I've been thinking a lot about the last post that I wrote, about how it's really rude and not something that I'd necessarily say to someone in real life. Maybe I would, who knows. Tact never really is my strong suit and is certainly something that I'm working on, that's for sure. It did get me thinking about the power of the internet as something that's not necessarily a force for good.
One verse that comes to mind is First Peter 5:5-6, which says
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Let's be honest here: having a blog and twitter and facebook account is a look-at-me fest. I realize that. All bloggers, especially ones that are personal bloggers, want to be noticed, loved, and maybe even famous some day. That's why we do it. Being a blogger and wanting to be famous for me is probably like a lot of boys' dreams to grow up to be an NBA basketball star. I'm writing in hopes that I can get feedback that will help me become a better writer, but there's a small part of the devil inside that would love to be famous and be recognized. However, I've been without feedback or fame this entire time, so I'm not holding my breath. :)
I was especially inspired recently because of a few different blogs that I read going back, forth, up, down, and sideways about comments that people leave on their blogs and the comments that the blogger will make about what people say about them. Some of these comments are downright rude! I'm thinking specifically of a story where a teenager killed herself because of comments that people that had made about her on Myspace. (You can read the story here). Maybe the kids that made the comments would have said that in real life too, but you have to wonder about how much worse the impact was because the entire internet community could add on to the fuel of the fire. There's even a blogger who has a website that she purposely posts all of the hateful comments that she receives in order to make ad revenue from it.
Are people really this rude in real life? Maybe because I surround myself with soft-spoken, caring, loving, people I don't see this so much. I guess it's not surprising, though. Some of the things that you see on reality TV that people get away with, coupled with the anonymity of hiding behind a screen name prove that there are a lot of people out there that are taking the wrong path in my opinion. Hate speech doesn't help anyone. Am I guilty of saying things and being rude? Of course I am. I'm human. But you have to think about how what you say not only impacts your reputation in the long run, but that the screen name or blog post you're hiding behind still reveals things about your true character.
Proverbs 3:34 reminds me that He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. Before I speak, I need to make sure that my speech is toned with humility and love. It will help me stay one step closer in my walk with Christ.
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