“I Will See You In The Blogosphere!”

It is not a secret that the internet is a powerful tool which has benefited the church over the course of recent history. From evangelism to edification – ministries around the world are making use of the internet’s ability to reach people with the life changing message of Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, with the power for good also comes power for evil! Since we are living in a sin cursed world full of fallen thoughts, motives, and desires – the internet is being turned into a weapon for war rather than a tool for the glory of God. Today, many individuals and ministries are becoming the subject of attack through internet blogs, personal websites, and public web forums. Rather than keeping their ideas, opinions, and complaints out of the public eye, people are utilizing a new way of attacking ministers and churches by the use of public internet websites. In many cases it may start off with only a desire to ask questions regarding change, discipline, or direction of a church ministry, but it eventually turns into a wildfire that rages out of control and destroys people in the process.

Church Attacked

A church in Georgia, which I shall call “PM” in order to conceal their identity, has become the subject of a relentless attack in recent months. The attack started against the pastor when he refused to allow major sin to continue within the membership of the church. He confronted leadership within the church with accusations of adultery and fraud. The pastor then confronted other members of the church due to their sinful behavior of personal attacks. Some of these members left the church before they could be properly disciplined, but others were eventually publicly dismissed as a result of their unwillingness to repent. After the attackers started writing mass letters to membership regarding the pastor, they turned on the entire church in public websites and web forums. These attacks have harmed children, families, and visitors of PM.

Question Asked

How should disgruntled members of a local church handle their problems? Should a public web forum or website be used to “air out” dirty laundry between members, ministers, and ministries? Does the Bible have anything to say about the use of the internet for such debates and disagreements?

In order to answer the question at hand, I think we must first realize that the Bible is the all sufficient guide for our lives as Christians. We can learn much about how to handle these types of situations by evaluating the Word of God.

Question Answered (James 3:1-12; Matthew 12:26)

The book of James is often described as “New Testament Proverbs.” It reveals godly wisdom in a New Testament context. As we review the third chapter of James, we see that the tongue is the most deadly body part of the human body. Not only is it deadly, but according to James, it is unable to be fully tamed!

Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things (James 3:3-5a).

Illustration – Horse (3)
A horse is a large powerful animal. In comparison to a person, the horse is hundreds of times stronger and more powerful – but it is controlled with a bit that is placed in the mouth just on top of the tongue. As the tongue is controlled by the bit, so is the horse’s head. As the head is controlled, the entire body is also brought into submission. Therefore, in order to rely upon the horse to obey, a bit must be used on the top of the horse’s tongue.

Illustration – Ship (4)
Just like the horse, a ship is also controlled with a very small member. The entire ship is controlled by a rudder at the back of the boat. The rudder turns and so does the ship. The massive size and power of the ship is controlled by the small member which sits at the back of the ship.

Application – Tongue (5a)
James uses these two illustrations in order to demonstrate the importance of the tongue. Although the tongue is a small member, it remains very powerful. It possess much power and ability to control the entire body of a human being.

The point James was making is very clear! Like a horse is controlled by his bit (on top of his tongue) and the ship is controlled by a small rudder, we as humans are controlled by our tongues. If we are going to be used for God’s glory, our tongues must be in submission to Him!

Illustration – Wildfire (5b – 6)

Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Wildfires destroy! This past summer (2007) we witnessed many destructive wildfires in the state of California. What started with dry conditions turned to fuel for a small spark. This spark grew into a small fire that rapidly grew through dry and windy conditions into a monstrous wildfire. This fire destroyed homes, lives, and habitats.

James was making a clear point in this text. Just as wildfires destroy, so does the evil speech that is brought forth by the tongue. Therefore, we as Christians must guard our tongues in order to prevent such rapid and destructive wildfires. Although James never knew of the internet in his day, he certainly understood that specific conditions (wind and dry weather) could produce fuel for a small spark which could grow into a massive wildfire. In our day, these conditions are present with the internet. Although it often starts with a seemingly small spark of words which are the translation of audible words or internal thoughts, it quickly turns into a wildfire that rages out of control and brings about much destruction in the end.

Illustration of Beasts (7 – 8)

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

In this section, James compares the tongue to animals of the earth and sea. According to James, all manner of animals have been tamed by man, but no man can tame his tongue! James goes further to say that the tongue contains all manner of evil and poison. What a warning for Christians to consider! As fallen humans, Christians still battle with the old sinful ways of our past. Therefore, since James says that no man can fully tame the tongue, we must always guard and filter our speech before it comes out of our lips and before we hit the infamous “publish” button.

Illustrations of a Fountain, Tree, and Vine (9 – 12)

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

James ends this section on the tongue with straight application that comes from his last two illustrations. James claims that we as Christians should not bless God and curse men which are made after the similitude of God. He goes further to claim that out of the same mouth should not come both blessing and cursing. He proves his point with two clear illustrations. James’ first illustration involves a fountain. According to James, a fountain does not produce both bitter and sweet water. In relation to the tongue, we as Christians should not have blessings and cursing coming from our tongue. James’ last illustration involves a tree and a vine. According to James, a fig tree does not produce olive berries and a vine does not produce figs. In order to strengthen the argument, James claims that in the same manner as olive berries and figs come from two different sources, the Christian’s mouth should produce only those things which bing glory to God.

Conclusion = For God’s Glory

We must all realize that words do have the power to hurt! When people fight and feud in the blogosphere – it does not help the message of Christ! Small criticism that grows into a mega wildfire will bring much damage to children, families, will disgrace the name of Christ, and will eventually damage efforts of evangelism. Every idle word we speak or type must be done for the glory of God. If we as Christians can honestly live our lives through the filter of God’s glory – our speech will ultimately bring edification to the church rather than disgrace. Does this conclusion outlaw all efforts of critique or brotherly disagreement? Absolutely not! It does however suggest that dirty laundry should not be aired out in public forums – for it brings about much more harm than good in the end. Blogging is not a sin and is continuing to be used for God’s glory in many ways, but the messenger (blogger) should always seek to avoid harmful attacks that could dishonor God.   While I believe that we as Christians should bring to light heretical ministers and movements, we should allow our voice of disagreement within our local assembly be heard among family members only in order to exalt God to the highest!

Matthew 12:36
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

For the glory of God!

Rev. Josh Buice

  

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