A person’s reputation is important. It affects her reputation in the community and her ability to make a living. That is why we have laws in America against intentionally ruining a person or a business’s reputation. But there are no laws requiring us to promote another’s reputation. As Christians, we promote someone’s good name—even if we disagree with them—because the Lord requires it of us.
The Ninth Commandment says that “you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Ex. 20:16). That language might seem unfamiliar to you. What does it mean to bear false witness? The Westminster Shorter Catechism (Q&A 77–78) tells us that this commandment not only forbids us from hurting our neighbor’s good name (and our own) but requires us to promote our neighbor's good name.
This commandment is especially important for us in a social media age. Social media puts a megaphone before our sin. We can sully a person’s reputation across the globe—and do so in a matter of minutes. It encourages us to speak rashly about whatever comes to mind. It removes us from the wisdom of Christian brothers and sisters that might slow us down. You can see why this makes the issue of bearing false witness much more pressing.
Here are a few tips for taming our (virtual) tongues and protecting our neighbor’s name on social media:
1. It is generally not a good idea to criticize people or groups on social media.
When we call out a person or group of people on social media, we are bearing witness against them—whether that witness is true or false—and the whole online world is our jury. And the vast majority of the time, our witness will not measure up to the standards of truth required to make such indictments. We are told in James 3 that many should not presume to be teachers—and this has implications for social media punditry—in part because we all “stumble in many ways” (James 3:2). This should humble us before we begin to confidently condemn others.
Let’s say I post on Facebook that a certain prominent atheist hates Christians. In order for this to be true, it must be true in every respect. Am I an authority on this matter? Have I read or heard all relevant statements? Did this prominent atheist actually say that she hates Christians? Am I engaging in guilt-by-association? Do I know her heart?
Friends, do you see how high the bar is? If I cannot answer each of these questions with 100 percent certainty, then I am bearing false witness and not promoting my neighbor’s good name. Is it worth impugning someone’s character if it may compromise my own? Worse: is it worth calling someone’s character into question if it may compromise our witness to the world about the behavior God expects of his people?
2. If you feel a criticism must be made, examine your heart and your words.
Let’s say that you can answer all of those questions in the affirmative. Let’s say you have been hurt by a Christian movement which adheres to questionable beliefs, and you want to warn your fellow Christians. You should still examine yourself first. Psalm 139:4 reminds us that the Lord knows our every thought before it meets our tongue. And Psalm 51:6 reminds us that God "delights in truth in the inward being.”
We all like to think that we have righteous motivations, but is this true? Are you genuinely trying to protect people? Do you have a realistic chance of doing so through this medium? Are you pursuing vengeance against those who hurt you? Is there any benefit to warning people on social media rather than in person? Are you starting an online conflict that will confuse rather than clarify? Are you speaking the truth in all respects?
As a rule, don’t post anything of consequence until you have given it thought, and perhaps even sought counsel on how best to communicate the issue. Test your thoughts with those you consider wise. This will allow you to slow down and filter yourself in a way that social media cannot.
3. Remember that you can’t take your comments back.
Returning to James, we are told “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” (James 3:5). You create a fire by which you think truth might be known, but instead burn down the whole forest. How much more so in the age of social media!
If you unfairly malign someone’s character on social media, you are not only wrong, but you are pervasively and permanently wrong. Let’s compare this to bearing false witness before the time of social media. Perhaps you hear that a deacon in the church is acting in unwise ways with a woman who is not his wife and you proceed to tell someone that this deacon may not be faithful to his marriage. As a result, people call for this deacon’s resignation.
You shouldn’t be gossiping anyway, but let’s say this rumor was also totally unfounded. In order to make amends with this deacon, you might first apologize to him and also publicly apologize to the congregation for your gossip. You could commit anew to promoting the deacon’s good reputation.
On social media, your admission of guilt will never circulate through all the same pathways as your false witness. There will always be those who hear your charge but not your repentance. In addition, even if you erase your false remarks, they will still always have a digital imprint. What can you offer as amends in such a case?
4. Only post on social media with Christ’s mercy in view.
When Jesus bore his accursed cross in your stead, he nailed your every trespass to it (Col. 2:14). In his public and permanent demonstration of profound mercy, he not only cleansed you of your sin but credited his righteousness to your account (2 Cor. 5:21). You are now known by his name—the name above every other name (Phil. 2:9). If then, Christ has shown you such mercy, make the promotion of your neighbor’s good name your aim.
