christian chat: not just for the internet
Christian chat is not just for the internet. Communication from the believer should and must always be seasoned with truth and grace, uplifting others, and sharing the gospel with the world.
Your daily conversations and the way in which you communicate to others reveal the true tale of what your life is all about, what you value in life, and what you think about most of the time. Even your silence about a thing or situation constitutes communication.
Many of us converse daily on the internet, which is now an ever-growing and popular method of communication to those we work with, our families, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers we have never met before.
Perhaps you get so caught up in your work and personal daily life that you don't really think of how you are relating to others through the way you use Christian chat.
You possibly may go through tons of emails-personal or work-related, all your social media accounts you may have (Ex.You Tube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and so forth), just to get your daily dose of all that's happening in the world. Even though we may experience information overload, we still don't want to miss anything that may remotely be, or seem to be, important to us.
christian chat must demonstrate biblical truths
Ever heard the old phrase that, "your actions speak louder than words"? Generally they do, and that is true as a rule I think; however, words can make or break, hurt or heal, uplift or tear down a person, depending on their meaning, context, or in the spirit of which they are intended.
The internet has brought about so many ways in which you may want to talk to others, either by texting through your cell phone, emailing, Skyping, FaceTiming, You Tubing, using Facebook Messenger, AOL Messenger, chatting in various chat rooms, and so on. Even through these means of communication, your words and the meaning of them may or may not be clearly understood as you speak or type out your message in digital form.
At times you may use various icons and abbreviations to convey certain feelings, emotions, or situations to those you are speaking to through the internet. Herein lies many of the problems of miscommunication because it becomes so easy to get lost within the various meanings of your words and speech patterns/habits.
You may want to consider these issues and concerns when speaking to other people over the internet because you wouldn't want your message to be taken the wrong way, or to be interpreted badly. Even if you are tempted to say something that is wrongful, hurtful, or degrading to another individual, first, think about Who owns you, the One who is Master and the Lord of your life. Would He be pleased with your kind of "Christian chat"?
This too has happened to me on many occasions when typing, texting, or speaking to someone online, which has made me very consciously aware of it continually. This is something I strive to improve upon every time I'm online.
Our world is ever-changing and has brought about more choices and options within society today in comparison to our more simpler methods of talking to people, such as writing letters, visiting personally with family and friends, or just picking up the phone and dialing someone.
Whether or not you are talking to someone in your Christian chat over the internet, through the telephone, in a group situation, or one-one in person, God's Word gives you, the believer, timely instruction, guidance, and wisdom on how you should communicate with those of the faith, as well as with those who do not believe.
Here are just a few examples through scripture that will relate this to you as you speak biblical truths to others through your Christian chat:
- James 1:19-20 says, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."
- Ephesians 4:29 instructs us, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
- Proverbs 15:1 says, " A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger."
- Hebrews 4:12 reminds us, "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
- Proverbs 18:21 warns that, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
- 2 Timothy 2:16 also warns, "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." And of course, there is...
- Colossians 4:6 instructs us, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."
christian chat reveals spiritual character
Part of your identity as a child of God is revealed through your spiritual character-your integrity, how you carry yourself, your stand on biblical issues, and yes, even how you communicate to others within your Christian chat.
You may be speaking to people all day long in some situations, either through the internet, at work with your co-workers and boss, with family members, friends, or with other believers you worship and fellowship with at church.
Throughout your Christian chat, you will want to make sure that anything your say or convey through your speech, or through other digital modes of communication, will demonstrate your true form of spiritual character; and that it may be in Christ. Perhaps through your speech and actions, others are observing and learning of what God's love, His salvation and the humility of Christ look like.
My dear godly mother used to remind me each time I left the house to go somewhere, to watch myself, and to take in account of how I carry myself as a young Christian lady. I never forgot that, even though she is long gone now. Her words and exhortations always stuck with me throughout my spiritual life of which I am most grateful.
The following are a few passages of Scripture that give light on what it means to have true spiritual character, of which your thoughts, actions, and communication will derive:
- 1 Timothy 4:12 says," Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
- Philippians 4:8 tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." I'd say that this is real Christian chat!
- Galatians 5:22-23 itemizes true spiritual character, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (self-control): against such there is no law."
- Colossians 3:12-15 goes into more detail, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forebearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also, ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
- Romans 13:14 commands us, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."
- Proverbs 10:9 says "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known."
- Titus 2:7-8, it tells us, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." And finally in:
- Romans 12: 1-2 we are given the mandate, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."
christian chat relays the gospel message
You and I are children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Just in knowing that, and understanding your position in God's kingdom as His child and elect surely must give you such joy, peace, hope, and the encouragement to live out your life for Him in every way possible! I know it does for me. Therefore, the way you speak in Christian chat; your forms of communicating to others, should always be that which honors and glorifies the Lord.
A believer may have various opportunities in a day, week, or month for Christian chat--to witness to others, telling them about salvation and the love of God. You too may find this to be true for you. You will want to make sure that every place you go, and with every person you meet, that you are willing and ready with the Word of God in your mind, heart, and soul, to speak about what He has done for you in your life, and about His biblical truths to those who are lost without a Saviour.
The Bible speaks on the importance of spreading the good news of the gospel to those who have yet to hear and be saved. You can have this influence in your everyday witness by speaking on various issues and concerns within your Christian chat of the Scriptures. The following passages will help make this point clear:
- Psalms 96:3 says to, "Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people."
- Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus taught, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
- 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 says, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you."
- Romans 1:16-17 proclaims, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
- Matthew 24:14 reveals to us, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then the end shall come."
- Romans 10:13-14 reminds us, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"Lastly,
- Ephesians 5:1-2 gives encouragement, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour."
It's not hard to see the impact your communication can have on others and should not be taken lightly when you are trying to point unbelievers to Christ. For this reason alone you and I must be so careful in what we say and how we say it.
In essence, reaching others for Christ should be your number one focus and priority as a believer. It is through your Christian chat that this may be accomplished. After all, when all is said and done, in the end we each want to hear our Lord's words in Matthew 25:23 as He will say,"...Well done, good and faithful servant; Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."!
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