1st January 2026 Question box

OK, here’s our next question rom the box:

How do we deal with negativity online to Christians / Christianity? For example comments like: “All Christians are hypocrites!” Often I feel people are lumping in cultural/nominal Christians as part of these comments. Should I ever respond back or should I just use the internet less?

That’s a really good question to ask. It reminds me of that famous comic:

The question also reminds me of something we recently covered in the morning service. On Sunday mornings, we’ve been working through the book of Proverbs, and we recently looked at Proverbs 26:4-5:

"4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.”

So, wait, which is it? Well they are both true in different situations. When it says: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly…” It reminds us that there are certain arguments not worth getting into. There are debates not worth having. Because they create a whole lot of heat, but not a lot of light. And there’s something about the internet which seems to encourage flame wars. Where people get really upset throwing around arguments and accusations, but nobody is willing to listen to the other side, and so nobody goes away convinced to change their mind.

And yet, there are times when people say foolish things which need to be corrected. Because if no-one says anything nothing, and the person will assume that they are correct. Someone says: “All Christians are hypocrites.” Maybe you just type three words: “no they’re not”; it might make them reflect on the assumption that they’ve made… There is a time to answer a fool according to his folly.

But when do you stay silent, and when do you speak up? Well, you need wisdom to read the situation. It may be the person is in a place that they’re willing to engage, and think about what you say. Or, it may be that someone who is writing in the comments section of the Sydney Morning Herald is just looking for an argument. And you won’t convince them.

And here’s another thing to consider. 1 Peter 2:12 says: “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” Peter’s making the point that one of the most powerful answers to wrong accusations against Christians, come not in words but in actions. I’ve met people who were raised to hate Christians, and told all sorts of false things… until they met Christians, and experienced the love and grace of the Christian community. And then they became open-minded and willing to listen. The challenge with online debates is that people can hear your words, but not see your life.

And so, to answer the question: There may occasionally be times to respond back on the Internet. But I think it would be good for most of us if we use the internet a bit less, and invest more of our lives in face to face relationships with those who don’t yet know Jesus.

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This question was originally answered in our evening service on 24 August 2025. I’ll aim to post another question and answer next week. You can read about how our question box works here.