When I moved to my role as vice-president of LifeWay, my boss Thom Rainer encouraged me to use a blog and social media to connect with church leaders. It was the fall of 2011. I signed up for Twitter a month later. Several years later I signed up for Instagram. Though I was not an early adopter on any platform, I have enjoyed using the them to connect with people, to share content, and to read other people’s thoughts. Some abandon social media because the cost is greater than the benefit for them, and I applaud the decision when one concludes that for himself and makes appropriate adjustments. For me, the benefit still outweighs the cost. With that said, here are 10 Proverbs for wise social media use.
1. Don’t share everything in your life. That would be stupid.
A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity. (Proverbs 12:23)
2. The story you are tempted to be jealous of on social media is likely not the whole story.
One person pretends to be rich but has nothing;
another pretends to be poor but has abundant wealth. (Proverbs 13:7)
3. Don’t waste time trying to correct trolls. That will only increase hate.
Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;
rebuke the wise, and he will love you. (Proverbs 9:8)
4. You should not talk about every issue or comment on every event.
When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,
but the one who controls his lips is prudent. (Proverbs 10:19)
5. Stop following foolish people.
Stay away from a foolish person;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech. (Proverbs 14:7)
6. Don’t build an audience on anger.
A quick-tempered person acts foolishly,
and one who schemes is hated. (Proverbs 14:17)
7. Don’t get sucked into an echo chamber of fools.
The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20)
8. People on social can turn on you quickly. Real friends stick with you online and off.
One with many friends may be harmed,
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
9. You will find out who your real friends are when you share something you regret.
Wealth attracts many friends,
but a poor person is separated from his friend. (Proverbs 19:4)
10. Tell the truth and only share things you know are true.
Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,
but faithful people are his delight. (Proverbs 12:22)
