5 Questions to Ask Before You Post

Do social media posts enflame you? Do you share the flame? Want some peace? Snuff out the flame.

Philippians gives us an idea about what our focus should be. Chapter 4 verse 8-9 says to think on these things, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, whatever is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Put it into practice and the God of peace will be with you.”

Over the past few weeks, I have written over 5000 words about the happenings and direction of the country. I’m not sure if they will ever see the light of day because I always ask myself these questions before I publish my posts.

1. Are these thoughts keeping fuel on a fire that no one will ever agree with anyway? (I don’t kid myself. Even Biblical principles are very inflammatory. Truth is very hard for some people even though it is the Truth.)
2. Am I saying what so many others have said?
3. Am I quarreling with words? (Thinking through a heavenly perspective while debating a worldly one is of no use what so ever. No one sees eye to eye when comparing apples and oranges!)
4. Are my words going to give the haters reason to share more of their hate? 
5. Will my words encourage or enflame? (I’m certain I have many posts that both encourage and enflame. I DO feel many emotions and write about them, however, I tend to share the encouraging ones the most because #1, #2, #3, and #4.)

On an episode of Bones, a man has a radio frequency where he spouted hate about people, government, rules, religion, media etc. He says he is using his right to free speech. When another man listening took all the hate to heart, he blew up someone with a bomb. The man who had the radio frequency examined his heart and his words and concluded that he was actually the one who was responsible for the man’s death. He knew he was not the one who pressed the button for the fatal blow, but he knew his hate was like fuel on the fire. He knew if he had not broadcasted the hate, the dead man might be alive spending Christmas with his mom.

Examine your heart like this man. People have personalities. Are you an encourager? Are you an instigator? Are you passive aggressive? Are you a peacemaker? Are you a comforter? Are you a complainer? Do you always focus on the bad, terrible, no good side of life? What was Jesus?

What do you broadcast with your facial expression, your words, your actions, your silence and your FB page? Like the man with the radio, we need to examine ourselves. We will not be judged for another person’s actions, but we will give an account for our roll in those actions and the attitude of our own heart towards them. 

I’m going on vacation soon and I am unfollowing some very negative people for a while on my trip. I want to think of lovely, admirable and praiseworthy things while in God’s magnificent mountains. I know I will be inspired to write some marvelous posts. 

Blessings and Happy, Happy posting…literally.