I’m tempted to simply post Matthew 5, in its entirety ... and I recommend going and reading it. Again. I’ll post a few verses that speak to me, on this topic:
5”Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
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7”Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8”Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9”Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
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14”You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16”Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
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21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’
22”But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
23”Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
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43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘ YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’
44”But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
I present the following, as a sort of examination of conscience. I think we would all (self most definitely included) benefit by considering whether our posting habits are in line with the Gospel.
1) Am I gentle, merciful, a peacemaker? What happens to a thread, when I participate in it?
2) My light shines, for good or ill. What sort of light to I shine? Does my behaviour glorify God?
3) How do I treat those with whom I disagree? Do I show them respect, as persons?
May the Light of the Risen Christ shine in all of us.
Great and humbling points. Thanks.
It gets silly, and everyone has to look at baby pictures.
We especially need to ask ourselves that when we feel really strongly about a subject. So often our desire to defend our view of God, or the church or our faith tradition, we get an emotional reaction as if personally attacked.
This is one of the passages I use as a philosophy on these things:
Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing.
2 Timothy 2:23-24
Well done, AB.