The tongue can be a powerful tool or a formidable weapon. When executed through the pen or through the lips, words have the ability to build up or tear down. They can promote either wickedness or righteousness (Proverbs 12:6, 18).

In our current culture, we can create a stir on social media by building someone up or tearing them down with our words in a day. Sadly, some have lost their livelihoods. Some have been left in suspicion by their family. Missionaries have lost support and there is a whole lot of slander believed with no evidence except that it was on social media.

Responsibility for the words we say and write is one of the things that God promises He will judge. Matthew 12:36-37 say, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

These two verses should cause us to stop and consider – even research if necessary – every word that comes from us. I fear that social media has made us lazy and irresponsible. Many lash out their “feelings” without ever doing their own honest “fact checking.” Many accusations and some criticisms are just slander.

Social media is a public forum that removes the one-on-one encounter that may help us confirm if what we believe is true or false. A statement on that kind of forum can move so quickly that the person’s reputation may be trashed before a rebuttal can be made. If what’s said is untrue,  it is slander. God hates slander (Proverbs 10:18; Matthew 15:19; 1 Timothy 6:4).

There are so many things that can be tied to the issues we face and the public responses in the world today. Satan, the flesh, jealousy, rage, anger, envy and many more things. For the Christian, we should have the ability in us (by God’s grace in giving us His Holy Spirit) to be responsible and self-controlled with our tongues, our pens, and in our actions toward others. Approaching a brother privately (even through Messenger) should come before a public statement that qualifies as slander.

All Christians need to be responsible when our words are a weapon, as well as when they are a tool.  God has given us His Words as the “Sword of the Spirit.” Will we be wise in how we use them?

When something that someone else says or does triggers a response from one of us,  especially if we “know” because of a third party report (or post), will we stop, think, do a little digging to find out if it’s true (like asking the person we believe is guilty), and respond according to what will please God rather than man?

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18