Proverbs for Christian Blogging: Don’t Make Your Audience Throw Up

If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

I’m in your house right now*. Kind of creepy, eh? It’s okay you let me in. I’m not some creeper that slipped in unaware. I knocked on your door and you let me in. When you clicked on this link you decided that you would give me an audience in your home. I’m honored.

I’ll only stay in your house for a short time. I’ll make a couple of salient points then quickly leave your home, hoping that it was a good enough experience for you that you’ll let me into your house for coffee again.

But what would happen if after our meeting I knocked on your door again…loudly…and then again…and again…and once more. Each time that you let me in I either bring up a point that I forgot to mention OR I essentially say, “Remember that time we had that awesome conversation? How bout you let me back in your home?” 

This is what it feels like on Twitter/Facebook at times when dudes link to their article five to ten times per day. No matter how creatively you reword the title or pull quotes out of that article, whenever I click on it and it sends me back to an article that I’ve already read, my stomach starts to churn a little.

Here are a few “rules” that I’ve set up for myself:

• Link to an article once when it originally publishes and once later that evening so as to catch a different crowd, never more
• Don’t re-tweet someone else’s comment about my articles or book. Only time I do this is if it benefits the person tweeting it
• Don’t write more than three articles per day
• Don’t troll around other sites trying to pimp my articles
• Point to other peoples articles more than my own
• Make sure that over half my tweets, etc. aren’t simply links to my articles

How about you? Do you get a little sick to your stomach when you click on a crafty link that sends you back to an article that you’ve already read?

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*Or I’m in your office, your car, or any other place that you’ve decided to read this article. Hopefully not in the bathroom because that’s just weird for both of us.

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: Be Slow to Speak

“…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…”

The internet is not very conducive to obeying this command. When something goes viral it can be very tempting to be one of the voices in the crowd. If something is trending on Twitter all I have to do is write an article and put a # sign in there and immediately my blog will get an upswing in traffic.

Furthermore, there is a constant stream of vast amounts of material—most of it needing rebuked. Some things actually need a response. Most things only make us think that they need a response.

In the midst of all the noise God says to the Christian blogger, “let every [blogger] be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow and anger…”

Quick to Hear

To be “quick to hear” means to rapidly pursue listening. It means chewing on what another person has said. True hearing requires understanding—or at least an attempt to truly understand. If I cannot fairly represent what was just said then I have not truly listened to you.

Think about how this relates to the ridiculousness of many comment streams. A good host of the comments are taken up by those that did not truly hear the piece that was written. Then people respond (without truly hearing) to the dude that just commented after failing to hear the original piece.

My how the Christian slice of the internet would change if we lived out our redemption in this area!

Slow to Speak*

Most of us assume understanding. That’s why we start nodding our heads in agreement (or shaking our fists in disagreement) when the speaker is only a few words into his speech. Once we start nodding (or seething) we start formulating our own response. The internet is no different. We read a title, factor in the author, read a couple of lines and then assume that we know his/her argument.

To truly be slow to speak means that even though everything within us is crying out “Write a response to this dummy”, we intentionally slow ourselves down. Go ahead and type out of a rough draft. Get it all out. Throw it all up on your paper.

Then throw it away.

After you rewrite the article let it sit there for awhile. And as it sits there ask yourself with it really needs to be said. Can it wait a day? Can it wait a week? The more it sits the more you are able to choose your words more intentionally.

Slow to Anger

This fits with being slow to speak. Anger makes us want to give a quick response. It’s always a good idea to let a response post sit for time. You don’t have to give a quick response. Angry responses are usually quick responses. Save your anger for that which truly should evoke anger and not those sinful outbursts that we like to excuse as “righteous indignation”.

Listen, I understand the rules of the internet. I know that it moves really fast. I know that if you’ve written a really good and angry piece on the relationship between sin, #GaryColeman, #JustinBieber, and #KellogsCornFlakes, you need to get that bad boy out there before those dudes stop trending. I also know that you need to respond quickly in order to be seen as relevant. So…

I hear you.

I simply refuse to play by the rules if the rules are sin-inducing. I’d rather be irrelevant and holy than relevant and rebellious. James 1:21 is clear, blog accordingly.

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*It’s important to note that I am not advocating never posting a response to something that happens in that day. We just need to be wise in how we do it. It should be the exception and not the rule.

Grabbing Twitter by the Ears

Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

I’m convinced that Twitter has left many people smarting from wicked dog bites. Most of its ever flowing content is nothing more than a passing dog. Many, myself included, have tugged on this old passing dogs ears and gotten bit in response.

That’s the thing with grabbing a dogs ears.

You can really give yourself the impression that you’ve got this pit-bull mastered. You might even have a pretty sweet ride for a moment. But eventually he’s going to wiggle those ears free and he’s going to be ticked off enough to bite you.

With Twitter all it takes is holding down the Shift button and a strike of the @ button to convince yourself that you are significant.

But beware when you enter into a quarrel that’s not your own. You might ride it with joy for awhile but eventually your soul is going to get bitten. It might breed in your heart factionalism. Perhaps pride. Or if we’re lucky, God in His grace, will expose us for the posers that we are.

Of course this isn’t to say that there aren’t rabid dogs that ought to be grabbed by the ears and wrestled to the ground. But let’s be honest with ourselves, a good chunk of what we spend our time arguing about is nothing more significant than a passing dog. It only becomes a big deal because we were dumb enough to grab it by the ears to have a little fun or make a name for ourselves.

Next time you enter into a quarrel—even a little spat on Twitter—ask yourself whether or not it’s really a dog worth fighting*.

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*That’s not a shout-out to @MichaelVick.

Slow and Steady Builds Your Place

“An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.” Proverbs 20:21

A couple of years ago I watched a show that featured the story of Michael Larson.  Back in 1984 Larson figured out the pattern for the game show Press Your Luck.  He won an unprecedented $110, 237.  That was serious jack for ‘84.  It was over 5 times a persons annual income. 

CBS found out pretty quickly that he was cheating.  But they couldn’t do anything about it.  They paid him his money and parted ways.  For Larson, everything went downhill from there.  His ex-wife noted that his obsession with making a quick buck absolutely consumed him.  On one occasion he withdrew over $40,000 in one dollar bills to try to win a $30,000 prize.  Unfortunately for Larson somebody broke into his house and made bank with all those 40,000 $1 bills. 

Larson is a perfect illustration of Proverbs 20:21.  Quick growth in the beginning (though not always) usually leads to a bitter taste in the end.  Good growth tends to happen slowly and steadily over a long period of time.  The same thing is true with ministry and blogging. 

