Pulpit Magazine

(By Nathan Busenitz)

Today’s post concludes our 4-part series on blogging in a Christ-honoring way. From the outset, we have been addressing the question, What principles should guide Christians as they interact on blogs?

9. Choose Your Battles Carefully

Fights always draw a crowd. And in the blogosphere, it seems there is always a fight going on somewhere. Sometimes the issues are important; often they are not.

Those who fight all the time, especially about petty issues, tend to earn a reputation for themselves as being contentious (Prov. 26:21), pugnacious (1 Tim. 3:3), or divisive (Titus 3:10). I know of a few individuals who might even think these descriptors are compliments. But Scripture wouldn’t agree. After all, “keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel” (Prov. 20:3; cf. 17:14). Thus, Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their quarrels (1 Cor. 1:11; cf. 2 Cor. 12:20), as did James with those to whom he wrote (James 4:1–2).

In advising Timothy on how to handle disagreements in his church (at Ephesus), Paul wrote:

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. (2 Tim. 2:22–26).

I believe this passage is applicable to blogging on several levels.

First, notice what Timothy was called to pursue (v. 22) – righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who were fellow believers. We should do the same, per point 7 (discussed on Friday).

Second, notice what Timothy was to avoid (v. 23) – “foolish and ignorant speculations.” Instead of spending his time in unprofitable debates, Timothy was to focus on what mattered – the truth of Scripture. As John MacArthur explains in his commentary on 2 Timothy:

In this Timothy passage, Paul makes clear that he is not speaking about responsible discussion of Scripture and theology, either with the unsaved or among believers. He rather forbids speculations, fruitless and unproductive debates that produce quarrels. Such speculations not only are worthless but are ungodly. They question Scripture, distort the truth, create doubt, weaken faith, undermine confidence in the Lord, often lead to compromise of convictions, and produce quarrels. Earlier in this chapter, the apostle commanded Timothy to “solemnly charge [believers] in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers” (v. 14).

Paul gives almost identical counsel to Titus, warning him to “shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless” (Titus 3:9). Any church member who persists in such “unprofitable and worthless” behavior is to be severely disciplined. “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,” the apostle continues, “knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned” (vv. 10–11).

Third, notice how Timothy was to behave (v. 24) – he was to teach the truth in a way that was not quarrelsome, but was marked by kindness, patience, and gentleness. Certainly, Timothy was to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3), but he was to do so in a way that was honorable and above reproach.

Fourth, notice what Timothy’s goal was to be (vv. 25–26) – the repentance of those who opposed him. In dialoguing with those who disagreed Timothy was not only to guard the truth (2 Tim. 1:14), but also to lead those in error to repentance. He was to win people (not just arguments). I believe the flavor of many online “debates” among Christians would dramatically change if this end goal were sincerely embraced.

To sum up briefly, Paul’s words to Timothy provide helpful parameters for dealing with other Christians online. 1) Seek to edify. 2) Don’t waste time debating unimportant issues. 3) Be gracious. And 4) work hard to win people.

As a corollary to this, the question was asked on Friday as to whether or not blogging is a useful medium for engaging non-Christians with the gospel. On the one hand, blogging has many limitations, which (in my opinion) make it a less preferable medium for evangelism. But, on the other hand, we are called to always be ready to make a defense for the hope that is in us (1 Pet. 3:15). If the opportunity to share Christ arises, we should be good stewards of that opportunity.

We must remember, again, the goal is that those with whom we interact might be brought to repentance. They should not be treated as our enemies, but as our mission field.

10. Maintain the Family Honor

Growing up, the phrase “Maintain the Family Honor” was one my dad employed often – usually as a parting word of wisdom to my brother and me as we went off to spend time with friends. Over time it got shortened to “MFH,” but we always knew what it meant: Don’t do anything stupid that would bring shame to the family.

As those who have been adopted into God’s family (Rom. 8:13–17), we are likewise called to maintain the family honor. We are to be a fragrant aroma to God (Eph. 5:2); and salt and light in a dark world (Matt. 5:13). We are to walk in love as Christ walked (Eph. 5:2), recognizing that the world will know us by our love for one another (John 13:35). We are to exhort one another (Rom. 14:15), encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11), edify one another (Rom. 14:19), and speak the truth to one another in love (Eph. 4:15). And we are to do all things for the glory of our King (1 Cor. 10:31).

There really is no need to belabor this final point, a point which (in reality) sums up all that has been written before. In everything we do, including blogging, we are to bring honor and glory to our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

If what you are about to say will bring disgrace or dishonor to the name of Christ, please don’t post it. When you do, you bring shame not only to yourself, but to all who call themselves Christian. Our prayer, as online representatives of Christ, should be that we would never do anything, by His grace, to bring reproach upon the matchless name of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Other Blogging Questions

This series has really only addressed the way in which we interact with others on blogs (both in our posts and comments). In large part, it has focused on the content, tone, and motivation of those who blog. But it has certainly not answered every question.

Many other issues could yet be addressed. For instance, Why and how should someone start a blog? How much time is appropriate to spend interacting on blogs? How can individuals and ministries most effectively use blogs? Should they really rely on blogs at all? Are blogs a legitimate supplement for local church instruction and Christian fellowship? And so on…

But, at least for now, I will leave those questions to be answered by other bloggers. For me, just doing this series has been challenging and convicting. Now the hard part begins — in trying to personally appropriate a standard I’ve just publicly proclaimed.

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