The below selection of Proverbs will encourage and challenge you regarding how you communicate to your social networks – – whether it is through the new media or sitting around at the grain elevator on a rainy day talking to other farmers.
Pastor Bruce McKanna serves the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris. It’s one of my family’s favorite churches and one we often attend when we have a Sunday off. Pastor McKanna is currently preaching through a survey of the entire Bible. He writes the following about last Sunday’s sermon:
As we are going through the whole Bible together as a congregation, we are in Proverbs this Sunday. Since I’ve preached a few different mini-series from Proverbs over the past six years, I’m not trying to do an overview or even focus on the fundamental issue of the fear of the Lord. Rather, I’ll be trying to show how practical the Proverbs are in relation to a particular issue: how we engage in a world of social media. I will be making very clear that this applies to the old school “social media” of the old men having coffee in our local diner as much as it does the moms and millennials hanging out on Facebook.
Below is Bruce’s sermon insert for this sermon in which he selects different verses from Proverbs to encourage us about social media. It’s a great resource for all of us. In a social media age, this ancient biblical wisdom is as relevant as ever.
Be careful in what you’re consuming and what you’re contributing.
15:14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15:2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
Don’t say everything that pops into your head.
10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
17:28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
21:23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.
This is especially important in an argument or heated debate.
15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
17:27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Listen, and you just might learn something.
12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
18:13 If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
Just make sure you are listening to those who are speaking truth.
13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
14:7 Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
Don’t get sucked into debates with fools.
9:7-8 7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
29:9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
Don’t use your platform to belittle others or boost yourself.
11:12-13 12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
27:1-2 1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
a stranger, and not your own lips.
Use your powerful words positively to build up others.
15:4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
15:23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and a word in season, how good it is!
15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,
but gracious words are pure.
