[427 words]
• I keep a low profile on social media, but I am present there. Below is the pledge I have taken to govern my use of it. I invite you to take it, too.
• I will post, comment, and otherwise utilize social media with complete awareness that the all-seeing eye of God is monitoring my accounts (Heb. 4:13; Psa. 139:1-12), and I will answer to Him for how I use them (2 Cor. 5:9-10).
• I will use my influence, modest though it may be, to build up and encourage (Rom. 14:19), not tear down and destroy (Gal. 5:15).
• I will use social media to reach out with the good news of Jesus (Rom. 1:16) and shine the light of God’s word on relevant life issues (Psa. 119:105), knowing that the power of God is present in His word (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
• I will use social media to dispense the helpful medicine of laughter (Prov. 17:22).
• I will limit the time I spend on social media so that it does not encroach on my daily time with God (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:2).
• I will not post or comment while angry (Eph. 4:26). I will measure my words carefully, which may mean my responses to others will be delayed (Prov. 15:28).
• I will give the benefit of any doubt to one who posts a comment that could be taken more than one way. I will choose the positive until hard facts force me to do otherwise (1 Cor. 13:7). Everyone makes mistakes in communication (James 3:2).
• I will not air dirty laundry on social media – neither mine, my family’s, or the church’s (Prov. 25:9).
• I will not waste time discussing matters that I do not believe are profitable, or with people that I do not believe are reasonable (1 Tim. 6:4-5; 2 Tim. 2:14, 23).
• I will pursue peace with everyone (Heb. 12:14), as much as depends on me (Rom. 12:18); but I will not allow trolls, nitpickers, quibblers, slanderers, or pugnacious people to have a voice in my feed (Titus 3:9- 11; Col. 4:6; 2 Tim. 2:23-26).
• I will utilize social media in a way that exhibits the Holy Spirit’s fruit (Gal. 5:22-23), not the flesh’s works (Gal. 5:19-21).
• If I ever post or comment out of harmony with the word of God, I will admit it, repent, and seek the pardon of those affected by it (Matt. 3:8; 2 Cor. 7:10).
Eddie Parrish
Brown Trail church of Christ
Bedford, TX