Do You Pass The Love Test?
I regularly jump at opportunities to share my faith, whether it’s in line at the supermarket, with the next-door neighbour, or an encounter with a stranger on the street. As I share stories, I often have people saying things like; “Wow! That’s brave of you, I’m not sure I could go up to a stranger as you do”. Chances are, you possibly already have and it’s not as scary as it may seem.
Have you ever posted to social media, or made a comment on someone’s feed? Silly question really if you’re reading this it’s a high probability you have. Social media is the new (or not so new) public square, where you’re speaking to every friend or follower, and their friends, followers, and beyond.
Over the past months, I’ve been scrolling through my Facebook feed and reading countless articles with loads of comments. Most of the time, rather than getting involved, I’ve been a bystander.
I often find myself feeling sad to see the types of responses that are written
I’ve been trying to view the posts and comments from the perspective of someone outside of Christianity. Don’t get me wrong here, I am a fully committed follower of Jesus who is passionate about seeing people saved, but it’s good to take a step back sometimes and try to imagine what things look like from the “outside”. What I’ve seen is a barrage of opinionated comments, quotes of scriptures, statements, bickering, shooting others down, slandering people and ministries … and yes there’s been truth, but the truth has been lost because the posts are rarely spoken in love.
Do you stop to ponder your motives before you engage online? Do you ask yourself questions before engaging? Questions like:
Is my response loving and kind?
Is my response drawing people to Christ or away from Christ?
Am I building a bridge or a barrier?
Am I spreading slander or being an encourager?
Like our daily actions with our colleagues, acquaintances, and friends, our words are also being watched. Not just by our Christian brothers and sisters but by people that don’t yet know the loving embrace of the Father.
Have we given thought to the possible multitude of people who could be reading our posts or comments? Each one of us is a disciple-maker and everyday people are being discipled by our actions and words. The question is how are we doing this? Are we drawing people to the Father or pushing them further away?
Have you posted, commented, and given your opinion online? Were your posts, comments, or opinions carefully thought through?
So, are you ready for ‘The Love Test’?
Start with reading the verses below and then answer, for yourself, the questions in The Love Test below…
1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Proverbs 12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
THE LOVE TEST
Do your posts or comments line up with the above scriptures?
Are you helping to bring down the walls or barriers, to lead people to Jesus?
Are you speaking in love, gentleness, and respect?
Do you respond to negativity with love?
Do you leave opportunities for people to ask questions?
If you answered '“no” to one or more of the above questions, can I urge you to take some time to step back, reflect and pray? Our Father God is the best communicator and He guides us into all truth — John 16:13.
We all need to take time to consider, what God is saying, and out of that determine how we should respond.
I urge you to carefully consider how you “speak”. We are not called to be silent, but we do need to speak with love and take every opportunity to pass the love test.
