love and lead to edification? (Eph 4:29)

3. Have I sought God’s guidance and wisdom in this matter? (James 1:5)

4. Is my motive to glorify God or to win an argument? (1 Cor 10:31)

5. Am I prepared to respond with gentleness and respect? (1 Pet 3:15)

6. Am I acting out of love or out of emotion? (1 Cor 13:1-2)

7. How does my engagement represent the Gospel to non-believers? (Col 4:5-6)

x.com

x.com

I think that’s a pretty good checklist. Are there any other questions we should be asking ourselves before we post?

My view of your list Mat:

#1. Controversies, are by their nature the nut to crack open and expose for God's gain, and it's worth it, many times
#2. Reflecting God's love is one thing and the goal, although edification is purely an unknown element. It will rattle the conscience at least.
#3. Guidance with wisdom is sometimes completed over days and weeks, or spontaneously from the Spirit.
#4. Glorification of God is the goal. Winning a fight is short-lived and vain with a shake of ignorance at times
#5. Prepare to be civil and kind is one thing, although there are scoundrels with intentions of only causing mischief or wrecking the place. They must be dealt with accordingly, and taking no prisoners at times.
#6. Love and care, with the best intentions and not in emotion, at least in generating the thread....can tie in closely with #5.
#7. It most certainly reflects my take on the gospel when applicable, to all others. I don't beat around the bush much.

.......#8. I like to at times, generate threads just to assess and analyze as a trial balloon, to get a reaction, to know my audience, friend or foe, on what turn folks on or off...

Matthias · Feb 25, 2025

APAK said:
My view of your list Mat:

#1. Controversies, are by their nature the nut to crack open and expose for God's gain, and it's worth it, many times
#2. Reflecting God's love is one thing and the goal, although edification is purely an unknown element. It will rattle the conscience at least.
#3. Guidance with wisdom is some sometimes over days and weeks, or spontaneous from the Spirit.
#4. Glorification of God is the goal. Winning a fight is short-lived and vain with a shake of ignorance at times
#5. Prepare to be civil and kind is one thing, although there are scoundrels with intentions of only causing mischief or wrecking the place. They must be dealt with accordingly, and taking no prisoners at times.
#6. Love and care, with the best intentions and not in emotion, at least in generating the thread....can tie in closely with #5.
#7. It most certainly reflects my take on the gospel when applicable, to all others. I don't beat around the bush much.

.......#8. I like to at times, generate threads just to assess and analyze as a trial balloon, to get a reaction, to know my audience, friend or foe, on what turn folks on or off...

My take: many people talk about the golden rule but don’t live it.

Returning evil for good is an all too common discussion forum behavior, even among those who claim to be Christian. Jesus will sort it out when he returns.

APAK · Feb 25, 2025

Matthias said:
My take: many people talk about the golden rule but don’t live it.

That should be your list entry. That would be mine anyway. And that is not only to speak or even boast of it as a personal or prized slogan, but also to live by and to do, every day.

Glen55 · Mar 1, 2025

Are you still weak soul need outside secular persons just legends your mind tales parabolic you experience them all being I AM all things blinded as man flesh body hast to sleep and never sleep is eternal timelessness twinkle your mind in skull sprouts ONE SEED in your mind then you wake Christ your pattern not flesh just one outside themself only one IN you.

Stumpmaster · Mar 1, 2025

Glen55 said:
Are you still weak soul need outside secular persons just legends your mind tales parabolic you experience them all being I AM all things blinded as man flesh body hast to sleep and never sleep is eternal timelessness twinkle your mind in skull sprouts ONE SEED in your mind then you wake Christ your pattern not flesh just one outside themself only one IN you.

It's not a good idea to mock others, so I'm glad Christians edify, nurture, love, inspire, give, help, encourage, nurse, and serve with wisdom as the Holy Spirit guides and provides.

Matthias · Mar 16, 2025

8. Would what I’m thinking about posting violate any of the Board rules?

JohnDB · Mar 16, 2025

9. Is what I'm posting seasoned with enough humor to be read as thought provoking AND humorous all at the same time. If not can I edit myself enough to make it that way?

Matthias · Apr 4, 2025

JohnDB · Apr 4, 2025

Matthias said:
From my X / Twitter “For you” feed this morning.

“Social media is a battleground for opinions and controversies. Believers often find themselves compelled to offer their perspectives and opinions into various debates. It’s crucial for believers to pause and reflect, ensuring that their contributions are not only thoughtful but also reflect the character of Christ.

Here are 7 questions to ask yourself before posting:

1. Is this controversy worth engaging in, or is it a distraction from more important matters? (2 Timothy 2:23-24)

2. Will my involvement reflect Christ’s love and lead to edification? (Eph 4:29)

3. Have I sought God’s guidance and wisdom in this matter? (James 1:5)

4. Is my motive to glorify God or to win an argument? (1 Cor 10:31)

5. Am I prepared to respond with gentleness and respect? (1 Pet 3:15)

6. Am I acting out of love or out of emotion? (1 Cor 13:1-2)

7. How does my engagement represent the Gospel to non-believers? (Col 4:5-6)

x.com

x.com

I think that’s a pretty good checklist. Are there any other questions we should be asking ourselves before we post?

Let me add a couple more in order of no real importance....

1) Can I annoy Mark's or Matthias (or anyone really) with my reply?

2) is my reply going to inspire smirks or laughter?

3) will my reply make others look through the scriptures for themselves?

4) Is what I'm responding with probably new information to the person I'm talking with....if "yes" then I need to expect a disparaging reply.

There we go....a few new ones from my list.

RLT63 · Apr 4, 2025

Matthias said:
From my X / Twitter “For you” feed this morning.

“Social media is a battleground for opinions and controversies. Believers often find themselves compelled to offer their perspectives and opinions into various debates. It’s crucial for believers to pause and reflect, ensuring that their contributions are not only thoughtful but also reflect the character of Christ.

Here are 7 questions to ask yourself before posting:

1. Is this controversy worth engaging in, or is it a distraction from more important matters? (2 Timothy 2:23-24)

2. Will my involvement reflect Christ’s love and lead to edification? (Eph 4:29)

3. Have I sought God’s guidance and wisdom in this matter? (James 1:5)

4. Is my motive to glorify God or to win an argument? (1 Cor 10:31)

5. Am I prepared to respond with gentleness and respect? (1 Pet 3:15)

6. Am I acting out of love or out of emotion? (1 Cor 13:1-2)

7. How does my engagement represent the Gospel to non-believers? (Col 4:5-6)

x.com

x.com

I think that’s a pretty good checklist. Are there any other questions we should be asking ourselves before we post?

8. How much time do I have left before my wife gets home?

Matthias · Apr 11, 2025

FredVB · Apr 11, 2025

These approaches are all good for general practice in communication with any others. Media has done well in places to have users forget ways to speak with each other that they would have with any in person, and there is negative reinforcement that grows.

I am on X too, I have the profile Fred Bquick, and I use it pretty much just to share messages about God, for reminders to followers, and bringing attention to God in responding to others.

Matthias · Friday at 5:12 PM

https://x.com/readswithravi/status/1913240141168062570?s=61

Nancy · Friday at 5:43 PM

Matthias said:
View attachment 60991

Had to give this a trophy, going to copy and paste this to my computer as some wonderful reminders!

Matthias · 2025-04-21T16:20:21-0500

Seven questions to ask yourself before posting

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads