The Right Filter

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15

One of the original intentions of social media was to connect people who were far away from one another. Unfortunately, it has become a tool in the hands of many to say things they would not otherwise say to someone in person. No matter the environment, either in person, social media, or the telephone, when someone says something that may be found insulting to some, does it help to respond with an insult – to repay wrong for wrong? It typically fuels the fire and before you know it, relationships crumble. God has much to say about how we are to conduct ourselves as believers. Elsewhere in this chapter we are to hold people in the highest regard (v. 13), encourage the timid, and help the weak (v. 14), we are also to, “Rejoice always, pray continually [and] in everything give thanks;” (v. 16-18). Before a word leaves our mouths, let us filter it through the Word of God–does it tear down or build up?

​What is the filter you use to guard yourself from repaying evil for evil?