How One Phrase from 1 Corinthians 13 Could Change Social Media for the Better
Social media–like it or not–is here to stay. While the platforms may change over time (remember MySpace?), interacting online is part of the fabric of culture now.
But with that reality also comes a powerful responsibility. As with anything else, social media is something that Christians are to steward to the glory of God. While it is fun to share all sorts of things, our number one priority should be to shine the light of Christ through this avenue of communication.
However, many Christians see social media as a way to rail against politicians, celebrities, and other people with whom they disagree. Their social media feeds are a constant barrage of what’s wrong with this person or how terrible that person is.
I am not saying there is not a place for that. Christians are to expose evil, and sometimes it might be appropriate to share something online to help bring darkness to the light.
However, before we share something personal about someone (especially someone we have never actually met), may I remind us all of one phrase in 1 Corinthians 13? That great chapter is sometimes called “the love chapter,” and the middle verses famously contain one of the most beautiful descriptions of love found in the history of the world. As has been said countless times, this is love in action.
In that description, there is one phrase that is a bit curious, but when we understand its meaning might just change a lot of our interactions–including social media interactions–for the better.
In the middle of verse 7, Paul wrote that love “believes all things.” Now, at first glance, that seems a bit odd. Is he saying that the one who loves just believes any- and every-thing and is gullible about any relationship?
Not in the least!
The idea behind this phrase is that the one with the agape love that Paul is describing has confidence in someone. It is the concept of believing the best about another person and giving that person the benefit of the doubt, even if I disagree with him or her.
In commenting on the phrase, “Love believes all things,” Wayne Jackson wrote:
This does not mean that love is gullible. The sense may be that the loving one is inclined to trust rather than to be easily suspicious. (A New Testament Commentary, page 329)
Steve Williams wrote beautifully that this type of love, “in doubtful cases where one is uncertain, love gives another the benefit of the doubt and prefers to err on the side of generosity” (The More Excellent Way: Studies in 1 Corinthians 13, page 38).
While I fully realize that the context of 1 Corinthians 13 is in a larger section of Scripture dealing with relationships inside the body of Christ, may I also remind us that Christians are even to love our enemies? While the relationship is not the same, the love we seek to show should be as close as possible! I may not be able to express that love to an enemy in the same fashion as I am able to a brother or sister in Christ, but I should do my best.
Yes, sometimes love will expose error. Yes, sometimes love must be bold and say (or share) something that is hard to say and may even come across as harsh.
But, before you click that “share” button on Facebook or that “retweet” button Twitter, may I ask: have you given this person the benefit of the doubt, or are you just looking to hammer away at him or her? Would someone know, by following you online, that you are against this politician or celebrity, or that you are for Jesus Christ?
That one thought might just change social media, and I would suggest it would be for the better.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
Photo credit: NordWood Themes on Unsplash
