The internet is everywhere; the online sphere feels like real life, and social media has become our primary means of communication with the world. This is the new world we live in, and it’s one we engage with constantly. However, that doesn’t mean we do it perfectly; I definitely haven’t. This is a reflective post on the mistakes I made along the way when engaging online.
1. Assumed That Engaging Online Is the Same as in Person
The wonders of technology do allow pseudo-instant communication.
There was a time when I would engage and talk to people online as if we were in the same room, having an in-person conversation. Don’t get me wrong. The wonders of technology do allow pseudo-instant communication around the world, and it has been a boon of note to society. But it isn’t the same as being in the same physical space. So much of communication occurs through body language, with vocal signatures as well, that impact the meaning and tone of what we say, which is simply lost on a blue screen.
2. Assumed Someone Was a Christian
This may sound odd, but it’s more general than just being online. But it’s very easy to assume that someone is a Christian if you seem to be on the same side of an argument or debate online, only to be caught out later. Just as in the pew as in the cyberspace: not everyone around me believes what I do; and it has caused some awkward moments to make that assumption.
3. Assumed Someone Wasn’t a Christian
On the flip side, there have been times when interesting topics or discussions were happening—or I was tagged in something to respond—and I assumed the person was trying to trap me in a response because I believed them not to be a Christian. I assumed that their ‘digital fruit’ was directly correlated with their spiritual fruit, and so responded as if I were engaging with non-Christians.
4. Got Emotional and Responded Emotionally
This is an easy mistake to make. It’s one I still make; and one that I also make in person. While emotions are part of being human and are not inherently bad, becoming overly emotional when interacting with others and responding out of that can lead to poor witness for the Lord.
5. Engaged Inappropriately at a Bad Time
This one has happened in person and on the Internet. An event happens in someone’s life—or something occurs on the national or international stage—and in comes the Christian to make some poorly-timed comments or share something deeply unwise in the moment. It’s not necessarily that what was being said wasn’t true; it’s just that it wasn’t the most helpful or loving thing to say in a situation.
6. Posted Controversial Things Without Context
Sometimes, those of us who are young and foolish—although only the latter now applies to me—behave in such a way and think that we are being ‘thinkers’ and modern day philosophers, when in reality we’re just posting silly or outright outrageous things expecting some thoughtful and clever engagement. Thankfully, wiser and older Christians see these things and pull us aside after church one day and suggest that we maybe refrain from being controversial for no reason.
7. Believed Everything I Saw and Read Online
Think on whatever is good, true, noble and holy.
Now this one is a tough one. There is a lot of good content on the Internet, and some Christian ministries do their online presence well. But not everything is true out there. It can easily be summarised by the now popular phrase, “fake news.” The real problem, however, is that it can be incredibly convincing, and one thing leads to another on the Internet; before you know it, it’s 3am, and you’re watching some wildly unhinged people saying outlandish things, and you believe it. This is why Paul encourages us to think on whatever is good, true, noble and holy, and to be reflective in our thinking (Philippians 4:8).
8. Spoke on Behalf of Others
Honestly, this one has happened more times than I can count in person and online; and it’s something that more reveals the character behind some of my earlier points. When we make assumptions about others, we tend to speak on their behalf, even if it’s just internally. However, I’m talking about putting people in positions online that they don’t believe in or hold to. This has made myself, others, and the gospel look foolish.
9. Dismissed Opportunities for Real Engagement
One of the things that does happen is that, on the rare occasion, a true opportunity for real engagement and interaction around the gospel does come up. And the worst thing for a Christian to do in that moment is to dismiss it and scroll away, believing it to be a trap, nonsense or just someone being emotional.
True opportunities for real engagement around the gospel do come up.
One particular incident comes to mind. Someone asked a fairly popular American fundamentalist what should members of a certain group do with the gospel. Instead of responding with Mark 1:15, “Repent and believe the good news,” he responded with something more violent and anti-Christian. Gospel opportunities do happen, rarer than a blue moon, and we should be wise not to squander them.
10. Dismissed the Internet as Something to Avoid
Finally, there have been times I’ve completely avoided the Internet and social media as tools of the evil one, only and completely irredeemable and useless for spiritual fruit. However, this isn’t true. If it is true that God reigns over all history and that all things come to pass because he allows them, then it must be true that the Internet can be a tool for good; a tool for sharing the gospel and proclaiming the good news that the Lord has died and risen again.
God reigns over all things, so it must be true that the Internet can be a tool for good.
My friends, this has been a quick reflection on some mistakes and missteps I’ve made when using the Internet for engaging others online. I hope this has been helpful, even if you now merely know what to avoid.
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