Are you an Internet bully? Read this and cut it out

Article By John May // EEW Magazine Spiritual

When most people think of a bully, they imagine a big kid pushing smaller ones around on a playground. These days, many bullies are grown men and women who happened to acquire a keyboard.

Not everyone means to be a bully—but many people get a little too passionate about their opinions when there’s no threat of having to face the person they’re directing the message to.

Here are 5 scriptures to keep you from committing an online offense:

1.) James 1:19- (NIV) “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Don’t comment on someone’s video or article in the heat of the moment. If you disagree with their view, either stay off the keyboard or give yourself time to think of a gracious answer.

2.) Proverbs 10:19- (ESV) “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” If every Internet user lived by this scripture, the world would be a friendlier (and quieter) place!

3.) Psalms 141:3- (ESV) “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” Pray and ask God to word your mouth. If you are a servant of the Lord, His presence ought to be present in your speech—verbal and typed.

4.) Proverbs 12:18- (NIV) “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Don’t tear someone to pieces over a disagreement as if you are a well-sharpened weapon. You can gently state your case, or choose to remain silent.

5.) Proverbs 29:11- (NLT) “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” We should never act nor speak out of anger. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. As Ecclesiastes 3:7 says, there is a “time to be silent and a time to speak.”

Daily, make sure your words are seasoned with grace, as Colossians 4:6 says, "so that you may know how to answer everyone."