Dear fellow Christian, is it really Christ-like to share something on social media but to make a disclaimer about its sinful content? Sometimes we see a video or meme and think it really conveys a message dear to us in an effective manner, but we think that saying, “Pardon the language,” exonerates us from sharing un-Christlike speech.
Would that also work and be appropriate if there was other vile content? Suppose we said, “Please pardon the nudity, but the message here is powerful”? Or, “Please pardon the sexual abuse portrayed, but the message here is so impressive”? If I put “a stumbling block in a brother’s way” (Rom. 14:13), or if I cause “one of these little ones who [believes in Jesus] to sin/stumble” (Matt. 18:6; Mark 9:42), I myself sin. If I look like the world in my posts (Rom. 12:2), then the world cannot see Christ through me (1 Cor. 11:1).
EVERYTHING I do must portray Jesus, purity and holiness (Gal. 2:20; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 2:11-12). While I might ask others to “pardon” my un-Christlike shares, do I think He will “pardon” me?