When we get triggered online, we need to bring our hearts before the Lord before we put our fingers to the keys.
The person on the other side of the screen is not your enemy. Your adversary, the devil (1 Peter 5:8), is firing a shot across your bow to entice you to sin. You will be tempted to fire back…but at the wrong target entirely. Rather than achieving vengeance, you’ll only sink your own ship.
The devil will encourage you to boast in your own achievements rather than giving glory to God for His gifts. Ask King Herod how that turned out for him in Acts 12:21-23.
He will tempt you to reopen old wounds rather than forgiving. And when we don’t forgive others, we forfeit our own forgiveness from God. (See Matthew 6:15.)
He will turn your attention off of what Jesus Christ has done for you and try to convince you that you’re still who you used to be. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17.)
Don’t give in.
Not only does a harsh word stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1), it discredits your witness:
“No wonder the Scriptures say, ‘The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.’”
~Romans 2:24
The next time things start to get heated on social media, let’s take a moment to stop and consider our witness. Will my response give unbelievers an opportunity to blaspheme Jesus, or will it bring honor to His name?
Let’s leave the vengeance to God (see Romans 12:19). He’s better at it anyway. (Seriously, check out the Herod thing.) Instead, let’s demonstrate the kindness of God that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4).
Who knows? You might just save a soul.
Seated at His Feet 