The Book of Proverbs is a collection of pithy sayings of general wisdom, most of which is agreeable to even people who think little of a life of faith. Not intended to be a strict set of do's and don'ts, it promotes general principles of wisdom that shape a life of wisdom.
Given that so much of what is posted online is unwise, including things you post and things that I post, what if we ran posts through the grid of Proverbs before hitting "Update"?
1:10 My child, if sinners try to entice you,
do not consent!
Clickbait ("you won't believe what happens next...") has the sole purpose of generating revenue for advertisers. "What kind of farm animal are you" quizzes collect your personal information. And of course, there's the enticement of X-rated sites, which actually help feed the human trafficking industry!
3:3 Do not let truth and mercy leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Don't toss truth or mercy when you post, respond, or debate. Rather, write them on your tablet. ;-)
3:31 Do not envy a violent man,
and do not choose to imitate any of his ways;
Social media can be some of the most violent spaces you'll inhabit in a given day, because people can be anonymous or miles away when they post.
5:15 Drink water from your own cistern
and running water from your own well.
The context of this proverb is marital fidelity. The imagery is plain enough. Emotional affairs over the Internet are still forms of drinking from another's cistern.
6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
observe its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
overseer, or ruler,
8 yet it prepares its food in the summer;
it gathers at the harvest what it will eat.
Log off Facebook and go to the grocery store!
9:7 Whoever corrects a mocker is asking for insult;
whoever reproves a wicked person receives abuse.
8 Do not reprove a mocker or he will hate you;
reprove a wise person and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise person, and he will become wiser still;
teach a righteous person and he will add to his learning.
How many fruitless arguments have you gotten into? Why were they fruitless? In part, because the deck is stacked against Internet debates ever being fruitful - usually, one or both of the participants is a mocker, not a true debater. Those rare times when the people are wise and actually open to being instructed, however, can be quite fruitful for all.
10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension,
but love covers all transgressions.
What's your attitude? Because your words will come from your attitude. Will your attitude stir up dissension or cover someone's else's imperfections?
10:19 When words abound, transgression is inevitable,
but the one who restrains his words is wise.
More is not necessarily better. You don't have to have the last word!
11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
People who are generally humble can become annoyingly arrogant online.
12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own opinion,
but the one who listens to advice is wise.
Of course you think what you said is right. Otherwise you wouldn't have said it. You are right ... in your own opinion.
12:16 A fool’s annoyance is known at once,
but the prudent overlooks an insult.
You really don't have to respond to every verbal attack. No ... really ... you don't have to.
13:17 An unreliable messenger falls into trouble,
but a faithful envoy brings healing.
Ummm ... did you check the truth of that before you reposted? I don't care how much you agree with it ... if it's not true, then you're agreeing with a lie! And now you're spreading a rumor.
14:15 A naive person believes everything,
but the shrewd person discerns his steps.
"I saw it on the Internet, so it must be true." (Especially if it says what I already want to believe.)
14:17 A person who has a quick temper does foolish things,
Yup.
14:29 The one who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.
Yup, yup.
15:1 A gentle response turns away anger,
but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
I have seen this time and time again ... find the common ground, find the positive in the other person's statement, compliment their good attitude even if you don't agree with that they said, and you'll be amazed at how much better the conversation goes.
15:4 Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree,
but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit.
Sticks and stones and words break my bones and my spirit. And yours.
15:32 The one who refuses correction despises himself,
but whoever hears reproof acquires understanding.
Wow - refusing correction is a form of despising yourself! Let that sink in (unless you despise yourself).
16:28 A perverse person spreads dissension,
and a gossip separates the closest friends.
What damage are you doing to someone else's relationships by what you say?
16:32 Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior,
and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city.
Wanna be a hero?
17:14 Starting a quarrel is like letting out water;
stop it before strife breaks out!
I have opened that plug in the water tank way too many times. You can't ever put that water back in through the spigot.
18:1 One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires;
he rejects all sound judgment.
This should be taped to every guy's computer screen. And perhaps all the gals', too.
18:13 The one who gives an answer before he listens -
that is his folly and his shame.
Of course, you've never done this, right?
18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
Death and life. You have the power to bring both.
I could go on with the rest of the chapters, but I'm already in danger of violating 10:19.
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