Christians are called to live, speak and act differently. We are meant to be salt and light. Having recently joined Twitter, I was considering how we should live and speak differently on social media. If Christ has died for you, how should you now tweet? Here are 15 rules, which I wrote for myself to follow and which you might find useful too.
Ignore the trolls
Because wise men listen to the right voices
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
Proverbs 12:15-16
but a wise man listens to advice.
The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult.
Tell the Truth
Because liars won’t last long
Truthful lips endure forever,
Proverbs 12:19
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Because lying is hated by God
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
Proverbs 12:22
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
Don’t believe everything you read
Because appearances can be deceiving
One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
Proverbs 13:7
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
Because you should put thought into your path
The simple believes everything,
Proverbs 14:15
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
Because there are two sides of every post and you only saw one of them
The one who states his case first seems right,
Proverbs 18:17
until the other comes and examines him.
Watch who you follow
Because you become like those you hang out with
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
Proverbs 13:20
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Because you will not learn wisdom from fools
Leave the presence of a fool,
Proverbs 14:7
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
Don’t let it interfere with real work
Because words alone do nothing
In all toil there is profit,
Proverbs 14:23
but mere talk tends only to poverty.
Be kind, gentle and calm
Because harshness begets harshness
A soft answer turns away wrath,
Proverbs 15:1
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Because it promotes flourishing
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
Proverbs 15:4
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit
Because patience calms conflict
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
Proverbs 15:18
but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
Because it is persuasive
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
Proverbs 16:23
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Be slow to respond
Because it is wise
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
Proverbs 17:27-28
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Listen to others more than you speak
Because only a fool doesn’t want to listen
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
Proverbs 18:2
but only in expressing his opinion.
Be witty and encouraging
Because it brings joy
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
Proverbs 15:23
and a word in season, how good it is!
Don’t gossip or spread attacks
Because it destroys relationship
Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
Proverbs 17:9
but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
Watch your words
Because words are powerful
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
Proverbs 18:21
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Because wise words heal and don’t hurt
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
Proverbs 12:18
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Don’t argue with fools
Because they won’t listen
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
Proverbs 23:9
for he will despise the good sense of your words.
Because you risk becoming like them
Answer not a fool according to his folly,
Proverbs 26:4
lest you be like him yourself.
(But wisdom knows there are exceptions to every rule)
Answer a fool according to his folly,
Proverbs 26:5
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Don’t be a braggart
Because your praise should come from others
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
Proverbs 27:2
a stranger, and not your own lips.
Make all the above part of who you are in Christ
Because your words should reflect your character
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;
Proverbs 17:7
still less is false speech to a prince.
Do it all for the Glory of God
Because he is the one who makes it count
Commit your work to the LORD,
Proverbs 16:3
and your plans will be established.