All too often, people throw stones at others that they don’t share the same beliefs.

What’s worse is that many of these stone throwers neglect to confront the person face-to-face or seek to contact them in some way before they blast them on social media.

Blasting people on social media (or otherwise) without checking the source is potentially slander and gossip. I see many people on various social media resort to such behavior. I’ve asked them if they went to the source to check their understanding of the situation or the context of what was said. 100% of the time (in my experience), they told me they didn’t go to the source first.

One lesson from Matthew 18 is that we should go before the (allegedly) sinning brother first, before inviting others to the conversation (Matthew 18:15-20). I say “allegedly” because there are many opinions about Christianity (Romans 14).

While the example in Matthew 18 is specifically about sin and not necessarily a belief, do you think it could also apply to differences in belief as indicated in Romans 14 (what day is holy? Clearly, they are wrong, and I must tell the world!)?

“Well, so-and-so said this… and that means this…”

Did you ask them if that’s what they meant, or did you assume and get it wrong? Context is important.

“…”

You probably wouldn’t like others to do that to you. So, it would do you well to treat others as you’d like to be treated.

Is it really in God’s heart to blast a person all over social media, gossiping and slandering them (i.e., assassinating their character) before approaching them or contacting the ministry they’re a part of to get clarity?

Let’s remember that when we approach someone that we do so in the Spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1).

What’s another problem with blasting a person on social media (and other places) before approaching them in person?

I’ve known people to misspeak who also later openly corrected what they said.

Hypothetically, you may be a heresy hunter who loves to blast people for anything and everything you disagree with according to your faith.

You find someone (me?) that said something you disagree with that goes against what the Bible teaches.

“BLASPHEMY!!!,” you cry.

So you then tell all of social media about it with “righteous anger.”

You’re now so hyper-focused on what they said that you missed the person openly admitting they were wrong and repenting.

Perhaps you later found out that they sincerely repented, but because you told 100 of your best friends who have also shared and told others about what you said, the brethren are tearing down the brethren for something they repented of, and their attitude against whom you shared about is tainted.

It repeats, and more people are offended by that person, and you can’t contact everyone affected to let them know they corrected their misspeaking.

Q&A

Do you believe in being corrected as a believer?

Yes. The Bible declares that all scripture is useful for correcting people (2 Timothy 3:16, 4:2). Going before the believer one-on-one first is biblical, as well as not entertaining an accusation against an elder unless there are multiple witnesses (Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Timothy 5:19). I believe it should be done in the right Spirit (gentleness) and there should be opportunity to restore the person (2 Timothy 2:24-25, Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20). There should be complete forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1 NKJV).