Love or expose

What do we say on social media?  Why do we say what we say?  Do we think about the people we mention?  Do our words become gossip?  Do they give rise to malice?

Personally, I felt challenged while studying Luke 11:17 with some friends.  We were considering Jesus' words "every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls", when our study guide asked how that applies to our home and our fellowship.  I thought about that more broadly, and some of the things that Christians have been discussing on internet social media.

Things like Joel Osteen's beliefs about homosexuality.  Like Rick Warren assimilating Islamic doctrine with the Christian faith.  Like Brian Houston's income and tax-fringe benefits.  (I am guilty for having discussed this last one on my blog.)

Why do we talk about these things so openly?  Are we jealous of these celebrities?  We shouldn't be.  Are we exposing something sinful publicly?  (If so, then we shouldn't.  We should confront the person privately first, then bring it before the elders of the church, but not to the world-wide public.)

Is it because these guys are false teachers and the Church needs to be warned about them?

Is it because we do not realise the potential damage we cause in the public discussions that we have?  Maybe somebody outside the Church started on a topic, and Christians continued it by forwarding, liking it or sharing it.

Maybe we might have been more sensitive if the issues were brought up at church, or if the contact had been more personal, but we have not been as careful on internet social media.

Or maybe, because these guys are such big celebrities, and we are so used to every media trashing celebrities that we joined in.

Maybe the ethics of the issue were worth bringing to public light and discussing that we have been doing so - without realising the harm we heap on those people and on the Lord.

Or might it be some other reason?

What do you think?

Should sin be brought to light?  Or hidden to protect the sinner?  How much of each should we do?  What is the right balance, if there needs to be a balance?  How do we handle these, and other similar issues well, as people who wish to honour God?

Does it hurt God and the Church's credibility to discuss such things in public?  Does it hurt more if we didn't?  How does love play into these issues?