I noted awhile back that the speakers atT4G 2010, with the exception of Thabiti Anyabwile, had all been at their respective churches for over 15 years.  The same thing is true in the realm of blogging.  Consider this piece of advice from the interview that I conducted with Tim Challies:

Here's the thing: blogging can be a great joy if you are content to keep writing regardless of whether anyone else reads along. When you can do this, you can avoid being driven by the numbers of visitors and you can avoid the allure of writing very pragmatically, choosing what you write about only because you think it will generate buzz. If you can be content with blogging for an audience of one, you will find much more contentment in blogging for an audience of one hundred or one million.   

If you look at many of the faithful bloggers that we look up to they have the same thing in common with those on the T4G platform; namely, faithful plodding over a long period of time.  Michael Larson became obsessed with making a quick buck and he ended up living in exile and dying alone of throat cancer.  Be obsessed with following Jesus and being obedient to Him.  Write in such a way that people’s only boast will be Jesus Christ.  Then be content with 1 reader, 1 million readers, or anything in between.   

Slow and steady building upon the unshakeable Rock is far more beneficial than a swiftly erected mansion built upon sand.

Blogging and Water Torture

…a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain

I’ve never had to endure water torture, nor have I had to experience life with a quarreling wife.  I am blessed to have a tremendous and godly woman for a wife.  I’ve found something far more valuable than a mine of rubies.  But I have vaguely experienced the annoyance of a steady drip of water, or a rebellious and seemingly invisible cricket in the basement. 

Those might seem like minor annoyances but they are really symptoms of a much greater problem.  A steady dripping of water through your roof means that your going to be replacing your roof eventually.  Such a thing could even destroy the entire household.  Not to mention drive everyone completely insane with the noise of a constant drip. 

I well remember an episode of Mythbusters were they tested whether or not it really was torturous to endure the constant dripping of water:

Sometimes scrolling through my Google Reader and the SBC Voices aggregator feels like that.  Quarrels and contentions about some of the dumbest and most asinine things. 

Actually I should say that it used to feel like that.  I seldom check the aggregator (only occasionally am I drawn into a train wreck) and I’ve unsubscribed to almost all of the blogs that deal with negatives, controversies, and other articles that feel more like the constant drip of water torture than a steady stream from the fountain of grace.  I’d suggest you do the same.

The husband of a contentious wife is called to endure the quarreling.  To love her.  To nurture her.  To pray for her.  To find refuge in Christ alone.  And to hope for her finding abiding joy in Christ.  (As the same would be of a wife with a goober of a husband). 

But you don’t have to endure the constant dripping of annoying blogs.  Just unsubscribe.  Don’t concern yourself with holding a bucket under their spew or trying to fix the leak.  Eventually the house will flood itself.  No sense in standing by to watch.   

You probably know what blogs I’m talking about.  Just walk away.  “But they have influence and I want to help those that are being influenced”.  Fair enough.  But the people that enjoy the constant dripping of rain are pretty much insane anyways.  I’m not saying give up on them but they’ll only come out of such insanity through prayers and fasting not through your awesomely true and witty arguments.  Just let them live in the deluge and pray that they wake up to rescue. 

Meanwhile build up your own house and make sure it nurtured in such a way with the precious gospel that it doesn’t develop leaks.  Just as a husband wants to soak his wife in the water of the Word so a blog author needs to continually bathe his/her writing with the gospel. 

Blogging doesn’t have to be like water torture. 

Pat Robertson and The Benefit of Pondering

Last week Pat Robertson said some really dumb things.  (I responded.  But if you only read one article in response to Robertson, read Dr. Moore’s).  Robertson has sense (as I predicted) clarified his position and  let us know what he really mean to say. 

Aaron Armstrong has also made an excellent point in response to Robertson’s clarification.  As he notes, “Robertson should never have had to clarify his position in the first place”.  Had he heeded the numerous biblical warnings about the tongue then he would have not “given an off-the-cuff response to anything”. 

As I was reading through Proverbs this morning and thinking about how it relates to blogging I began thinking about Aaron’s article and the whole Robertson fiasco.  This Proverb especially struck me:

    The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
        but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
(Proverbs 15:28 ESV)

Think with me for a second about the “Ask Pat” segment of the 700 Club.  According to his retraction he, “on live television” simply “misstated” and “misspoke”.  What he was trying to say was that “adoption is not for everyone”.  Fair enough.  But here is the problem.  Those questions don’t just come in on the fly.  (And even if they did that would only prove my point more).  He has a chance to look over those questions before broadcast.  He either did and thoughtfully butchered his intentions or he decided that there was virtue in saying things off-the-cuff. 

I would put my money on the latter option.  It is common for those in the more charismatic and prosperity gospel leaning circles to put a great amount of stock in “on the fly” type of answers.  Apparently it’s better evidence that the Spirit is working and that the flesh isn’t present.  Something about preparation and thought always interferes with the Holy Spirit. 

Problem is that’s not what Scripture says.  According to numerous Proverbs we ought to give thought before we respond.  Fools and wicked people just let things fly off-the-cuff.  The wise and the righteous ponder how to answer questions. 

Lessons for Bloggers

In the world of Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and comments it can be very easy to type out quick responses to either sincere questions or asinine comments and articles.  The wise blogger refuses to respond too quickly. 

It would be far better to tell an inquisitor that you want to think on his/her question for a few days than to just simply respond off-the-cuff.  Of course there are times when we can respond quickly.  You ask me a question about Royals baseball and I probably don’t need to think on it for days.  But I want to be careful not to be so prideful as to think that I’m wise enough to host my own "Ask Pastor Mike” session where I don’t have time to give thought to my responses. 

Slow down in your responses.  I’d rather “ponder how to answer” than be the wicked fool that just pours out error. 

How to Not Host a Rotting Blog

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.  -Proverbs 14:30

Every morning several blogs, including Borrowed Light, will feature a list of recommended articles from the day before.  For a little guy like me making it on one of these lists will mean an instant boost in traffic. 

I normally get about 400-500 hits per day.  Not much, but it’s a steadily increasing number.  The few times that I have gotten a link from a certain blogger, whose name rhymes with Clem Tallies, my hit count went up to about 3000 for the day.  Not to mention gaining a handful of subscribers.  For an aspiring writer these links are important. 

One temptation that bloggers can face is to scan these recommendation links for a link to that super rad article that you posted yesterday.  (Little tip—using phrases like “super rad” in this century usually means you won’t make the list).  Every time your name is not present the temptation to envy can set in.  Why did that joker get a link but I didn’t? 

