Christians are commanded to love and speak the truth; they have no right to accuse another person of presenting a false statement without good cause.  The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men” (Philippians 4: 5).

Thanks to technology, we can react or reply quickly to articles, discussions, and videos, whether news articles or on social media. When these opportunities arise they present options for affirmative and negative responses.  For Christians these responses call for biblical discernment; and why specifically for Christians?  The answer relates to the possibility that we may present an overly critical spirit or of usurping a prerogative that is possessed by God alone.

When reading articles or news reports it is possible that unkind criticisms are made in the process of disagreeing with opinions. Communicating negative or contrary thoughts that are not addressed by authors can become judgments in an area known only to the authors.

Unkind criticisms can include personal attacks that accuse authors falsely, that are snarky, ridicule, include name calling, and more.  These responses are not consistent with a loving spirit that should express truth in love.  Truth may be involved but with a side dish of a harsh spirit.  Of course, it is possible that we may not present truth at all, but only a critical or negative response.

Perhaps in a more serious sense presumptuous negative projections are assumed of thoughts or words.  Here are two definitions for presumptuous negative projections:

• “Projection is a psychological defense mechanism that involves undesirable traits, feelings, or impulses to other people. For instance, someone who is dishonest might accuse others of being dishonest, thereby shifting attention away from their dishonesty.”
• “Projection is a type of psychological defense mechanism in which a person, consciously or unconsciously, attributes their own thoughts, feelings or traits onto another person or group. For example, someone who is unable to express anger at another person may think that the other person is angry at them instead.”

When projecting on another’s comments or words, it essentially misquotes or miscites what was written, twisting it beyond recognition from what was intended.  As such, the responses falsely judge the other party.  They might accuse the other party of lying, which may be a false presumption, regardless of what was communicated.

Christians are commanded to love and speak the truth; they have no right to accuse another person of presenting a false statement without good cause.  The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men” (Philippians 4: 5).

When projecting negative attributes onto another person’s thoughts, this usurps the prerogative God alone possesses.  None of us can truly know the heart or mind of another. By attributing our own thoughts, feelings, or traits on another, we are judging that person’s inner soul.

A couple of examples might help.  Two major issues currently facing the church are race and sex.

In a recent post, a commentator wrote, “American slavery was multi-racial citing historical census records and statistics that slave owners of Black slaves represented Whites, Blacks, and Native Americans.” All three races were implicated, not just one.  Someone responded to this proposition, “That’s a lie. You are a racist.”  This respondent resorted to negative name calling and accusations without providing any evidence for denying the proposition.

In another post, a commentator expressed his position that the biblical view of marriage is between one man and one woman, and as a consequence disapproved of homosexual relations.  A reader responded by accusing the commentator of hate speech and homophobia.  By accusing the commentator of homophobia, they were judging that person’s thoughts, his inner spirit, a prerogative that belongs to God alone.

There are many other possibilities for disagreement touching on politics, morals, and social policies.  Sadly, Christians treat one another similarly when opinions are expressed that communicate what another person disagrees with.

I confess that in response to false and presumptuous accusations or name calling, I have responded at times in a manner that was not in keeping with Christ’s command to us.  While writing this article, I providentially read Psalm 19 that very morning and was convicted of those times I responded without love and care.  At the end of the Psalm, David focuses on hidden faults and presumptuous sins.  The following words relate to our present online responses to others.  Appling this prayer and its principles to our lives and responses would prove fruitful:

Who can discern his errors?  Acquit me of hidden faults.
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.  (Psalm 19: 12-14)

It’s incumbent on believers to be biblically discerning by avoiding “presumptuous sins” in all circumstances, but especially in our public communications in media.  This is God’s will for us.

Helen Louise Herndon is a member of Central Presbyterian Church (EPC) in St. Louis, Missouri. She is freelance writer and served as a missionary to the Arab/Muslim world in France and North Africa.