Put Your Sword Away

Matthew 26:52
Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”

There is a statement that says, “the pen is mightier than the sword.’ Meaning that what you write or communicate is more deadly than trying to use physical force against your adversary. What we write and communicate can be inspiring or it can be damaging. With the rise of social media the probability of damaging communication has escalated. A fifth of all divorces are now due in part to Facebook or obsessional gambling. Whenever we use Social Media as a tool to retaliate against someone we take a gamble that it will cause a fracture in relationships.

Cyber bullying is another epidemic that has impacted young people in a detrimental way. Cyber bullying is when someone repeatedly harasses, mistreats, or makes fun of another person online or using other electronic devices. What can be a good tool of communication can become a dangerous weapon in the hands of a fool.

Social Media is a way to communicate, inform, and inspire. You will occasionally run into people who are antagonistic but you must choose the high road in communicating with them. You cannot unsheathe your sword every time someone offends you.

Jesus was betrayed by one of his closest disciples, Judas. Judas bought soldiers and religious people with swords and clubs to arrest Jesus. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and the soldiers seized Jesus. Peter pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of one of the servants. When we abuse social media in retaliation for betrayal we lose the ears of people who need to hear Jesus. Jesus put the ear back on the servant and told Peter to put his sword away, because people who live by the sword will die by the sword. We cannot fight against our antagonist with the weapons of this world, but the weapons of our warfare are spiritual not carnal.

Social Media as a sword should not be used for:

1. Attacking people for everybody to see. This is where many young people have gotten into violent altercations over Facebook and Twitter beef. Social Media is not the place to call people out on the wall and attack their character.
2. Spreading Gossip. Mike Murdock said, “Somebody you trust trusts somebody you don’t.” This is gossip. Gossip is betraying confidential information to people who have no business with the information you are sharing.
3. Create a platform for indecency. Whatever you put out there speaks to your character. Whatever picture or post you put out there represents the quality of lack of quality pertaining to your character.
4. Public disclosure of Private matters. Even when Judas betrayed Jesus, the savior never put Judas on blast. Instead, he told Judas to his face, “Friend what you do, do it quickly.” Nobody knew what Judas did to Jesus until he hung himself.

Social Media as a Pen:

1. Answer people intelligently when you are in disagreement. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
2. Ignore them if you can. Don’t respond to the stupidity of a fool; you’ll only look foolish yourself. Proverbs 26:4-5
3. Enlighten them if they have a teachable spirit. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3
4. Block them if they persist to be negative. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. I Timothy 4:7
5. Always take the high road. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6

Dear God,

Today, I choose the high road and I will not draw my sword but instead use the power of my pen to bless those who are yet seeking your face and giving their ear for the voice of Jesus.

In Jesus Name,
Amen