As soon as envy seeps into that little crevice in your brain from which all writing flows out of you might as well give it up and just go play Backgammon with your neighbors cat.  Envy will rot your bones.  Which of course means that it’s already rotted your flesh.  And everyone that has went to college with a guy that used to frequently set his hand on fire knows that burning flesh is really rank.  You get envy, you’ve got a stinky blog.

Envy makes you write for the wrong audience.  You start writing for the audience you wish you had instead of the audience that God has already graced you with.  You certainly don’t write for the joy of the Lord. 

And before you know it the precious audience that you did have begins to get nauseated by the smell of a rotting blog.  The life has been sucked out of your writing and so your audience begins to go where there is life.  As your numbers plummet bitterness ratchets up and your writing only gets worse.  Envy has made your blog rot into oblivion.  If, you want a rotting blog, become envious.

If you don’t want a rotting blog then you need grace to fight envy.  Here’s how:

1. Repent.  Envy is a sin.  Turn to Christ in faith and confess your sin of envy.  Get clean.
2. Love your audience.  That means your audience of One and the borrowed influence that He’s given you. 
3. Pray up.  Instead of trying to be Justin Taylor pray for him.  There are probably many days when Justin would desire a small corner in the world of the internet.
4. Trust the Lord’s sovereignty.  If you only have 7 people that visit your blog rejoice in them and trust that the audience He has given you is for your good and theirs.  In other words have a “tranquil heart”. 
5. Link to others.  And not just so you can get links back.  Fight envy with generosity.
6. Avoid a sense of entitlement.  You don’t deserve 1 person listening to you.  Influence you have is borrowed from Christ.  Enjoy whatever grace you’ve been given instead of bemoaning what you don’t have. 

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: Write with “Stumblers” in Mind

You’ve all met the guy that has a ton of theological knowledge but little experience in how to apply it.  He has a library of systematic theology, biblical studies, and “how to do ministry” books that is growing faster than a rabbit’s family after its wedding night.  Yet when it comes to needing counsel you’d probably rather talk with your drunken Uncle Jack because at least he’d understand what you are going through. 

For those that love knowledge and truth and facts and Bible Trivia it can be really difficult to also love a very basic principle: every truth is not fitting for every person or for every time.  This is why Proverbs 12:23 says

A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. 

Charles Bridges rightly comments on this passage that, “knowledge is a talent to be wisely, not promiscuously, communicated.”  Of course we are never to hide the precious truths of the gospel.  Gospel preaching is never to be closed for the season.  But there are some things of which it is quite prudent to conceal for a season. 

The Problem with Blogging

This truth creates a problem for blogging.  Whenever I hit “publish” on my Windows Live Writer, and my latest article makes its way to Al Gore’s basement only to then be jettisoned out into the world wide web for all to read, I have no control over who reads it.  I have a vague idea of my audience but for the most part I never really know who will read it. 

This can become problematic because not everything I write is meant for every person in my audience.  Take my recent article on Why I’m Opposed to New Calvinism.  That is meant for a very select audience.  There are people that could very easily stumble upon my blog and read that and be confused rather than helped.  While I mean it to be helpful to one slice of my audience it could actually stir up a sense of disunity within other spheres of my influence. 

This problem is even greater because almost every modern reader instinctively believes that they can handle everything that is written by every author.  If you can Google it you can handle it, is the assumption.  But that is simply not true. 

I’m not ready to read much of anything in the realm of astro-physics.  (I’m not even sure what Astro-physics is except for trying to understand the science behind the movement of the Jetson family dog).  In the same way there are certain theological concepts and discussions that are not meant for everyone.  Not that it’s hidden or there is some vast conspiracy to keep knowledge from you.  It’s just that there are a few prerequisites that you ought to read and grasp first. 

In sum, this is the conundrum.  Not every truth is fitting for every person or for every time.  Almost every modern reader assumes that today is the right season for his acquisition of this knowledge.  I can’t stop him from reading what I publish.  So how do I “conceal knowledge” when it is prudent to do so?  Should I shut down the blog even though it can be beneficial to a great number of people?  I don’t think that is the answer. 

A Small Solution

Though it may be difficult to actively “conceal knowledge” that may not be helpful for some readers, I can do a couple of things to apply this proverb.  First, I can diligently labor to not be the fool described in the latter half of the verse. 

Charles Bridges describes the fool well:

The fool however proclaims his foolishness.  He imprudently opens his heart.  He is dogmatical in dispute, when wiser men are cautious.  He is teaching, when he ought to take the learner’s place; his self-confidence proclaiming his emptiness.  Self-distrust and humility are most important, to enable us to improve the gifts of God for his glory.

I don’t want to simply write as fool who spews about with every passing thought that comes to my mind.  I want to be a careful blogger.  When I ought to take the learner’s place I want to humbly sit there.  When I ought to be cautious instead of dogmatic I want to be.  And at the same time in the things in which I ought to teach in and be dogmatic on I want to do with grace, passion, and humility. 

The second thing that I can do to follow this proverb is write with the “stumbler” in mind.  By “stumbler” I don’t mean the poor lad that stumbles into sin because of something he reads.  Although, I do want to avoid millstones around my neck that is not what I mean in this context.  What I mean by “stumbler” is the person that “just so happens to have stumbled onto my blog”. 

And let me tell you there have been some really weird “stumbles” onto Borrowed Light.  I get a good flow of traffic each month from people looking for “little kittens”, “cousin Eddie”, and “bitter old men”.  My goal is to write in such a way that the guy who finds my article on Cousin Eddie may also see the beauty of Christ as well.  So as I write every article I want to have the “stumbler” in the back of my mind. 

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: Avoiding the Temptation to Crush Heads

Enjoy this video:

 

This video proves that if you distance yourself just far enough from people and change your perspective just enough you can make yourself a giant and other people but tiny ants. 

I wish this poor chap was alone in his delusion.  But I fear we bloggers may give him a good bit of company.  It is no accident that bloggers have gotten a bad rap as those that don housecoats and live in their mothers basement and spend all their days straining gnats and swallowing camels.  Every blogger can be tempted to use lofty and dicing words to sit atop our throne and crush the heads of all those that aren't within close proximity of our theological camps.

It is to expected that the very tools of the trade—namely, words—can be used to either exalt Christ and build up other or to tear down and belittle.  Spend anytime in the world of blogs and especially comments and you will see numerous examples of belittling.  Spend a little time on a sports blog or political blog and you will see several “I’m crushing your head” type of statements. 

