Hi Sister,

Recently, we saw online the effect of speaking carelessly.

A popular musician, Simi, came under severe scrutiny and backlash for tweets she made years ago. Words written in 2014 resurfaced and suddenly became today’s headline. What was once casual became costly.

Around the same time, there was also the case of a young woman who falsely accused someone of sexual misconduct online. The accusations were later proven false, and now she is being sued for 15 million. One post. One decision. Massive consequences.

These situations are sobering.

There is freedom of speech, yes. But there are consequences after speech.

Social media is not new to us. It has become a comfortable space. A diary. A stage. A courtroom. A therapy room. A battlefield. Everyone is speaking. Everyone is reacting. Everyone has an opinion.

But here is the problem.

We are becoming comfortable with oversharing an unfiltered expression. We are normalizing the posting of intrusive thoughts. We are speaking first and reflecting later.

Sis, not every thought deserves a microphone.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” That verse did not say in the power of the knife or the fist. It said the tongue. Words build. Words destroy. Words travel. Words linger.

And in the digital age, words do not disappear.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 tells us there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak.” The maturity is knowing the difference.

Before you post, ask yourself:

• Is this true?
  Is this necessary?
  Is this kind?
  Is this mine to say?

Because sometimes it may be true, but it is not yours to announce. Sometimes it may feel necessary, but it is not kind. Sometimes it may be kind, but it is not wise to make public.

We must also understand something very important. Social media is not a courtroom. It is not a police station. It is not an investigative body.

If someone has truly wronged you, there are appropriate authorities. There are structures. There are processes. Public accusation without evidence is not bravery. It can be injustice.

Exodus 20:16 says, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.” That commandment did not expire in Bible times. It applies to screenshots and captions too.

And let us come closer to home.

Sometimes it is not about false accusations. Sometimes it is sarcasm. Sometimes it is shading people. Sometimes it is posting in anger. Sometimes it is tweeting subtweets we hope someone sees.

James 1:19 advises us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Social media has reversed this. We are quick to type, quick to react, slow to verify, slow to calm down.

Lent has begun. And Lent is not only about fasting from food.

It is about discipline. It is about self-examination. It is about alignment.

• What if this Lent you fast from careless speech?

What if you pause before posting?
What if you choose silence when you are angry?
What if you delete the tweet instead of defending it?
What if you pray before responding?

Psalm 141:3 says, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” In our time, maybe we should pray, set a guard over my keyboard, Lord.

Sis, your reputation matters. Your integrity matters. Your future matters.

The internet does not forget easily. Employers search. Schools search. Future partners search. But beyond that, God hears.

Matthew 12:36 reminds us that we will give account for every careless word we speak. That should humble all of us.

This is not about fear. It is about wisdom.

You do not have to comment on every issue. You do not have to respond to every provocation. You do not have to share every detail of your life.

Privacy is not secrecy. Silence is not weakness. Restraint is not suppression. It is maturity.

As young women growing in faith and character, let us become known for thoughtful speech, not reactive speech. For edifying words, not explosive words.

• Before you post this week, breathe.
• Before you respond, pause.
• Before you accuse, verify.
• Before you expose, consider.

And let this Lent refine not just what you eat, but what you say.

Prayer

Lord, teach me to guard my words. Help me to speak with wisdom, restraint, and truth. Set a guard over my mouth and my keyboard. May my words bring life, not harm. Give me the maturity to choose silence when needed and courage to speak only when it is right. Amen.

With love and prayers,
Your big sister in Christ.