Blogging to God's glory
Here were a few parts which were especially challenging to me:
Christians might blog on a variety of topics and for a number of reasons, but they share one common goal:
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31)
If God wants us to eat and drink for his glory, He certainly wants us to blog for the same reason. That means God has something to say about our content, attitude, and motive in blogging.
It's not hard to find blogs that are filled with foul language, pornographic material, and useless information. But as Christians, we're commanded to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8). That includes quite a bit. What it doesn't include is saying whatever I feel like saying, rehearsing how lousy I feel, wallowing in self-pity, or stirring up unnecessary controversy. God says we'll be held accountable for every word we speak — and blog.
If you're going to write a blog, write about something that matters. Unless you don't expect anyone to read what you're saying, ask yourself if what you're writing will serve your readers in any way. It might be funny or serious, your own reflections or thoughts from others. Your blog might simply point to resources, books, or music that has encouraged you. But the content should in some meaningful way bring glory to God.
........................................
Fortunately, God gives grace to overcome our sin. But if we don't acknowledge it, we'll never be able to repent from it. Here are some possible signs that I'm blogging for my own glory:
- I start a blog because all my friends have one
- I enjoy seeing my name in print, especially on someone else's blog
- I'm crushed by criticism
- I'm flippant in criticizing others
- I check my visitor counter every hour
- My emotional state is related to the number of people who visit my site
........................................
The two motives we are called to fight here are bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. Bitter jealousy is grieving that I don't have what someone else has — a cooler site design, more links, more comments, more visitors. It's when I only want God to be glorified through ME, and don't naturally rejoice when he chooses to use someone else.
Selfish ambition is similar to bitter jealousy, only more blatant. I want to be approved, applauded, admired. I want people to say kind things about me, whether or not I actually deserve it. I fear any kind of correction or feedback because it appears as though I've said or done something wrong. At root, selfish ambition is challenging God for the right to be worshiped. Sadly, it can motivate what we write.
God tells us that these sins are "earthly, unspiritual, and demonic." I have to admit, I typically don't think of my desire to be noticed in such radical, harsh terms. But then, I never see my sin like God does. As one Puritan said, "You see more defilement in my duties than I ever saw in any of my sins."
God's solution is simple, but impossible apart from the work of the Savior in our hearts. Be humble. Be wise. Be "pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17). That kind of blogging will bear fruit for eternity for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Related: Boundless also has a great article "Blog Responsibly." I appreciated the part on the wisdom of counsellors and accountability when blogging. This is one thing I would highly recommend. My husband is a great counsellor for my blogging endeavors. Much of what is written here is a result of conversations we've had and his encouragement that I blog about it (I very often hear his encouragement, "You should blog about that!"). Most of the time, if I will write an especially passionate entry on a "hot-button issue," he serves as my editor before it ever goes on my blog. I want his stamp of approval and blessing on everything I do. There is great freedom in this. My blog is a reflection of my husband and I want him to be honored in and through it.
posted by Crystal Paine at 6:51 AM
9 Comments:
Hello! This is something that I've thought about a lot recently. I just helped publish the first issue of a new publication which contained articles without the authors' names revealed. We chose to have the publication anonymous for several reasons. Some you posted today. If we truly are seeking to "do all to the glory of God" then we ourselves should seek none of that glory. We, as women, should really pray about what we are presenting on our blogs and why. We need to remind ourselves daily that it is not about us, it is about God.
This is a well needed reminder, and boy am I guilty these things. I think I ought to print that article out and tape it to my computer screen!
This is a wonderful article and a good reminder about why we are even here. I especially liked "At root, selfish ambition is challenging God for the right to be worshipped"
I heard this yesterday. "Unknowing to us we have no idea how many times everyday God overlooks our faults and sins".
Thank you Crystal for another challenging and inspiring read!
Amen! This is something I've been pondering as I've started my blog. I realized that I referred to it as "my own way to prattle." WAIT! I don't have time to just babble if no one is going to listen...I might as well write about things people NEED to hear....Thank you for posting this, you put some of my thoughts into words!
i deleted all my blogs :)
AGodlyHomemaker: I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing! However, if that's how God is leading you, than I rejoice in His leading!
Crystal - I've always admired how you involve your husband in your blogging and get his input, advice and direction. It has encouraged me to do the same with mine!
i had 4 blogs( yes 4!) and i realized that i was writing in hopes of getting comments. not that i wrote about trivial things but that i was hoping i'd get "noticed". i deleted them all . i have started a new blog www.whatgodprovides.blogspot.com but will only write what God directs and not discuss my family or any "fluff".
Good reminders. I always get off track in content when I get sidetracked by blog envy, what you call bitter jealousy. When I remember my mission, I'm thrilled that I can discuss important topics with people who do not yet believe as I do, and it wouldn't matter if there was only one as long as she was getting a better idea of what God is really like.
I have always been a little discouraged at my propensity to selfish ambition, but the other day He encouraged me with this: ambition, when submitted to Christ, becomes servanthood (Mark 10:35-45).
Post a Comment
<< Home