By Karen A. Bellenir

Many Christians know about the Ten Commandments. The first few talk about honoring God and the last five list things to not do. The ninth commandment says, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5:20, ESV*).

In answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus told one of his most famous parables, the story of the Good Samaritan (read it in Luke 10:29-37). Other New Testament passages further explain the kinds of talk Christ’s followers should avoid. Christians are exhorted to avoid being gossips, slanderers, and busybodies (see Romans 1:29-30, 2 Corinthians 12:20, and 1 Timothy 5:13). In addition, Jesus himself warned against insulting people and calling them names (Matthew 5:22).

In recent weeks, as people are spending more time at home due to the global struggle against the spread of the coronavirus, it seems that social media channels have become more active. These social media options help fill a gap in the human desire for connection by providing a way to talk with family, friends, and strangers when face-to-face interactions are not possible.

Maintaining connections is important, but the desire to strengthen ties through sharing posts may have outpaced people’s motivation or ability to verify the accuracy of posts they help distribute. I have seen quotes attributed to authors who did not write them. I have seen medical tips, including some that are dangerously erroneous, attributed to authorities who deny producing them. I have seen statistics quoted out of context and some that seem entirely fabricated. These are often accompanied by a heavy dose of gossip, slander, and insults. These types of false witness are especially problematic when they are sandwiched between posts identifying a person as a Christian because they present to the world the notion that to be a Christian is to be unconcerned with truth or even civility.

I’d like to offer a suggestion. Before you “like,” “love,” or otherwise share a post, check to make sure it is true. You can navigate to a purported source’s website and see if that source did indeed distribute the information. Look up the text of legislation being referenced and see if it actually says what is claimed. Conduct your own research and check facts. If you can’t independently verify something as true, don’t help distribute it.

If you want to share your own opinions, political or otherwise, please do. This is the hallmark of America’s cherished First Amendment rights. If you can do so while avoiding lies, gossip, slander, insults, and name calling, you’ll also be aligned with biblical instructions regarding how to best communicate.

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