I recently met online with a few friends. One was troubled by what she had been seeing in her social media feeds, especially among people who claim to follow Christ. She shared how much bitterness and rage, name-calling, and anger she had witnessed. She wasn’t sure how much she should speak out about it. Many of the posts she saw were made in the name of justice, either calling out unfairness or defending authority. And because she cares deeply about others and longs to be on the side of righteousness, she felt the tension: when should she speak, and when should she remain silent?
We discussed these questions together. One thing we agreed on is this: whatever leaves our lips, or fingertips, Christ must remain our standard. We do not live for ourselves, a group or for a government, but first for Him. At one point, I shared that I often (or at least try to) run through a sort of mental checklist, a sort of spiritual litmus test, before tossing words into a public space. These are the questions I ask myself:
- Are my words insulting?
Jesus is very clear about the use of malicious language: “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matt. 5:22). As Christians, we can be so vehement in speaking out against certain “sins,” while allowing destructive and malicious words to leave our mouths. I don’t want to be this way. I don’t want to defend justice in one area while neglecting Jesus’ teaching in another. There must be a way to honor both, and it is my responsibility to find this way. - On the flip side, are my words loving?
Love doesn’t mean silence in the face of wrong. There are very real injustices in our world, and truth must be spoken. But how I speak matters. Scripture sets the bar high for the kind of words I should use: Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6; Proverbs 12:18; James 1:26; Proverbs 18:21, and many more remind me that my speech should build up rather than tear down. That also means avoiding mockery and sarcasm that belittles others. Paul warns, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving” (Eph. 5:4). The word translated “crude joking” doesn’t just mean sexually inappropriate humor. It also refers more broadly to clever words that twist or tear down. Mockery or snide humor may feel harmless in the moment, but it rarely heals and almost alway hurts. - Where are my prayers?
I’ll admit, I’m a little weary of the overused phrase, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you.” But that doesn’t mean prayer is meaningless. Jesus explicitly tells us to pray for our enemies, so much so that He ties it to our identity as children of the Father (Matt. 5:44-45). Before I lash out at someone I find offensive or even evil, I have to ask: Have I prayed for them? - Do I need to wait a day (or two) before speaking or posting?
If I feel the need to speak, post, or repost something that could be polarizing, am I willing to pause and wait? “Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent” (Ps. 4:4). The Psalmist accepts the reality of anger, but also calls for reflection. Perhaps this is what Jesus was doing when He saw the state of the temple, but took the time to make a whip before acting. And as much as I love this example of “righteous anger,” I have to admit I can be far less certain that my own anger is righteous. Which means I need even more time to examine my heart, pray, and consider before I act or speak. - Would I say this face-to-face?
If my post targets a specific person or group, even a CEO or public figure, would I say the same words to them if I were standing right in front of them?
Honestly? The answer depends on the day. If I’m feeling feisty, I might say yes. But then I have to ask: would my words paint a clearer picture of God’s justice and character? Or would I just feel better in the moment for getting it off my chest? On my more rational days, I know I’d be more likely to ask questions and try to have a healthy conversation than to lash out. Asking this question helps me “own” my words. I don’t want to say something online that I can’t take responsibility for in person. After all, “on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:36-37). - Am I replacing action with words/posts?
Social media can be tricky because it deceives us into feeling like we are making an impact when often we are not. The entire system operates on algorithms designed to keep us engaged, but in a passive manner. While it can be a helpful tool for sharing across boundaries, I can’t lose sight of the fact that it is curated for my eyes, my views, my likes and dislikes. It will feed my perspective, stoke my anger, and hold my attention. Meanwhile, Jesus will not ask me if I have posted enough on social media or if I have made sure my opinions are known. He will ask: Who did I nurture? Who did I welcome? Who did I clothe? Who did I visit? Who did I value? (Matt. 25:31–40). He will look for my love in action, not just in words (1 John 3:18). - Do I need another set of eyes before posting?
When I am in doubt, I often ask someone I trust to read or listen before I hit send. I am looking for someone who is non-reactive and a positive example of living out Jesus’ standard of truth and grace. They don’t need to agree with me; in fact, it’s often better if they don’t. I am trying to remember that my goal isn’t simply to be “right,” but to be righteous.
I do believe that, as Christians, we are called to speak against injustice. I cannot limit my concern to what affects me personally, but I must also care about what impacts my neighbor. But I also pray that in speaking up, I won’t unintentionally malign or misrepresent who God is. My prayer is that whatever I say, whether out loud or online, could be said in Christ’s presence with a clear conscience. And if in my humanity I fall short (which I will) may I be quick to humble myself, correct, and care more about His purposes than about my anger, opinions, or retribution.
Do you have a scriptural “litmus test” before posting? What might you add to this list? Let’s help one another be known for love, gracious speech, and courage in the face of injustice, rather than for hate, reckless words, or mockery.
Scriptures for Reference
Matthew 5:22 (ESV)
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Colossians 4:6 (ESV)
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
James 1:26 (ESV)
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”
Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Proverbs 11:12 (ESV)
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.”
Proverbs 29:8 (ESV)
“Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.”
Psalm 1:1 (NIV)
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.”
Proverbs 22:10 (NIV)
“Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.”
Ephesians 5:4 (ESV)
“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
Proverbs 26:18–19 (ESV)
“Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, ‘I am only joking!’”
Matthew 5:44–45 (ESV)
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Psalm 4:4 (ESV)
“Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.”
Matthew 12:36–37 (ESV)
“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 25:31–40 (ESV)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
1 John 3:18 (ESV)
“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
John 2:13–15 (ESV)
“The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.”
Luke 10:30–37 (ESV)
“Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.” Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’”
Matthew 22:36–40 (ESV) — The Greatest Commandments
“‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’”
Thin Air, High Hope 
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