Social media has become a cultural phenomenon. Travel on public transportation and look at the faces up and down the seats. Earbuds, the glow of screens, and thumbs tapping away are the norm. We keep in touch by electronic means, with our moods changing according to our electronic intake of notices and trends.
How can we know our friends from our enemies? People “friend” us, we follow others’ tweets, and SnapChat keeps us updated on the latest trends. Are we sure people are who we think they are?
1 Samuel 25:15 gives us David’s experience with social media:
“But [David’s] men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we anything, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields.”
Merriam-Webster tells us conversant means to have frequent or familiar association with someone. David and his men had been treated cruelly by Nabal. Yet, when Nabal sent his messengers to berate David, David and his men treated them well.
How do we react when we read something we don’t like on social media? Do we rail, “unfriend” someone, or make a pointed reply?
David treated those well who spent time with him, who got to know him, and who treated him well in return. He got to know those who brought him ill news, and he gained their trust by his respect and honesty.
Social media is a masterful tool. It’s up to us to use it carefully. It can bring us close to those we love, or it can drive us away and create enemies. Let’s guard our responses as we tap at our screens. Let’s let the love of Christ flow through our words and encourage those we’re in contact with. Let’s use social media to keep our friends close so that we can share the love of Christ with everyone we know.
How we treat our friends reflects how closely we walk with our Father above.
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Originally Published 9-8-16 in Relationships