Beacons and Battlements

There’s a mashup meme that links the “seven deadly sins” to different social media channelsª: gluttony with Yelp, lust with Tinder, greed with LinkedIn, sloth with Netflix, envy with Facebook, pride with Instagram, and—you guessed it—wrath with Twitter. 

A lot of argument happens on this particular social network, whether generated by presidents or peons. At best it wears you out and at worst stirs up rage. Some people argue because they like to argue, but many argue for what they believe is right or true. Enter some ancient wisdom:

Do not argue with people not under obedience to you when they oppose the truth; otherwise you may arouse their hatred.

—Mark the Ascetic

We have a duty to confront opposition to the truth among those under our authority or care because we’re responsible for protecting them. In this case, to correct is to protect. But what about others? Patrick Lencioni has described healthy teams in which the members can argue passionately with one another yet maintain respectful, cooperative, and productive relationships once decisions are made.

Expanding the meaning of the quotation beyond the monastic context it comes from, it may be more widely applicable to assert that we do well to avoid arguments over the truth with those to whom we are not committed or loyal—because relationships matter more than being right. 

Truth will always win, even if it takes a while. So instead of speaking the truth as one wields a weapon in war, speak the truth as one lights a beacon. Those who heed it will profit from it, avoiding the reef and perhaps adding their light-bearing voices to yours. Those who disregard it may suffer the consequences, but they will not be at enmity with you.

ªhttps://thisisarray.com/7-deadly-sins-on-social-media/