“If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”
I John 4:20 NIV
There are some positive reasons why I use Facebook. First, I have friends and family who live far enough away that I can’t see them often. But I can keep up with their lives through pictures and posts. I love seeing how little ones are growing and hearing about their school activities. Also, I post weekly devotions and, as I publish a new book, I can update friends who may be interested. But there is another side of Facebook that is not positive and it seems to be growing worse almost by the second.
It involves posting one’s opinion - which is a right we each have - but it goes much deeper than that. It is posting hate. As Christians, we lose our influence to share Jesus when we post hate. Yes, you read that right: Christians posting hate. Surely not, you say! We serve a God who loves all people, you reply. True. But can I share a sample with you?
“She/he is not only ugly but stupid and could never lead our town/state/country! If you support that man/woman/philosophy, you are ignorant and as dumb, blind, and evil as they are and headed to the pit of hell. Hey, be sure to come join me this Sunday at church! Everyone is welcome!” What?
Hate. That’s what was just shared. Not love. Not compassion. Not praying for those we disagree with. Being filled with hate toward someone is just like drinking poison, thinking it will hurt the person you hate. But instead, it only hurts you and your witness. And that hate does something else: as it fills your heart, it chokes out your joy from Jesus. In other words, it consumes you. And before long you will notice something else. People will begin to avoid you. Former “Hi, how are you?” friends will wave and move on.
Hate does not look good on anyone claiming to be a Christ follower. It does not draw people to Jesus through us but instead pushes them away. A person commented to me, after reading that post, “If that’s what their church is like, I have no desire to go there.” My heart was broken as he shared how he felt. But it also convicted me to look deep into what I share on Facebook.
I like reading opinions, whether I agree or not, because there have been instances where I have stopped, considered what they shared, and then researched my beliefs. Was my opinion based on just what I thought or was it based on fact? Did I decide my opinion because of Scripture or because I just wanted to be right? Was my response one of hate? I pray the answer is no!
John shares very clearly the Truth found in the New Testament. If we say we love God but hate our brother (fellow man) we are liars. Wow. Not mistaken. Not misguided. But liars. That convicts ME to repent for anything I have posted in hate and it encourages me to continually keep watch over my heart. Please join me in getting rid of the Poison Called Hate.
Father, please keep watch over my heart and show me where I need to clean out hate in my life so I can be filled with you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
R.A.P. it up . . .
Reflect
Have you ever posted on Facebook after reading something you disagreed with?
Was your response hateful, either toward the person or the post?
Apply
Go back through your Facebook posts for the last month.
If you find anything posted in hate (check your heart on this), delete the post and ask a Christian friend to keep you accountable.
Power
I John 4:20 NIV: “If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”
Proverbs 10:12 (NIV) “Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.”
I John 3:15 (NIV) “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.”
