Sowing, Reaping, and Social Networks
Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived; Elohim is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.
There are many social networks with which one can be involved via the internet. I personally see posts decrying what other people are posting quite often. Maybe you are one of those people who don’t like what others post. Have you ever considered that those people don’t like what you post either?
Perhaps the above principle is at work, that is, you are simply reaping what you are sowing.
If you are seeing a lot of drama posted by others, could it be that you are posting drama yourself?
Just yesterday I saw a person post a threat, yes, a threat. This person declared that if any person in his friends list posted any pictures of aborted fetuses, he would unfriend him. He then gave the reason why, which is unimportant, even though that person would most likely strongly disagree with me on that point. Is this extreme? Is this drama? You be the judge. This person does have the option of not “following” any given person, thereby what that other person posts would not show up in his feed.
Whatever happened to the Golden Rule? Doesn’t anybody actually care about others these days? Shouldn’t we watch out for the interests and feelings of others?
But one might well say, “But I need to tell them truth, and they need to hear it.” As true as that is, how one goes about speaking truth can make all the difference in the world. A long time ago a friend of mine was famous for saying, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” He was right.
A close friend of mine didn’t like what he was seeing, that is, he didn’t like all the drama he was seeing coming through his news feed being posted by other people. So, he took action of a different sort. He began posting things of a positive nature. Things that would make people think. Before he started his project, he was seeing lots of drama. He also was not posting much at all. Since he started posting, he has seen a dramatic reduction in the drama he sees come through his news feed. You see, one really does reap what one sows.
Please consider these two things on social networks: 1) is what I am about to post being kind to those who will read it and 2) is this the very best way possible to present this information?
Kindness is never out of order. Common courtesy seems to have fallen by the wayside in these days. However, if each one of us simply refuses to let kindness slide off into the past, but rather, acts in kindness to those around him, including those on social networks, then the sowing of kindness shall reap kindness; YHWH has so declared it.
An “in your face” approach rarely, if ever, gets others to consider, much less accept, the information at which one would dearly love for them to take a good, honest look. There are way too many self-proclaimed martyrs these days. That is, they get up in peoples’ faces and lose friends as a result, and then point at this as a mark of righteousness. Sorry, but that is not a mark of righteousness, that is a mark of foolish and rash actions. Frankly, anyone can make other people leave a friendship. But to get people to stay in a relationship when there is disagreement takes time, skill, and respect for the other person.
Typically, when I see something which concerns me, I go to the person in private, just like our Master taught us to do. This is the way I would want to be treated, so it is what I do, for I know that what I sow, I shall also reap.
It is far too easy to write a post and hit the send button. It is not necessary. What is needful, is forethought, consideration, and kindness. If Yeshua Mashiach is truly your Master, then start living like it on the social networks. Stop letting emotions guide your posts; let His principles guide you. Always remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Furthermore, remember that whatever you post is going to come back to you in the same way, in the same manner, and at some time.
Shabbat Shalom
Zerubbabel ben Emunah
www.onetorahforall.com