Yet Christian blogging must rise above this level.  After all Proverbs 11:12 reminds us that, "Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent."  Faithful bloggers will avoid "Crushing Your Head".  Faithful bloggers will view themselves accurately and those with whom they differ with respect and courtesy.  Faithful bloggers don't belittle.

What Must Be Present for Belittling to Occur

There are a couple of things that had to be present in order for the head crusher in the above video to accomplish his goal of belittling every passerby.  Those that desire to belittle will want to take note. 

First, you have to keep your distance from your opponent.  It's much harder to belittle someone that you have supper with.  Of course you still can belittle those that are close to you, but it is more difficult to do so without feeling the effects.  You can't squish your next door neighbor like a bug without getting your hands filthy with bug guts.  So if you want to be good at belittling others then by all means keep yourself a safe distance from those you wish to crush.

Secondly, in order to belittle someone you have to think of yourself as a giant and your opponent as an ant.  This directly rejects the admonition of Philippians 2:3 to "in humility count others more significant than yourselves."  When we belittle another person we are making them smaller than they actually are (often denying the work and image of God within them).  We also have to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to.  Both of these come from an inadequate view of God, as well as self.

Faithful blogging comes from acknowledging that the people we interact with are actually living, breathing, yard-mowing, teeth-brushing, water-drinking people just like ourselves.  They are no better than people.  But they are certainly not less. 

Faithful bloggers rub shoulders with their opponents and make every attempt to view them from up close and not hiding behind a bush so that they can fool themselves into thinking they are giants and their opponent and ant.  The only head-crushing that needs to go on in the Christian blogsophere is when believers stand behind Christ as he overturns the works of the devil and crushes the head of the serpent.  But he doesn’t do that as a delusional goon from behind a bush.  He gets close.  He looks death in the face.  And he crushes it for real.  Let’s follow suit. 

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: How to Have Something to Say Without Being a Fool

In my years of blogging I have read a fair amount of articles on how to create a successful blog that receives a steady flow of traffic.  One piece of advice that is always present on these “How to Be an Awesome Blogger” lists is that you need to write frequently.  If you want to become a better writer and a successful blogger you need to at least post something daily. 

Yet there is another piece of advice that in some form or another is always present on these lists; namely, you need to have something to say.  Any schmuck could post something on a blog daily.  Just as an schmuck can post to Twitter of Facebook 12 times in 15 minutes.  Unfortunately for schmucks nobody really wants to know updates on various bowel movements, your opinion on foreign cheeses, or your minute by minute opinion of the happenings on C-Span.  If you want an audience you need to give them something worthy of reading. 

There really is more at stake here than just being able to gain traffic.  Not only did Jesus say we would be judged by every idle word spoken, but we also have a helpful Proverb that encourages the restraint of the lips (and probably tips of your fingers tapping away at your mobile device). 

    When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
        but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
    The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
        the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
    The lips of the righteous feed many,
        but fools die for lack of sense.
(Proverbs 10:19-21 ESV)

The Faithful Blogger’s Conundrum

You have to write every day.  But you cannot just write anything.  It needs to be seasoned with grace.  It needs to be edifying.  If we want to avoid talking as fools then we will avoid being ranked among those that “talk for ever upon nothing” (Bridges, 102). 

Some 150 years before Al Gore invented the internet, Charles Bridges speaks well to the blogger’s task:

…it is surely our wisdom to refrain our lips…not indeed to silence, but in caution; to weigh our words before uttering them; never speaking, except when we have something to say; speaking only just enough; considering the time, circumstances, and person; what is solid suitable, and profitable.

In other words we probably should only write when we have something to say.  And when we do write we should say “only just enough” and not labor on and on.  Yet, there is still that pressing dictum POST SOMETHING EVERYDAY.  What is a faithful blogger to do?

The Blogger’s Resource

There are two things that will help you to have something to say without being a fool.  First, be a Christian.  That means that you have the “indwelling Word” and because of this “the mouth of the righteous man is a fountain of life” (Proverbs 10:11).  The Spirit of God works in the life of the believer to make his tongue “choice silver” and to help “feed many”.  If you are a believer in Jesus you have something to say, every day, because His mercies are new every morning. 

Second, keep a notebook.  Proverbs 10:5 says, “He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame”.  Also 10:14 says, “The wise lay up knowledge”.  Not every day will feel like summer.  Yes, you have the Spirit of God and yes, his mercies are new every morning.  But some days are wintery and blisteringly cold.  It’s hard to see and feel the sunshine on those days.  You need a notebook filled with July’s insights when life hands you December.  Work your tail off in July so that your December isn’t barren.

I want to give a few practical tips on that next time…

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: How to Tell If I Really Desire Wisdom

    Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
        and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
    Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
        reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
    Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
        teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
(Proverbs 9:7-9 ESV)

“You really shanked this article.  I’m surprised that the folks at your church aren’t gathering sticks as pyre for torching you for heresy”. 

“You know I’ve read through this article and either it is not making sense to me or I just cannot agree with it.  I think you are wrong and here are 74 reasons why…”

“Your comment is absolutely ignorant.  I can’t believe someone that calls himself a Christian and would say something so asinine” 

“Thanks for your comment.  I believe you have misrepresented my position and here are 5 reasons why.  Nonetheless, thanks for the comment.  I look forward to your response.  Grace”.

Regardless, of the level of truthfulness within or the tone underneath each of these statements how I respond to them has much to say about my desire for wisdom.  If I respond with intent to injure, hatred, and defensiveness then it is quite likely that I do not really desire wisdom.  I only want to be right.  I want to be worshipped not used as a humble servant of a King. 

Yet, if I respond (and not just pretend to respond because that’s what Proverbs says I’m to do but truly respond) with a desire to learn, grow, and a thankfulness for being sharpened there is a good chance that I really am pursuing wisdom. 

So, check your heart.  What does your response to other peoples response (whether a good rebuke or a jerky one) tell you about your desire to pursue wisdom? 

Now be nice in the comments…I couldn’t bear an insult. 

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: Wisdom is Better Than Traffic

    Take my instruction instead of silver,
        and knowledge rather than choice gold,
    for wisdom is better than jewels,
        and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
(Proverbs 8:10-11 ESV)

The “gold” and “silver” for a blogger is web traffic.  Even if you do not sell ads on your blog (which I do not) you write because you want to be heard.  Good writers write because they love the craft.  And there is a very real sense in which writers would write well and enjoy writing even if nobody read what they wrote.  But I think most every writer also wants an audience. 

