Integrity on Social Media: 5 Tough Questions to Ask
My grandson, Foster.
Is integrity possible on social media?
I absolutely get the whole First Amendment right to express our thoughts and opinion. And, we all have one—an opinion, that is, about most issues.
Whether you’re looking to put your best foot forward for prospective employers or find quality friends. Or maybe you value true integrity and character in the midst of a culture that’s gone half mad.
Social media is the biggest platform to showcase you.
But for Christ-followers, shouldn’t we make every effort to conduct our lives based on the example of Jesus?
Everything? Every heart motive—the deepest nook and cranny. And every jot and tittle of our written words.
“A jot is the name of the least letter of an alphabet or the smallest part of a piece of writing. A tittle, rather appropriately for a word which sounds like a combination of tiny and little, is smaller still. It refers to a small stroke or point in writing or printing.” (More origin at the Phrase Finder.)
The phrase is found in Scripture.
“For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” Matthew 5:18 NKJV.
The New Living Translation says it this way, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.”
So, the Lord cares about the smallest, tiniest of details. Particularly, when we’re representing His laws and commands. When we’re representing the Almighty. And. We Are.
Social Media is the place for…
But there are exemptions for our purpose in this article. We love to see family photos. Those cute pictures of your kids, grandchildren, and pets? Keep them coming.
What about celebratory posts for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, trips, awards, and new jobs? Life’s happy events? Social media would be boring without them.
We can and should celebrate with each other for milestones reached and for 
picture-worthy posts. Yay! Bravo! Way to go! Love this!
Still, life’s-not-so-happy-right-now posts are a reality for all of us. Sad news, illness, loss of loved ones, and dark days. All times we reach out to our social media friends for prayer and words of encouragement.
And humor is great. Ha ha! I love to laugh out loud. Perhaps, so do you. Funny pictures with captions or hilarious videos can put a smile on my face. Who doesn’t need to smile more often these days or laugh until your tummy hurts? 🙂
Social media is not the place for…
But what about those posts with twisted and perverted humor? Words that inflict more harm than good? If they poke fun in a degrading way, then they’re unhealthy.
Sadly, with all the good the digital age has provided, it’s also used for posting disturbing and evil content. Such as videos and images that degrade women and the human body. I will not tolerate porn, nudity, or sexual content. They’re unhealthy in every way—even spiritually.
I block 3-4 followers every week on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Keep this childhood rule in mind. If someone isn’t playing nice in the sandbox, get out of the sandbox.
Also, I’m weary of relentless political antics of the same song and dance act. The same one we’ve all heard over and over and over.
For me, the most troubling posts on social media deface the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Brothers and sisters, these things ought not to be.
Social media and my integrity…
I cannot control others, their words or their actions. I cannot control you. And, I’m not in control of the newsfeed or social media accounts for others.
Yet, I am in control of me. My behavior, actions, and reactions.
Honestly, sometimes I can’t even control me. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can I hope to resemble Christ.
So, before we hit “post” or “share” or “tweet,” it’s good to take a step back. To evaluate the underlying motives for our conduct and behavior on social media.
Tough Questions to Ask:
- Uplifting: Is this post encouraging or will it bring others down?
- Self-focused: Am I too self-focused? Are my posts always about me or do I regularly share about family, friends, music, and great content from others?
- Authentic: Do my posts capture the real me or the me I pretend to be?
- Lovingly truthful: Do I portray God’s love and truth? Do I balance the love of Jesus with the truth of Who He is—the Great I AM? Am I compromising God’s truth in any way?
- Wise: Am I a drama queen or king who’s always ranting and raving about something? Or am I wise to pick and choose my battles deciding what’s appropriate for online and what’s best left offline?
Integrity on social media? Yes, it’s possible.
© 2016 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
