The world is not the same. We are so connected that a video of a significant event echoes around the world. Digital connections bring us together in so many ways that it has reshaped how we interact with each other and created the need to Biblically Navigate Online Sensitivity.
Much of our living happens online and that’s not about to change.
Couples find love online.
We work remotely.
Enrollment in virtual school is exploding.
Virtual doctor visits are rising.
Clearly, the transition from face-to-face communication to a virtual experience is real and growing. This beneficial form of communication also has a downside. You lose the benefit of physical presence! Online platforms are a valuable resource but they limit your opportunity to share space, watch body language, have eye contact and build more authentic trust. These limitations open the door for misunderstandings, deception, omissions and a lack of connection. It’s easy to feel badly about someone you have never met and don’t really know. Years ago, you could tell “Yo Mama” jokes (search it if you’re curious) and everyone laughed. Now, those kinds of jokes are offensive and crude. When you have an online presence, you must think about how your words make people feel. You may not intend to hurt anyone, but that doesn’t mean they won’t feel offended.
It heightens hurt feelings and sensitivity when people don’t know your heart. They have not spent time with you to learn what you care about. They don’t know your intentions or what God has called you to accomplish. Online, you are what you post.
For these reasons, I do not believe online platforms are suitable for personal comments about sensitive, individual matters. Those conversations are best received in the context of a relationship and physical presence. You can’t expect a person to make a biblical decision when they don’t know or acknowledge God’s presence in their life.
When you communicate online, there should be a purpose for your communication.
- Are you sharing stories about everyday life?
- Are you selling a product?
- Are you working?
- Are you expressing your thoughts about a subject?
- Are you building a brand?
- Are you online to do research, hangout, handle business, satisfy your curiosity, play games, find a date, listen to music, entertainment or another pastime?
These reasons have one commonality – you go online to connect to something or someone.
Here’s where online sensitivity takes a front seat in your marketplace ministry.
If you offend the people with whom you want to connect, how will you achieve your goal? Will you get a second chance? The person online knows you from what you post. They don’t see your smile or calm, caring demeanor. All they see are your words. Likewise, you don’t see them. You don’t know what they have been through or their struggles.
When you’re online, you don’t get to say, “I didn’t mean it that way.” Face to face, if you offend someone, you may apologize quickly and solve a potential problem before it happens. These are important considerations because when you communicate online, most often you don’t get a second chance to correct what you’re saying.
For example, at Ministry in Business (MIB) the primary gift used is evangelism. We operate three websites and several social media platforms, yet we post nothing that might be offensive and hinder a person drawing closer to God (apart from God’s Word and His guidance). The reason is our primary goal of evangelism. We hope is to draw you closer to God and His call on your life! We want to invite you to the MIB Bible Study, encourage you to Make Your Business Your Ministry and help you connect and multiply with our Get 3 to Get 3 initiative (each person finds three people to share life and God’s Word). With our primary goal in mind, there is no value in offending a person when they do not believe in or understand how much God loves them.
Instead of joining in with conversions that don’t serve your purpose, move on to a conversation that is more suitable.
Do you have an opinion? Yes!
Should your opinion always be shared? No!
Some arguments are not for you. They take you off track and distract you from your purpose. Even if you have something to say, keep it in your personal face-to-face circles. It’s hard for people to hear your explanation of the gospel when you offend them with your opinion about an unrelated subject. Your communication goal has to be more than just to prove that you are right and they are wrong.
Jesus modeled this for us in his relationship with the disciples. Jesus walked with the disciples. He lived with them. They shared their life and experienced each other’s strengths, weaknesses and failures.
There are two undeniable truths that Jesus showed that guide us in navigating online sensitivity.
- Jesus operated in relationships
- He drew large numbers, but his primary work happened in his smaller circles.
- He used the principle of multiplication instead of numeration (just counting numbers, 1, 2, 3. . .)
Our charge is to encourage people through God’s Word and help them get to know Jesus Christ in an authentic relationship. That means, while we must be sensitive, we can’t base our approach to biblically navigating online sensitivity solely on how people respond. Instead trust the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Of course there are times a follower of Christ must boldly represent the truth. If you believe, God is guiding you to bring open, biblical, online correction, check your heart and your words, then speak the truth! Communicate with love and always leave an open door for the person with whom you are communicating to turn to God. Be careful not to get drawn into ridicule when you defend your faith with an unknown online community. (Did you know over one third of all online activity is not real people? They are bots!) Successful communication doesn’t happen by fighting on digital platforms. Your battle happens spiritually. Instead of falling into a trap that dismantles your reputation, operate on God’s terms instead.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
There is nothing wrong with online connections. You keep up with family and friends. We watch children grow up and share in celebrations and challenges. We even get to work from home! There is a lot of good happening online. However, that’s not the end of the story. We must always consider what we are saying and how we say it. With online communication, we must be even more careful.
“Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (Colossians 4:6)
Everything we place online matters. Take advantage of the good, and don’t get caught up in the other parts. Remember why you are posting and stay true to your goals. Stay away from conversations that hinder your goals. When you’re tempted to jump into the wrong discussion, tell yourself, “It’s not worth it. That is not what I do.”
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