WHY CORRECTING PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA IS RARELY EFFECTIVE
PROVERBS 9:7-9
PROVERBS 9:7-9 NKJV
7 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
OBSERVATION:
These verses may help you understand why trying to correct someone on a social media platform is rarely effective.
Do not correct a scoffer; it will get ugly. The word shame implies disgrace or being dishonored. It refers to the condition of being put on display in mockery. Also, if you correct a scoffer, one who mocks and scorns, you will not persuade him. He will hate you.
But if you correct a wise person, you will get a completely different response.
A wise person will love the one who corrects them. Because a wise person knows that if you want to become wiser, you will need more than affirmation. To a wise person, correction may not feel good, but it will cause growth and an increase in wisdom.
A wise person is more interested in growth than they are in protecting their self-esteem. A wise person will listen so that they can learn. It's good to encounter wise people.
APPLICATION:
This proverb helps us understand why there is so little wisdom available on social media.
As a church, we are on many platforms, and I have encouraged our media team to be very judicious regarding their responses.
If someone has a legitimate question or appeal open to interaction, they will engage. If they are mockers, scorners, and boasters, then steer clear.
As for me personally, I have stayed away from all social media platforms. I did try Twitter years ago for about three months, but it was consuming too much thought time.
I try to live by the advice we read in yesterday's devotional. I don't concern myself with great matters or things too profound for me. I prefer to calm and quiet my soul.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me be someone who looks for solid, godly correction. I want to become a wise person.