The Self-Imposed Silence Of The Lambs

It’s been previously noted, yet warrants repeating, how the Internet is synchronized beauty and horror. Beauty in how everyone can participate. Horror in that so can anyone.

The manner in which a believer conducts his or herself online should be no different than how we behave in any other aspect of life. Unless we’re in character for a role playing game, in which case we might want to consider turning off the computer and going outside more often, we are we. Sounds silly, but there are times we seem to forget.

Since the only element by which people online know us is by our written word, for the believer it’s vital to make sure our message has consistency. It’s not a case of every word tapped into our keyboards needing John 3:16 attached with Super Glue or else we’re off course. However, if we say we believe something and then by our own words contradict those professed beliefs, there’s a problem.

One of those elements is the workplace. Unless we’re employed by a ministry, chances are extremely good we are not paid to be a minister. Which has nothing to do with the call to minister; that is on us all as part of our daily lives in how we care, share and love. But it’s not our reason for drawing a paycheck.

If all we do online is bitch about any combination of the boss, co-workers and the job itself, what kind of witness are we presenting? There’s nothing wrong with blowing off some steam now and then. We need to. Far better to vent than to be in danger of becoming the next quiet person who kept to themselves. That duly noted, if everything we say is negative what in fact are we saying? God really screwed this one up by having us be where we are?

There’s also the fact noted earlier. Anyone can get online and see what’s out there. Including our employers. Who, if we’re publicly talking trash about them, will in most cases be delighted to swiftly lighten our workplace burden one hundred percent. So let’s be wise. Honest, but wise. Some things are better left unsaid.

Another element is politics. One of the beauties of Sarah Palin’s Going Rogue is how she details the foundation of her political philosophy. It is rooted in the dual influences of her semi-rural Alaskan upbringing, with its mandate of rugged individualism coupled with community cooperation as a necessary means of surviving the harsh environment, paired with total faith in and servitude to Christ. When we understand these things, we understand the whys of her political beliefs plus actions.

For the believer, there is no luxury of disconnect in the realm of policies or practices. If Jesus is Who He says He is; if He holds the place in our hearts, minds and souls He ought to hold as not only Savior but as our Lord, our political agenda must reflect His teachings. Regardless of how one leans, unless it’s always in which direction the wind presently blows (helpful hint: that’s bad), we should always publicly note Christ is the reason upon which our reasoning and behavior rest. Again, this isn’t a case of arc welding Scripture quotes onto every dissertation concerning foreign or domestic policy. However, it needs to be woven into the fiber of what we say and do. It needs to be spoken of without reluctance. Others can and will disagree with us. That said, when we provide not only the whos, whats, whens, wheres and hows of our position but the whys from which they come there is no misunderstanding save that deliberately undertaken by the disingenuous.

The final point needing mention is demon alcohol. That’s a bit of a joke. Those who do flips and twists that would do an Olympic caliber gymnast proud to try and bend Scripture into being a screed for Prohibition are on the wrong side of truth. Paul predated the studies about a little wine being good for us by urging Timothy to have some for medicinal purposes. And have we forgotten that Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine in order to keep the party going? Getting drunk, especially staying that way, is clearly a no-no. But that’s the sin, not drinking itself when done properly.

For some people it is a sin to drink because once they start they will not, or cannot, stop. This doesn’t give them the right to demand others not drink. However, it is important that all of us maintain a consistent witness regardless.

We all need to examine our online conversation content. If we speak volumes about chardonnay and/or Coors while neglecting Christ; if the initials most readily associated with us are JD instead of JC, we have issues. If we can’t imagine or face the day without a drink or two or three or more, we’re crossing the line. If we’re getting hammered and then hammering out messages about it, we’re falling short of the goal. We need to clean up and clam up. That’s not being judgmental. That’s being who and what we say we are in Jesus.

We should always speak freely of our faith. Other areas? Not so much.