Blogging On Every “Dust-Up”

Every couple of weeks there is some “dust up” that happens within the Christian quadrant of the internets.  Awhile back there was a “kerfuffle” in the SBC world (that spilled over into the secular society too).  Richard Land made some remarks about the Trayvon Martin case that were deemed as racist.  (Personally, I was against his comments and I have never been a huge fan of the ERLC).  For a couple of weeks, at least within the SBC, this was the big story.  If you wanted traffic you would have put the name “Richard Land” in your title. 

This blog remained silent on the issue.

Why?

Because I do not have enough wisdom in this matter to write well.  I could have drummed something up and I might have been able to make it intriguing, perhaps humorous, and maybe even semi-coherent.  Yet, I know that I would not have been blogging with wisdom.  Therefore, I remained silent and let those that can speak with wisdom to speak—and those that are just speaking fizzle themselves out. 

Blogging on the Big C

Not Cancer.  Calvinism.  You want hits—especially if you are frequent those within the SBC then put Calvinism in your title.  Sometimes, I will blog on Calvinism.  Why?  Honestly, I think I have something to say in this issue.  Others can probably say it better.  Many could say it with more wisdom.  But this is an area—though controversial--that sometimes I believe God can use me to provide perspective. 

Yet, even still I do not always join in the debates.  Especially in comment streams. 

Why?

Unfortunately, in this discussion personal opinion and emotionalism drives the bus far more than Lady Wisdom.  Sometimes it is akin to throwing your pearls before swine.  That may sound strong but I refuse to dance the dance with those that aren’t pursuing wisdom.  It could get me traffic to try to expose the ignorant ramblings of some Calvinist-haters or Arminian-bashers but at the end of the day who really cares?  I want wisdom more than I want traffic. 

Blog traffic is fleeting.  Wisdom endures even longer than precious jewels.  I think I’ll pursue the latter. 

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: The Battle for Faithful Blogging is Won Before You Touch the Keyboard

For the past couple days I have looked at Proverbs 7 from the perspective of which it is written: battling seduction from an adulterous woman.  (See here and here).  The central point that can be gathered from Proverbs 7 is that the battle against the seductive woman is not won on the streets but from the window.   Once that foolish guy was walking towards her house he was as good as dead.  If you want to battle inappropriate sex its a war that is waged long before you get into the heat of the moment. 

I believe that you can extend this principle to faithful blogging and commenting as well.  That is, in part, the reason for this series on Proverbs for Christian Blogging.  I believe that there is a very valid and helpful place for blogging in the life of the church.  I believe that even comments can be edifying and helpful to the body of Christ.  Yet, I also believe that we need to raise the bar on our interaction with one another—both in blog posts and in comments. 

I could probably ramble on for about 500 more words but I will spare you and myself.  If you want to be a faithful blogger then it’s not going to come by accident.  That battle is won long before you sit down at your computer and type out articles, comments, and tweets. 

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: Am I Sowing Discord?

    A worthless person, a wicked man,
        goes about with crooked speech,
    winks with his eyes, signals with his feet,
        points with his finger,
    with perverted heart devises evil,
        continually sowing discord;
    therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;
        in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.
    There are six things that the LORD hates,
        seven that are an abomination to him:
    haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
        and hands that shed innocent blood,
    a heart that devises wicked plans,
        feet that make haste to run to evil,
    a false witness who breathes out lies,
        and one who sows discord among brothers.
(Proverbs 6:12-19 ESV)

A wise husband studies and knows his wife.  He knows the things that she may be sensitive to.  He knows what “pushes her buttons” and he comes to know the things that would make her shed tears.  A good husband knows these things and does not do them.  He doesn’t just carelessly say, “Ah, this might hurt her feelings but oh well, it’s funny, it’ll get a laugh from the guys”.  No, a good husband doesn’t even take the chance.

One of the things that the Lord says that he abhors is “sowing discord among brothers”.  Notice in the list the six things he hates, seven that are an abomination.  This is a poetic way of highlighting the Lord’s hatred of one sowing discord among brothers.  Of course that begs a question, “what constitutes sowing discord”? 

From the context we know that this discord comes from a wicked heart that manifests itself in crooked speech.  The idea of one “going about, winking, signaling, and pointing” shows that this person has his aim to cause conflict, to exploit situations, and to gain personal advantage*. 

Just as I know my wife and want to be cautious and I never desire to cause her harm, so also I know that the LORD abhors the one who sows discord among brothers.  I want to be cautious not to be that guy.  I can probably cut out a good deal of discord sowing just by checking my heart before I blog or comment.  But at the end of the day I also know that my heart can be fooled.  So I ask three questions before writing an article that could be in the ballpark of sowing discord among brothers.

Three Questions for Articles I Write:

1. Is my goal to expose or shame a brother?  If we are talking exposing a wolf, then it’s not sowing discord.  Some people might be upset and accuse me of sowing discord because I say that the teaching of prosperity teachers is whack and that they are wolves in sheep clothing.  That’s not exposing a brother that’s telling your sheep to watch out for a wolf.  But there is a different type of “exposing” that goes on in some popular blogs.  They follow a typical formula.  Person X said “blah blah” but I’m not sure that he really believes that because he also said “blah blah”.  If I’m trying to expose some vast conspiracy or the heart and motivation of another person I’m probably off my rocker.
2. Am I trying to make my audience pick sides between two polarizing people?  I think I have at least bordered on guilt in this one in the past.  If I say something like John Piper teaches X, Joel Osteen teaches Y, and then ask who is more biblical?  I think I’m sowing discord.  If my goal is to say that Piper is biblical then I should just say that and not use the article to take a shot at Osteen.  If I think Osteen is teaching something against Scripture then I should compare him to Scripture alone and not throw Piper in there as well.  Because at the end of the day all that does is creates Piper followers and Osteen haters (or vice versa) and that’s not the goal. 
3. Am I misrepresenting somebody?  If I say that somebody believes something then I should be able to print off my article, hand it to them, and have them say, “yep, that’s what I believe”.  If I make logical jumps, inferences, etc. and say this is what you really believe no matter how many times he disagrees with what I think he said then I’m sowing discord because I’m causing a headache for a guy that doesn’t even hold a position that I am accusing him of. 

