Trolling

Galatians 6:10

    I used to be a pretty big internet troll. A troll is someone who puts something on the internet to purposefully upset people. Now when I was going about trolling it was for biblical purposes. I would often go fishing on facebook for someone to argue with or start a bible debate with. Fishing is where someone makes a remark, post a status, reply to someone, etc for the purpose of getting a reaction from them. The problem is that none of these acts resulted in conversions. Yes, often I was proclaiming the truth but I was not being “as wise as a serpent.” Furthermore, sometimes it did more harm than good by giving me a reputation of someone who just wanted to start a fight (figuratively speaking). I have sense repented of putting a stumbling block in front of those who might want to learn the gospel, but I have seen fellow brothers and sisters constantly troll people just so they can argue. Is is possible to discuss Biblical topics with someone on the internet and still be at peace with them? By all means, if someone is posting on the internet falsehoods about the Bible, correct them. But, we need to be using those means to start conversations and bible studies. Paul said that we are supposed to “do good to all people” (Gal. 6:10) and not only did he do that, but he also taught the gospel boldly amid much opposition (1 Thess. 2:2). We are to be Christians first in all aspects of our lives, this includes our physical, spiritual, and yes even DIGITAL lives. When Jesus sent out the 12 he told them to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16). We need to be wise in all forms of communications. Whenever I have the urge to go back to my trolling days I am reminded that at the end of John’s 2nd and 3rd epistles he expressed the same sentiment, wanting to give them more information but not wanting to write it. Rather he wanted to teach people face to face (2 John 12; 3 John 13-14). I have made it a personal goal to try to use digital media to try to sit down with people and study the gospel face to face. I am confident that this will be a more fruitful approach to teaching the gospel. I love you all!
In His service,
Steven Hugley