Secondly, facebook serves as a buffer between people and is therefore used as an excuse to be “honest” (ie, disregard the feelings of others). This is never right — if our words don’t fit into the description of love of 1 Cor. 13, then they shouldn’t be said, whether on or offline.

Scripture has a ton to say about language, and it applies to comments made online, as well as comments made face to face. In fact, a good rule of thumb is “if I wouldn’t say this in person to this person, then I shouldn’t say it to them or about them online!”

Good post.

As to the wreckless posting alluded to in the post; it seems quite obvious that there is enough of that to go around. Thanks again, Doug, for the post.

I don’t think I’d really disagree with the concern reflected in your comment. My focus was more on interpersonal, relational matters.

Doug

But, firstly, I not only agree that abusive and slanderous speech is sinful in the way highlighted, but I, myself, have been the perpetrator of said acts in the past and am still embarrassed about them and have not been able to make good of them. They are, rightly, my albatross in many ways.

However, is there not a place for clear rebuke relating to specific acts or consistent behavior? How can it be that we are to only address the issues, and not, correctly and publicly, connect persons with those ideas and/or acts which have become part of their persona? The same Paul who tells us to speak evil of no one, also enumerates evil committed against him and against the church of Christ in other passages.

Doug, if you are going to press Ephesians 4:29 into service outside the body of Christ, then do we not do as Paul did within and without the church in the secular realm?

One does not have to presume to be self righteous to say that certain things are right and certain things are wrong, and that certain acts are extremely foolish to the point of being dangerous and hurtful. We live in a political system which calls for, and is most effective when people to engage in open, rigorous debate. If “Submitting” means not doing that, or doing it in a way that is so opaque and limp that no one knows what you’re talking about, what’s the point?

I am not saying that persons here do this, I am saying that there have been a ton of “Christians aren’t nice enough” posts, which make unqualified statements about the necessity of “building up” to the apparent exclusion of any clear and zealous rebuke, which does not need to be slanderous or “evil” to cut to the foundation of the issue or the behavior.

I guess my biggest concern is that what seems to be missing from your assessment, Doug, is that there is a place for this criticism if it is not done ad hominem, and I feel that your, and others, concerns would be more helpful if you said that. What seems to be advocated here is if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say nothing at all. I don’t think that’s what you meant, but that’s how it comes across and, sadly, you wouldn’t be the only person saying it.

Thanks,

Jason

I am a FB friend with majority of my youth group and i can see, (monitor) if you will, their spiritual progress through the daily reading of FB updates, and I can influence them as well on the same level. I know who is wasting their time playing “Mafia Wars” and “Farm Will”, I can read about their free time, their B-day parties etc.

I love the common Grace of the FaceBook, and I think that we should chanel it in the right way to get more good out of it.

Bless you all.

P.S my FB name pavelmarchenko