As I look at posts on Facebook and watch the 24 hour news cycle, it occurs to me that truth, wisdom and discretion have been jettisoned in this current culture. Repeating untruths and sensationalized assumptions, while vomiting out vitriol and hatefulness is even dividing people who were once able to have simple amiable conversations about life.

I have personally removed individuals from my Facebook page due to their rants and raves based in foul language, and false information. I struggle not to correct people whom I care for deeply, as I see their choice of ideology supersede their professed belief in God. Everyday I see foolish comments, ideas and proclamations spewed on social media. Very often this foolish diatribe is simple parroting of what has been seen or said on cable news. Many of the stories cited are either blatantly untrue or are spun in such a fashion as to seem other than what really happened.

Solomon spends quite a few verses in Proverbs addressing words of wisdom and word of foolishness. Here is a sample.

“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. (Prov.17:27-28)

Why are we so beligerent today? Why do we feign indignation over half truths an misconceptions while jumping into the war of words and opinions that whirl around us? Why is anger, vitriol and diarrhea of the mouth the first response to something that seems to disagree with our take on the world? Why are racism, bigotry, and whatever phobia can be sited, the kneejerk response with which dissenters from our opinions charge us?

We have been given two ears and one mouth. We need to listen more and speak less. Not everyone’s opinion is either valid or useful to the collective. Christians especially should follow scripture when speaking or responding on social media.

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Eph. 4:26)

“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive, so that you will have the right response for everyone.” (Colossians 4:6)

Choose wisdom and you will never look like or act like a fool.

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