Three Questions for Commenting:

1. Am I engaging in a “dude did you see this?”  If I find an article of somebody dogging my friend, or another figure, its pointless for me to go to his website and then link to the guy that disagrees with him.  It’s just sowing discord.  It’s really no different than in your everyday life if you overheard gossip and then told your friend, “dude, do you know what Tom said about you”. 
2. Would I say the same thing with both parties present?  If my story would change and the way I represent one persons position then I’m sowing discord.  If I am bold in trashing a guy behind his back but not when he is there I should shut my yapper and stop sowing seeds of discord. 
3. Am I encouraging the online community to pit people against people or people against Scripture?  This is very similar to #2 above just in the realm of commenting.  If an article disagrees with Piper then it might be best to summarize his point and tell why you think he is more biblically persuasive rather than just saying, “Piper disagrees”, then providing a link.

At the end of the day a deluded heart will probably read through this list and say, “I don’t do that”.  I have a discernment ministry and I’m always exposing wolves.  A more humble heart will read through these and add caution to his/her blogging and commenting.  For me, if God says He abhors one who sows discord among brothers I am going to be pretty cautious about doing anything that may look like sowing these seeds. 

---

*I got that from my ESV Study Bible

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: Be Joyously Content With Your Own Portion

    Let your fountain be blessed,
        and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
        a lovely deer, a graceful doe.
    Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight;
        be intoxicated always in her love.
    Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman
        and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?
(Proverbs 5:18-20 ESV)

It may seem like a stretch to compare fulfillment within the sexual intimacy of marriage with blogging.  Yet, I do think there is a root issue that motivates both adultery and bad blogging.  That root is the failure to be satisfied with the portion that the Lord has given you. 

The man that refuses to “drink water from his own cistern” does so because he thinks the water somewhere else is going to taste better and be more fulfilling.  He has lost satisfaction in the well that the Lord has given him.  He has bought the lie that God is holding out on him and that tasting forbidden fruit will supply what he lacks. 

The same principle applies to the blogger that sells out for traffic.  Really bad and irresponsible blogging comes from a heart that is not satisfied with its audience.  The times when I have hit publish too soon (or when I should have not hit publish at all) came from an inordinate desire to be heard or noticed as opposed to a steady desire to be faithful. 

If you have seven followers, and four them are your mom signing in on different accounts, then be joyously content in the portion that the Lord has given you.  Be faithful with this little, keep plodding, keep proclaiming, and keep honing your writing skills.  If the Lord sees fit he might increase your number of readers.  But you could also tick off your mom and lose half your followers.  Regardless, your goal is to be faithful.  Be joyously content that God has given you the gospel and that you are used by him to articulate it—even if its to one dear soul. 

Don’t sell out.  Take joy in being faithful and keep on lifting up Christ.  Enjoy the ideas that the Lord is giving you.  Chew on them.  Let them penetrate your own life.  Be intoxicated in the gifts that He has given you and not enamored by the gifts that He has given to another dude.  Your well is your own to enjoy.  So enjoy it regardless of how deep it goes. 

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: The Necessity of Fixed Eyes and Guarded Hearts

It was my second concussion that was the most embarrassing.  It was a rainy Friday afternoon, when I finally had the opportunity to play football with the big boys.  (Of course, I’m not really sure that it was rainy—I was concussed, remember—but it sounds good anyways). 

Here I was 4’8, 12 years old, and finally playing football with my dad and his friends on lunch break.  Being the short kid all through elementary school (and even now in adult life) I know that I’m going to be underestimated until I prove myself.  In football I would never get a pass thrown my way until I could show my ninja skills by intercepting passes on defense. 

We had been playing for about 10-15 minutes and I still was getting very little action.  Then, it happened.  Nobody else must have been open.  The quarterback threw a pass my way.  I caught it and took off running like the wind (probably more of a minor breeze).  I was really gaining some yards, juking and spinning, and getting past all those older guys.  I was yards away from the touchdown, when all of a sudden I found myself at home on the couch. 

What happened you ask?  Did one of the big guys catch me?  Nope.  My foe was much more gangly and solid than any of my dads co-workers.  My demise came from a steadily rusting jungle gym.  (One of those things that is pictured off to the side).  I ran smack into that thing full speed.  It knocked me out and ruined my chance at stardom and my dad’s opportunity to eat his ham sandwich during lunch break. 

Here I learned what Proverbs taught years ago:

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. (Proverbs 4:25 ESV)

In other words if you are too busy juking and spinning and looking behind at the guys chasing you, then you’ll miss the rock solid jungle gym that is getting ready to smack you in the face. 

Focused Blogging

I have found blogging to be similar to not running into a jungle gym.  There are a million things that can distract bloggers.  Tons of controversy.  Lots of books being written and ideas being tossed around.  Many solutions to perceived problems.  A myriad of interpretations of Scripture and application points being proffered.  It can be quite easy to get swept up in the ever changing world wide web. 

Faithful bloggers will have a consistent goal (one that is grounded in the unchanging gospel) and keep their eyes on that; otherwise you’ll just be tossed to and fro by the ever changing online climate.  For me I have made it my aim to “so live and so study and so serve and so preach and so write that Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen God, be the only boast of this generation”.  That’s a tweak of a John Piper quote in Don’t Waste Your Life. 

Guarding Your Heart

The means to “fixing your gaze” and “putting away crooked speech” (4:24) and “pondering the path of your feet” (4:26) is found in Proverbs 4:23.  “Keep your heart with vigilance for from it flow the springs of life.”  If my heart is not kept then it will be distracted.  I will begin chasing after the wind.  My writing will be for personal gain instead of for the majesty of Christ being proclaimed.  Therefore, I must consistently guard my heart.  If my heart can be distracted then my blogging will be distracted. 

Again I find Charles Bridges instructive:

The man of God must only have one standard…He must often put aside the Church, no less than the world, that he may listen more closely to the command—Walk before me.  He must discern and crush the first motions of corruption; guarding every avenue of sin—the senses—the memory—the imagination—the touch—the taste.  He must walk by the straight rule of the Gospel; else will he not only bring discomfort upon himself, but stumbling to the Church.  A single eye, steadily fixed upon the One Object, will make the path luminous.  (From Commentary on Proverbs, 55)

It is vital that we blog with a fixed eye and a guarded heart. 

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: Don’t Pick a Fight That Isn’t Yours

“Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm” –Proverbs 3:30

In other words don’t pick fights that aren’t yours.  That sounds reasonable enough but it kind of begs a question: what fight is mine? 

Consider this example.  I attend The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  I have a vested interest in what happens there.  Dr. Albert Mohler is our President.  He is someone that I consider to be a very faithful man and a great leader.  In a very real sense he is one of the authorities that the Lord has placed in my life.  So, what happens when bloggers start taking on Dr. Mohler?  Is this my fight?  It involves me…sort of.

