Q: How do I tell a Christian friend that her profile page is gross?
Thursday, May 20th, 2009 at 8:00 PM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com
A:
First off, congratulations for wanting to be a responsible Christian friend, a true friend tells the truth always and forgets flattery. "I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people." (Romans 16:17-18, NIV)
Do understand that you are taking a huge risk by telling your friend the truth about her profile page. Your friend could become humbled and listen to your concern or she could get very upset and not want to be your friend anymore. Your friend could also turn against you and start dirty rumors about you with others who share her views...so be prepared for anything to happen.
Don't be too hard on your friend, tell the truth in love, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace...Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:1-3;32, NIV)
We live in the world and there are unGodly things everywhere, but as a Christian, we should not be glorifying these types of behaviors or things. Jesus prayed in John 17, "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world...Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name...I have given them Your Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that You
take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one... Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth." (NIV)
Our social networking profiles are a reflection of who we are and what we value in life. Bottom line, when we profess Christianity but maintain gross profiles, we are being a poor witness for Christ and the condition of our heart / mind is under serious question.
Sometimes in 'Christian circles' people like to use the buzzword "judgmental" to discourage other Christians from speaking out against sin. Out of the abundance of your heart you speak (or in this case post) so know that it's alright to be offended by vulgarity and have peace that you spoke the truth in love to a friend. God is proud of you!
Stay strong! RUTH
* This is an excerpt from the book InTheTimes.com Q&A by Ruth Tynes. Copyright 2008. It may not be reprinted or posted without written permission from the author. Please contact for reprint permission.
tags: tween pre-teen teen young adult girl magazine web site blog e-zine christian faith-based biblically-based, q&a question and answer, advice tips ideas, friend friendship fellow Christian gross vulgar obscene disrespectful lewd immodest social network networking profile page
)