“If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

–Pastor John Hagee

If we didn’t verbally tell people we were Christians, how else would they know? The Bible says they will know us by our love (John 13:35). That means people (should) see it in what we do – not by what we label ourselves or proclaim to be.

We label ourselves in many ways, and in today’s world, a major part of that is on Social Media. Whether or not you have your relationship status set to ‘Married to Jesus’ or your religion listed as Christian or some affiliate, would people believe it by what you say and post?

If your status was hidden, would there be enough evidence otherwise to convict you of being a Christian?

We live in a digital age. Some of the most incriminating evidence used in courtrooms today is what people post online. It’s much easier to prove something with a digital trail, written in black and white, as opposed to words just being spoken or hearsay, which is usually not admissible. Once it’s ‘out there’, it’s nearly impossible to remove it completely. What we post online is visual evidence of what we say, do, believe, and more.

We are called to be like Christ and be a light in every aspect of our lives. Colossians 3:12 says:

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.”

This should includes our online presence. Our lives are like letters to be read:

“Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.”

(2 Corinthians 3:3).

These letters of our lives should be of good report. We must be cautious what we allow into our hearts because it will pour out.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

(Luke 6:45).

So, what are we pouring out online?

Ephesians 4:29 says,

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary ^[h]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Although this Scripture is referencing spoken words, I think the verse still applies. It continues,

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. .

(Ephesians 4:30-32)

We are seeing people “cancelled” for what they have said online. It’s important for us as Christians to be mindful what we virtually say and post. It can be our greatest witness or our greatest downfall. Not every thought that runs through our heads needs to run out our fingertips. Words – whether spoken or typed – have the power to destroy people. Let us take captive every thought – every post and every comment – before we are the reason someone cancels Christ in their life.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Instead, may all that we say, do, post, like, upload, follow, and comment reflect Christ. The internet can be a dark place and gives us a platform to let our lights shine.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

If we want the entirety of our online profiles to reflect Christ and be evident of what we claim to believe beyond just the “religious status” we have designated, I pray that the writings on our walls is that of which the Bible tells us to focus on:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8