Or another example.  I am a pastor at First Baptist Jasper in Indiana.  I certainly have a vested interest in what happens here.  If the local paper began maligning one of our members would this be my fight?  It involves me…sort of. 

Though it is difficult to wade through these questions it is not impossible.  In his commentary on the Proverbs Charles Bridges notes:

We must guard…against causeless strivings.  A propensity to embroil ourselves in quarrels kindles strife, instead of following the rule of peace.  This spirit is a great hindrance to holiness and inconsistent with a true servant of God.  Irritable persons strongly insist upon their rights, or what they conceive to be due to them from others.  ‘Is there not’—say they—‘a cause?’  But impartial observers frequently judge it to be a striving without cause; that no harm has been done; none at least to justify the breach of love; that more love on one hand, and more forbearance on the other, would have prevented the breach; that ‘there is utterly a fault—Why do ye not rather take wrong?’” (Bridges, 39)

From Bridges’ commentary, the rest of Scripture, and my own experience I have developed these ten questions that I at least subliminally consider when deciding to “contend”. 

1. Is this really “harm”?  Will a response from me only ratchet up the offense (add fuel to the fire)?  Sometimes we make things a bigger deal simply by pointing them out or challenging someone on them.  If it’s not actually harm then don’t ride your sled down the slippery slope and make a big deal out of nothing.
2. How directly involved am I?  Is this my wife being maligned or is this a friend of a guy I knew in college?
3. What is my heart in this?  Am I going to contend just to show how masterfully I can argue my points?  Is my contention just to gain notoriety or to win an argument?  Do I have a natural propensity to unnecessary controversy?  If I do, then I had better proceed with caution.
4. Does my opinion matter?  Of course, like your grandma says everybody’s opinion matters.  But some opinions matter more.  That’s just life, sorry granny.  Per the above example concerning Dr. Mohler.  At this particular time in my life even if I “defended” Dr. Mohler from negative blogs—my opinion carries such little weight on these issues because I’m so far removed from his position that I probably should just let others closer to the situation deal with it. 
5. Is this a “fire” issue?  Am I defending the deity of Christ or am I defending what prison Paul was in when he wrote Philippians? 
6. Can the offense be covered in love?  Seriously, can I reasonably just drop this or will it continue plaguing my soul.  If you aren’t sure wait a day before responding to that blog comment.  If you “lost your chance” or you aren’t as fired up about it tomorrow it’s probably a good thing you hit “cancel reply”. 
7. What do impartial observers say?  I know in our instant online society you post a tweet—it’s awesome for about 20 minutes and then nobody really remembers it.  But perhaps before entering a contention you should ask a few people that are distant observers. 
8. Is it helpful to simply “eat this one”?  Most controversies will die out if you don’t respond to them.  Is that helpful?  Can you just not respond?  So what if a guy leaves a comment and thinks that my article was really dumb and he is upset that I misused a comma. 
9. Do I have the right to interject truth?  I’m a little more quick to “contend” or give my opinion if it is with someone that is in my church.  I have “won the right” to interject truth.  But I don’t have any plans to write Rob Bell and tell him to repent.  Others have “won the right” to interject truth.  There are some issues that I should just leave up to a guys pastor or accountability group to deal with. 
10. Should my contention be public or private?  Even if I do decide that I ought to contend I still cannot just type up a response and hit send.  I need to make sure that my contention should go public.  And that is an entirely different issue.

You might be thinking, “Wow, this seems tedious.  I probably would never comment if I followed through on all these”.  My response?  Good.  If it’s not your fight don’t bring boxing gloves and start throwing left hooks. 

The Pain of Being Blackballed by @Challies and @TGC: The TRUTH Comes Out

Yesterday, I lamented my having been blackballed by Tim Challies and the Reformed Illuminati known as The Gospel Coalition.  Through years of faithful blogging I have been disregarded and mostly unnoticed. 

Hopefully you caught the humor in what I was doing and nobody actually took me serious.  I love Tim Challies, The Gospel Coaltion, and all those involved.  I’d be part of the Reformed Illuminati if they’d let me in.  I wrote what I did yesterday because I hoped to make a point today.  (Hopefully my point is not lost on anything that I wrote yesterday). 

Proverbs 18:17 says, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him”. 

Everything that I said yesterday could, theoretically, be true.  It really could be possible that there is a conspiracy within the ranks of Challies and TGC.  They really could have read my stuff and somehow decided that I am a dangerous blogger that they should not give an audience to.  It really is possible.  And if you only read my side of the story from my very limited perspective (and if I hadn’t written it in such a ridiculous fashion) then you very well could have bought into this little conspiracy theory. 

Reality

There are two possibilities, though, that I absolutely refuse to accept that would refute my conspiracy theory.  The first possibility is that Challies and TGC have actually read a few of my posts and they are simply not up to the quality that they would like to feature on their blog.  Maybe my writin’ ain’t good enuf. 

A second possibility is that even though I follow Challies, TGC, and others on Twitter and Facebook and even though they may have me as a “friend” on their facebook account, or have seen my name appear on comments, they actually have no idea who I am.  They have honestly never read my blog.  Maybe an article here or there, but not enough to actually catch their attention.  They aren’t snubbing me—they just don’t know I exist.

What about Challies not saying hi to me at Band of Bloggers?  First of all, I doubt very seriously he would even know me, much less have a reason to say hi.  Secondly, I’m not sure many people on the internets even know what my face looks like.  You’d have to do some digging.  My Facebook profile is usually something ranging from Don Knotts to Gary Coleman.  And my twitter profile picture has been Ron Swanson and/or Prison Mike for the last few months.  Even if they knew my name they’d have no idea what I look like. 

My Point

Be really slow to jump on stories of conspiracy on the internet.  I have been involved in church discipline cases were it would have been wrong to have aired every aspect of a grievance.  Often times because people only hear one side of the story the assumption is that there must be some sort of mass cover up going on.  While that is certainly possible, and churches and Christian gatherings like TGC are not immune to power-gluttons, it is also quite possible that these are humble men and women that are simply using wisdom.

What appears to be “going on” is not always what is actually reality.  This does not mean that only “insiders” ought to be blogging or asking questions.  But it does mean that those who do not have a good majority of the information and are not privy to both sides in an issue should be very cautious and careful about making assumptions. 

