February 8, 2018

Watch What You Share

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is not truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44

It made the social media rounds. It was Super Bowl Sunday and the word was that the NFL wasn’t going to allow the Star-Spangled Banner to be played. People were disgusted with Commissioner Roger Goodell. Some threatened to boycott watching the game.

It was all a lie. Pink sang the National Anthem. Everyone raved about her performance. I only noticed one person come back and post on social media that the information previously shared was wrong. She didn’t apologize for sharing it. She simply noted it was wrong and “someone” obviously got their information wrong.

This woman, along with many others, are wonderful Christians. Except when they aren’t. Did it ever occur to them to check the facts before sharing a lie? Of course not. It’s just too easy to click that share button. It’s not so easy to research the issue themselves.

Everyone knows I’m all about opinions. I love sharing my own and I love to hear different voices debating real issues. We all learn that way. But there’s a line between opinion and lie. So many people don’t understand that.

Another sweet friend defended her right to her opinion. I guess she’s been getting some flack for the hatred she shares on social media. Not from me, I might add. I simply ignore it. I know that very little of what she shares actually has any truth in it.

She is defensive. I understand that. It’s never fun to be criticized. But I think maybe she’s missing the point of the comments. She is certainly entitled to her opinion. But when she constantly shares hatred and then turns around and talks about Jesus, well, she comes off sounding like a hypocrite. And that makes people angry.

It’s a vicious cycle. Hatred begets hatred. Anger begets anger. And lies beget them both. We’re so busy having “opinions” that we can’t hear any voice but our own. We blame it all on Washington but, honestly, it starts right here with all of us.

I wonder what would happen if all those who claim to be Christians simply refused to share hatred and ugliness. It is possible to share your opinion without either of those things. I wonder how our country, and the world, would change if we sought to listen and learn rather than listen and reply.

If your “opinion” is a lie, it comes from Satan. Be careful what you share. Is it kind? Does it show respect for all those created in God’s image? If the answer is no, then don’t share it. Don’t say it. Don’t be a part of it. And, certainly, don’t excuse it as your “opinion.”