Today's Scripture Reading (December 19, 2022): Ecclesiastes 10
One
of the phrases that I don't like to hear is when people tell me that "they
just wrote it down on their 'Private Facebook Page.'" Often my reply is that
there is nothing private about Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Truth Social, or any other social media you might use. There is also
nothing private about emails or text messages. You lose control of your words as
soon as you write something down and send it to someone, and now those words can be shared with anyone. What we write down on social media and even in private messaging is often the evidence
that can be used against us in the court of life.
One of the
things we should all note with those being tried for crimes committed against
the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, is that some of the evidence
against the accused are the words they communicated to others through social
media or other messaging sites. More and more, emails are being subpoenaed and
granted access to by those trying to convict people of crimes. Do not write it down if you don't
want someone to know that information. I would also caution you not to say anything to
anyone because as soon as you say it or write it down, you lose control of the information, and now that secret can be used against you.
The same goes for this or any
other blog. I am very aware that what I say here can be used against me. And
every time I write something down, I must be mindful that the information can be used against me. And it
has been used against me. I have been criticized for my view on women's leadership in the church
because of the things
written here. And I need to be okay with the criticism if I am going to broadcast it here or on
any of my social media accounts. (In case you missed it, I believe in the radical
equality of the genders in church leadership, and I admit that some of the best Pastors and Church Leaders I know
have two X Chromosomes.) I have been criticized for other things written here; I am okay with that because the things I write here
are important to me, and I want you to know the things that are important to
me.
It doesn't matter what the subject is, be careful with what
you say and write. Your words will always influence someone, so they must be carefully weighed. Anything you write can be passed on
to an audience beyond what you intend, every whisper can be told to people that
you might not want hear your message. And a bird might just carry your words to
the halls of power and then you will have to answer for all that you say. And
if you have ever uttered the words "a little birdie told me" to
protect a source of information, the origins of the phrase go back to these
words of Solomon.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading:
Ecclesiastes 11
No comments:
Post a Comment