"What principles should guide Christians as they interact online?" By Nathan Busenitz in Pulpit Magazine
(By Nathan Busenitz)
The question we are seeking to answer is: What principles should guide
Christians as they interact online?
Speak the Truth in Love
In Ephesians 4:15, Paul tells his readers to speak the truth in love. There are
two important applications of this passage as it relates to Christian
communication (both online and off). These are basic points from the verse, but
they are equally important: First, we are to speak the truth. Second, we are to
do so in a way that is characterized by love.
The context of Paul’s instruction centers around doctrinal issues (in v. 14),
and is directly applicable to the edification of fellow believers (in v. 16). We
are to speak the truth, then, in contrast to the falsehood of erroneous
doctrine; and we are to do so in love, for the purpose of building up the body
of Christ.
Speaking the truth addresses the content of what we say. We are to be those who
guard, echo, and uphold the truth. That means there will also be times when we
need to confront error, as we contend earnestly for the faith. As those who
speak the truth, we will necessarily expose falsehood.
Biblical love is courageous and forthright when it needs to be. But it is also
characterized by gentleness, patience, and kindness. It is this type of
steadfast yet gracious love that we should pursue in our blogging efforts.
Speaking the truth in love addresses the way in which we speak. We must not be
obnoxious with the truth, or personally offensive in how we approach others.
Rather, we are called to communicate truth in such a way that the body of Christ
is edified. Our words, especially when aimed at fellow believers, must be
characterized by biblical love.
When we speak of love, we are not suggesting that we should ignore error or
blindly tolerate “every wind of doctrine.” Not at all. Biblical love “does not
rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6). In fact,
the writers of the NT reserved their harshest criticisms for those who would
promote false doctrine (Matt. 23:13–26; Gal. 1:6–9; 2 Peter 2; 1 John 2:18–24;
Jude). Biblical love demands that we protect fellow believers from what we know
to be potential threats and dangerous trends (cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 6:20; 2
Tim. 1:14; Titus 1:9–11; 2 Peter 3:17; 1 John 5:21).
Yet, at the same time, biblical love is also patient, kind, humble, selfless,
and not-easily provoked (1 Cor. 13:4-5). It is a sincere love (1 Pet. 1:22; Rom.
12:9) that is characterized by the phrase: “If possible, so far as it depends on
you, be at peace with all men” (Rom. 12:18). It exhibits the fruit of the Spirit
(Gal. 5:22–23) and, when exemplified in the lives of godly people is not
quick-tempered, self-willed, pugnacious, or needlessly quarrelsome (Titus 1:7; 2
Tim. 2:24–25). It is not soft on false doctrine or on false teachers; but it is
soft with compassion and seasoned with grace in its dealings with fellow
brothers and sisters in Christ.
We might add here that love is not easily angered (1 Cor. 13:5), recognizing
that, as a general rule, the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of
God (James 1:20; cf. Eph. 4:26). As Solomon wrote, “He who is slow to anger has
great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly” (Prov. 14:29);
and, “An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot tempered man abounds in
transgression” (Prov. 29:22); and again, “Do not be eager in your heart to be
angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools” (Eccl. 7:9; see also Prov.
14:17; 15:1; 16:32; 19:11, 19; 22:24; 29:11).
The question we are seeking to answer is: What principles should guide
Christians as they interact online?
Speak the Truth in Love
In Ephesians 4:15, Paul tells his readers to speak the truth in love. There are
two important applications of this passage as it relates to Christian
communication (both online and off). These are basic points from the verse, but
they are equally important: First, we are to speak the truth. Second, we are to
do so in a way that is characterized by love.
The context of Paul’s instruction centers around doctrinal issues (in v. 14),
and is directly applicable to the edification of fellow believers (in v. 16). We
are to speak the truth, then, in contrast to the falsehood of erroneous
doctrine; and we are to do so in love, for the purpose of building up the body
of Christ.
Speaking the truth addresses the content of what we say. We are to be those who
guard, echo, and uphold the truth. That means there will also be times when we
need to confront error, as we contend earnestly for the faith. As those who
speak the truth, we will necessarily expose falsehood.
Biblical love is courageous and forthright when it needs to be. But it is also
characterized by gentleness, patience, and kindness. It is this type of
steadfast yet gracious love that we should pursue in our blogging efforts.
Speaking the truth in love addresses the way in which we speak. We must not be
obnoxious with the truth, or personally offensive in how we approach others.
Rather, we are called to communicate truth in such a way that the body of Christ
is edified. Our words, especially when aimed at fellow believers, must be
characterized by biblical love.
When we speak of love, we are not suggesting that we should ignore error or
blindly tolerate “every wind of doctrine.” Not at all. Biblical love “does not
rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6). In fact,
the writers of the NT reserved their harshest criticisms for those who would
promote false doctrine (Matt. 23:13–26; Gal. 1:6–9; 2 Peter 2; 1 John 2:18–24;
Jude). Biblical love demands that we protect fellow believers from what we know
to be potential threats and dangerous trends (cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 6:20; 2
Tim. 1:14; Titus 1:9–11; 2 Peter 3:17; 1 John 5:21).
Yet, at the same time, biblical love is also patient, kind, humble, selfless,
and not-easily provoked (1 Cor. 13:4-5). It is a sincere love (1 Pet. 1:22; Rom.
12:9) that is characterized by the phrase: “If possible, so far as it depends on
you, be at peace with all men” (Rom. 12:18). It exhibits the fruit of the Spirit
(Gal. 5:22–23) and, when exemplified in the lives of godly people is not
quick-tempered, self-willed, pugnacious, or needlessly quarrelsome (Titus 1:7; 2
Tim. 2:24–25). It is not soft on false doctrine or on false teachers; but it is
soft with compassion and seasoned with grace in its dealings with fellow
brothers and sisters in Christ.
We might add here that love is not easily angered (1 Cor. 13:5), recognizing
that, as a general rule, the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of
God (James 1:20; cf. Eph. 4:26). As Solomon wrote, “He who is slow to anger has
great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly” (Prov. 14:29);
and, “An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot tempered man abounds in
transgression” (Prov. 29:22); and again, “Do not be eager in your heart to be
angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools” (Eccl. 7:9; see also Prov.
14:17; 15:1; 16:32; 19:11, 19; 22:24; 29:11).
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