Many time in families, friend groups, churches, communities, and among coworkers, people disagree with each other. Sometimes the disagreement relates to a specific religious position or practice, some type of personal preference, or a matter of personal opinion. Because of that, the question arises, “What do we do when we disagree with each other?”

If you disagree with someone, consider the following three principles:

Have you been on Twitter recently? Some have referred to it as a “dumpster fire.” I do not disagree. As I observe various brothers and sisters-in-Christ engage each other online, my heart grieves as they seemingly fail to love God and each other well. Their words and attitude tell a different story than what they formally say they believe.

Of course, indecorous speech is not only limited to Twitter. Facebook users, podcast producers, and YouTube streamers get in on the action as well.

Every Christian on social media of any kind must wise up, fess up, and stand up for what explicitly loves God and each other. The long-term effect of what is happening now leads down a dangerous road littered with warning signs.

 

Jesus’ Challenge to the Disciples

In a very intimate time with His disciples, Jesus gives His final words before His death on the cross. He begins and ends this time with these two incredibly important thoughts:

1. They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another.
   ^“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

2. They will know you are my disciples by your unity with one another.
   ^“That they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And the glory which you gave me I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one: I in them, and you in me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them as you have loved” (John 17:21-23).

Love and unity function as the two pivotal qualities for one-another interactions that positively declare the truth, power, and reliability of the gospel to an unbelieving world.

 

The Sin of Social Media

If I type these words with added spaces, will you read them slowly for emphasis and effect?

L  O  V  E

and

U  N  I  T  Y

What is the main sin of social media by followers of Jesus Christ? A failure to demonstrate love and unity in Jesus Christ.

Just go to Twitter and other social media if you want to see what this failure looks and sounds like.

 

Why Is This a Problem?

• Followers of Christ essentially teach the world that the gospel is powerless.
  Unbelievers, at times, demonstrate love and unity toward each other (though it is self-centered, Christ-less) better than many so-called Christians online. Essentially, our actions speak louder than our words, saying, “Following Jesus does nothing to help me love and demonstrate kindness toward those I perceive as my enemy. The gospel does not have the power to enable me to show love and kindness when I disagree with another person.”
• Followers of Christ minimize the importance of the body of Christ.
  God provided all His sons and daughters unity in the Spirit through Christ’s work on the cross (cf., Eph 2:14-18). He provided a community for spiritual growth, encouragement, mutual care, and loving protection. When followers of Christ fail to demonstrate oneness in Christ and love for one another, they deflate the purposes and benefits of God’s work inside the community of Christ.
• Followers of Christ choose the wisdom from below over wisdom from above.
  Wisdom from above produces peace; whereas, wisdom from below produces confusion and every evil practice. This is seen all over social media. What does this look and sound like? Consider what James asks, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have” (James 4:1-2). His answer: followers of Christ lust. They want what they want more than what God wants. They want to win the argument, get their way, or make their point. For what reason? Lust, idolatry, and pride.

 

Do You Understand the Significance of This?

Oh friends, we must do better. The behavior of many fellow believers on social media is minimizing the very gospel itself.

When Peter sinned against the Gentiles in Antioch, Paul confronted him to his face. Although Peter was an apostle, Paul could not ignore Peter’s behavior since it had implications toward the very gospel itself. Is our situation any different now? Our interactions on social media with each other—to the extent it hinders the work of the gospel and fails to honor Christ and the body of Christ—obstructs and impedes the gospel. Friends, we must withstand each other privately, graciously, and steadfastly.

 

Where Do We Go From Here?

First, we must recommit ourselves individually and corporately to the value and importance of building up the body of Christ. Each one of us bears responsibility here. The privilege of being in the body of Christ came with the highest cost in world history— the life of Jesus Christ. His work on the cross produced the body we enjoy.

Second, we must discern our motives in a particular post or interaction. What makes our point of view necessary? Why do we believe it is essential to post, respond, or add an opinion? In this post, do we seek to honor Christ and demonstrate love for a fellow follower of Jesus Christ or something different?

Third, when our motive for posting on social media does honor the Lord, we must then evaluate whether our words, timing, attitude, and opinion also honor the Lord. Do our thoughts, attitude, words, and actions promote the unity of the body of Christ? Are we actively loving our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ through our use of social media? What about unbelievers?

Fourth, we must proactively seek to demonstrate kindness, compassion, grace, and encouragement to others in the body of Christ. Choose to act and not react. Share verses, insight, and observations that intentionally and explicitly build up the body of Christ.

Fifth, we must be committed to contacting people privately, humbly, gently, and graciously as we believe someone needs it. At times, a public statement or rebuke may be necessary. But notice: not every time and may be necessary. Friends, a calm, well-delivered, and gracious word creates the opportunity for better conversations between family members in the body of Christ.

Every keystroke, response, and reaction is important. It matters inside the body of Christ, and it matters for those outside the body of Christ.

 

Questions for Reflection

1. Do your interactions on social media help or hinder the gospel?
2. Will you look through your recent social media interaction to determine your functional social media theology?
3. Will you determine to do your part to support the body of Christ through your use of social media?