Hackers broke into the servers of a major US movie studio and leaked large amounts of confidential information. They released movies, scripts, salaries, and troves of salacious emails. Mortified executives quickly apologized for their racist riffs and disparaging remarks about movie stars. But the damage had been done. One celebrity, having learned she was called a “minimally talented, spoiled brat,” said she could not promote her movie because she suddenly had the chicken pox. Worse, the leaked emails left the company vulnerable to blackmail. The hackers promised to release more gossipy texts unless the studio stopped the release of a controversial new movie.
What would happen to our friendships and working relationships if some of our emails and texts were made public? We’re constantly communicating across a variety of platforms, and the more we type the greater the opportunity to sin. Proverbs 10:19 warns us that “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”
When using e-communication, it’s important to remember that the virtual world is still real. Living people with real feelings will read what we’ve written, perhaps even the person we’re writing about. It takes only one click to forward or copy someone else on an email, so never write something you wouldn’t want the whole world to see. A negative word “can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself” (James 3:6).
Let’s honor God with our words. As actors project when onstage, so emails project our thoughts and feelings. God will judge us “for every idle word” (Matthew 12:36). So may His words of life, grace, and truth fill our messages today.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Galatians 5:13-26
More:
Read Philippians 1:1-11 to learn how to communicate in a positive tone.
Next:
What safeguards can you put in place to prevent you from sending emails and texts you’ll later regret? How can you better honor God with your words today?
Gary Shultz on November 28, 2015 at 7:21 am
I think you have included some of the answers in your content. If we write everything as if it were public or as if it would be read by the person we are referencing, we would be much more thoughtful. As you know script often does not convey what a smile or language from the body can produce, which may bring warmth and understanding. I don’t think there will be social media in heaven, probably not even phones. Stop over some time and we can talk. Thanks
sandy229 on November 28, 2015 at 9:01 am
Actually we will not need phones in Heaven.
Winn Collier on December 6, 2015 at 9:16 pm
When I was a kid, I used to have this fear that everyone in the world would one day know the thoughts that went through my head. It was terrifying. It’s a sobering thought even now. I’m so glad grace is more powerful than this. I want to walk in integrity but not fear.