What this also teaches us is that even in our everyday relationships we can wrongly assume that somebody is mad at us, blackballing us, ignoring us, giving us the silent treatment, etc. but in reality they have no idea what is even going on.  I have witnessed relationships be destroyed just because of a perceived offense or snub.  If you really do feel like you have offended a brother or if a brother has offended you the gospel calls us to make every effort at peace and reconciliation. 

If I really were offended or really were blackballed by Challies and TGC the method for reconciliation would not be to blog about it and expose them for all the world to hear my side of the story.  Reconciliation should happen by me emailing them and asking if my crazy theory is correct. 

Of course if I’m loony enough to believe such a conspiracy theory I am probably going to think that their gentle “no, there is no conspiracy” is really part of the conspiracy.  But at the end of the day I am still to make very effort to be at peace with them.  And if they are blackballing me (which they are not), and I have made an effort to reconcile, and then they do not reconcile, that is on them.  I don’t serve the Lord by exposing them.  I serve the Lord by praying for them and entrusting them to the work of the Holy Spirit. 

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: The Fountain That I’m Not

Proverbs can be a very helpful book to turn for those wanting to engage in online communication for the glory of God.  We have already noted from Proverbs 1 that Christian Bloggers Should Not Join an Ambush to Gain Traffic or “I’d Rather Be a Small Life-Giving Blog Than a Highly Visited Tomb”

Today we look at the second…

#2 Wise Blogging Flows From a Sure Fountain and I’m Not It

I do not think this is truly ironic but it is at least Alanis Morrissette Ironic.  There is a life behind this post that I want to make you aware of.  This article itself has been sitting in my “drafts” for about a week.  What I desire to say in this article is that faithful bloggers are dependent bloggers.  The only source from which we derive wisdom (that which alone is worthwhile and lasting) is the LORD.  We cannot conjure up wisdom in ourselves we must seek the LORD for wisdom. 

Here is the “ironic” part: I am having a really difficult time writing this article.  It has went through two or three different editions.  I know that I could have just hit “publish” last week and then moved on to #3 in this series.  Yet, to do so would have been hypocritical because I knew deep down that I was simply writing just to get #2 out there.  And the whole point of #2 in this series is to say, “don’t do that”.  So my utter dependence in the LORD is being highlighted in trying to write this article. 

One of the best tips for gaining an audience with your blog is to post often.  A large reason why Tim Challies has gained the audience he has is because of faithfully blogging every day.  Of course he is also a great writer and the Lord has blessed His online ministry.  Not everyone should write an article every day.  Yet, it is wise to have a steady flow of material coming from your site. 

The faithful blogger, then, desires to create quality content at least on a semi-daily basis.  The problem, though, is that he/she is not an overflowing fountain of wisdom.  The faithful blogger does not simply want to post something just because it is Tuesday and this is her day to post.  No, the faithful blogger wants her writing to be saturated with Christ-centered wisdom.  What then is the pressed blogger to do? 

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

This Proverb is telling us that we must diligently seek out wisdom.  We do not find it in ourselves but we are given wisdom by the LORD.  The LORD is very gracious and desires that His people be marked by wisdom.  Therefore, we must diligently seek His wisdom and not our own.  For me this means two things. 

First, I am a dependent blogger.  I cannot write quality posts just because it is Monday and I usually write something about ministry.  If truly useful stuff will flow from this blog it will not come because I am an amazing writer.  Truly edifying material will come because the LORD has graciously bestowed upon me wisdom which I diligently sought out (or in His grace He just slapped me in the face with it). 

Secondly, there is only one fountain and I am not it.  The only fountain from which wisdom flows and that fountain is the Lord.  Many may draw from this stream with broken pales or dirty buckets but if we are to have wisdom it must come from this spring.  Therefore, the wise blogger will keep his “ear attentive” and when he hears wisdom he will write it down.  This way he will not be drawing each morning from a blank slate but from hours drinking from the fountain of wisdom. 

You are a dependent blogger (and commenter).  If we truly desire to edify the body in what we write (whether through article or comments or other social media) then we will stay close to Jesus and come to grips with the fact that He is the fountain and we are not. 

Proverbs for Christian Blogging: Not Joining an Ambush

I have found that Proverbs is one of the most helpful places to turn for help in Christian blogging.  The Proverbs frequently help us in our communication with people; both fools and the wise.  Hopefully Christian bloggers write to edify the wise.  Sadly, Christian blogging is often hi-jacked by the fool.  Therefore, Proverbs is one of the best places to turn for help in online communication.  To that end this begins a lengthy series (going through every applicable chapter of Proverbs) to find help for Christian Blogging.

#1 Christian Bloggers Should Not Join an Ambush For Traffic Gain

    My son, if sinners entice you,
        do not consent.
    If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;
        let us ambush the innocent without reason;
    like Sheol let us swallow them alive,
        and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
    we shall find all precious goods,
        we shall fill our houses with plunder;
    throw in your lot among us;
        we will all have one purse”—
    my son, do not walk in the way with them;
        hold back your foot from their paths,
    for their feet run to evil,
        and they make haste to shed blood.
    For in vain is a net spread
        in the sight of any bird,
    but these men lie in wait for their own blood;
        they set an ambush for their own lives.
    Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
        it takes away the life of its possessors.
(Proverbs 1:10-19 ESV)

It may seem like a stretch to call the worst of watch bloggers “those whose feet run to evil and make haste to shed blood”.  But calling everybody to “accountability” and trying to torch Christian believers seems to me to be very similar to what is being discussed in this Proverb. 

If we are not careful as Christian bloggers we can be tempted to “walk in the way with them”.  Our hearts can be tempted towards the “unjust gain” of increased blog traffic.  Controversy sells.  It sells in linking to controversial stories and sites.  It sells in engaging controversy and writing about it.  But at the end of the day the traffic gained from throwing our brothers and sisters under the bus will “take away life”. 

Of course there are debates that need to be had.  There are discussions and even controversial ones that must take place.  It is not wrong to get blog traffic as a result of a thoughtful, gracious, and helpful piece that deals with something controversial.  What is wrong is joining in an ambush for the sake of blog traffic. 

1:15 says, “my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths”.  Decide for yourselves if this is a stretch, but I think this Proverb is telling us to simply not play the ambush game (neither as a fellow ambusher or as one trying to lay a snare for the one doing the ambushing).  Just walk away and go a different path—even if its rough, rugged, and filled with the hard labor of cutting out your own path to finding an audience.

You can gain a quick following by being a controversy seeking and controversy centered blogger, but at the end of the day it reeks of death and not glory.  I’d rather have a small blog that is life-giving rather than a highly visited tomb.