WHAT DID THEY JUST SAY?
Multiple times a day, I think, “What did they just say?” while scrolling. In a world where everyone has an opinion, it is critical that we listen to the right voices. I have been increasingly concerned about the messaging going out over social media by “Christians.” Since everyone has a platform, we just assume we should share our thoughts and opinions with others. Just because something sounds positive doesn’t mean it represents the Lord.
A mixture of secular thought and scripture has contaminated the church over the last couple of decades. It appears that an entirely self-seeking, self-pleasing doctrine has emerged. It combines things from new age, occultism, political agenda, and social justice. But it was God himself who spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, saying that to be His mouthpiece, we must separate the precious from the vile. The NIV puts it this way. Jeremiah 15:19, “Therefore this is what the Lord says: If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.” You do have influence. What is vital is removing the world from our mouths. It matters what you say.
DOES WHAT YOU SAY LINE UP WITH GOD’S WORD?
We must be careful to speak what is known from scripture, not just what sounds spiritual or good. God is the author of good. We don’t get to decide. If you want to encourage people, let your thoughts come from scripture, and your opinions remain with you. We can, of course, speak God’s opinion all day long. The careless way so many post “positive” messages that don’t line up with scripture is of concern. Doing this is a misrepresentation of our God. Moses wasn’t allowed to enter the promised land for doing precisely that.
The church should stand up and be heard. I am not suggesting otherwise. I am suggesting that we be careful to say what the Lord is saying and be sure we stand for scripture and God’s righteousness, not the world’s ideas or ideologies. We need to stop and consider before we repost a nice thought. It’s time the church be the church. She is a peculiar people set apart. If she sounds like the world and looks like the world, she is of the world.
WE YOU SAY REPRESENTS GOD
John 17:16 (NIV) says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” We are also told in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)
The world definitely needs to hear us, but they need to hear God through us. We are living in the last days. Our partnership with God is imperative to bring in the harvest before it’s too late. Let’s be good stewards of God’s word and properly represent who He is. In this way, we ensure a good and pleasing outcome.
By all means, use your voice. Just make sure your voice lines up with His.
Jaime Luce
