To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7b, NKJV)
This verse should be able to speak for itself, but you know me--I have to say something anyway. As human beings, some of us are way too prone to speak up and vent our feelings and opinions on any and every subject. And some of us never speak up or don't when we should.
To me there's something just wrong about spewing our guts out on public media. Yes, you might have privacy settings--but maybe someone who responds has their settings on public. What do you think happens? Yep, the whole world soon knows what you intended for your own small circle to know or see.
On the other hand--sometimes there are issues where we should speak out--child pornography, sexual slavery (or any slavery), drug or alcohol addiction, bullying, hacking, hate crimes . . . and the list goes on. But choose your issues wisely. Take stands on issues important to you.
I don't believe God calls us to be constantly negative--which can happen if we aren't careful. "Taking stands" can degenerate into name-calling and hating. God doesn't want us to cut anyone down--He calls us to build. To lift. To encourage. To help.
One good way to stop spewing instead of standing is to pray before we speak. Soooooo.....
Lord, please take the reins so that we don't go racing off in directions not helpful or uplifting. Guide us past the time when we are tempted to speak (or yell) when we should be quiet and listening. Sit with us and hold our tongues when we should be silent. May all that we do bring glory to You alone, dear Lord. Amen.
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