4:18 – Don’t Feed The Trolls

#faithbites #faithjourney trolls

Setting

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Don’t Feed The Trolls?” On the Internet, trolls are those who start flame wars or intentionally upsets people on the Internet. I know you have crossed at least one and maybe, just maybe you have been a troll. I know once in a blue moon, I am, but usually, I try to share love and kindness and not try to upset. Not feeding the troll means not engaging with them and letting them starve. If someone doesn’t engage, the conversation dies out and so does the troll.

You might be asking why I bring this up. Lately, I’ve seen so many people try to troll others. They post conspiracy theories, debunked messages, half-truths, and try to bring you to their point without facts. These are trolls. I’ve decided not to feed them. It doesn’t help me or others when you engage. Debate is one thing, feeing a troll is another.

You might ask if this is Biblical. Actually, while Jesus didn’t call them trolls, he did say that some people weren’t ready for his message and his disciples should move to another town. (Matthew 10:14)

Today’s question: Are you feeding the trolls, debating in good faith, or letting the trolls starve?

Scripture

• Proverbs 26:4-5 – Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
• Colossians 4:5-6 – Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
• Matthew 10:14 – If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

Reflection

God’s word always provides. In Proverbs, we see that we shouldn’t engage with a fool or we will be a fool as well. When someone is a troll, they are trying to get us to debate, trying to change our minds with falsehoods. We should stand strong against that. We have to be careful though, as we don’t want to just push someone away and not engage because we don’t agree. It’s a tough line to balance between not engaging with those who just want to argue and debating with those who honestly want to learn.

As we see, grace, mercy, and kindness always comes up when we talk about sharing the Truth and God. There are times when we need to engage and other times when people are not ready for the truth and we need to find those who are.

As I said earlier, I’m struggling with this and trying to work on how best to engage and not engage. I’ve had one person trying to engage me and I’ve been resisting as their arguments are based in falsehood and they want to argue. It’s not worth my energy to do that. And maybe they need to have that discussion with someone but I’m not the right messenger.

As we end tonight, choose your debates carefully. Look to those who want to grow and learn. For those who don’t, pass on them and let another messenger from God work on them.

I wish you peace and discernment as you walk this line.

Prayer

God, help us to be messengers of your word and truth. We struggle engaging with some of your followers as they are mislead and don’t understand the truth. Help us to be kind and balanced in our interactions. Like your disciples, help us to know when to leave and when to engage. If we aren’t the right messenger, we pray you send the right person to help them see you in all they do.

Lord, I don’t have words for this, but just pray that you will be with us, guide our words, help our hearts be light, and let us be your servants. In your name, Amen.