It’s so funny how I’ll post something on social media and someone will think that I’m reacting/ responding to one of their posts in some kind of passive aggressive manner, when I haven’t even read their post in the first place. And then, I’ll see someone else’s post later and wonder if one of my own posts triggered or inspired them. But I think the real issue that is demonstrated in all of this is just how vain we can be.
Most of my friends aren’t cowards. If they have something to say to me, or about something I’ve said, most of them respect me enough to reply honestly to my posts. And those who grumble and gossip and make up unfounded rumors in their heads about me instead of talking with me probably aren’t my friends anyway, right? But does that mean I’m not their friend when I’m tempted to do the same in my own mind?
Yes, we can be very vain, acting as if everything had to be about “me” — as if everything centers around “me”. Oh how foolish we can be!
The next time that we’re ready to be offended over something on social media that is just another person sharing honestly what is on their best and mind — maybe we will remember how vain it is for us to assume that was aimed at us intentionally. Maybe we might listen, consider, and ask whether or not there is any value in what they are saying.
As Christians, maybe we should be aware of that lion waiting to devour us who has names like vanity, pride, offense, etc pinned to him that aren’t ours to bear.
Proverbs 19:11 ESV
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 ESV
Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.
Luke 17:3-4 ESV
Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Harold J. Ballinger 