Treat Others the Way YOU Want to be Treated

"Exploring the impact of social media on others and their well-being"

Before we launch into my article, let's consider what the Bible says. Does it actually teach the golden rule? Are we serious about how we treat others as believers? Does this apply to our time on the internet, keyboard warriors, and social media gurus? Do we really want to violate Biblical principles to get views?

What does the Bible say?

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12.

From the Old Testament, the law, and the prophets, God taught His people to treat people as they wanted to be treated. This is a little shocking since that is even the teaching of the Old Testament and law. Basically, isn't the verse saying that if you got this one truth right, you would be fulfilling the law and prophets? Notice "this is" in the verse. Ask yourself how you want to be treated, then treat others in the same way.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:31.

I am to love my neighbor as I love myself. There is no truth or commandment more significant than this in the Bible.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Luke 6:31.

Do to them before they do to you, likewise. Just think before you put it on social media: Would I want someone to do that to me? I will do to them what I want them to do to me, not before they can do it to me.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:9–10.

Without dissimulation, that means you shouldn't fake it. It means not being hypocritical when you say you love. Let your love be the real thing, sincere.

Treat each other kindly with brotherly love like you would your family. Want the other person to be honored before and more than you.

These truths are to govern our online lives as well as our day-to-day conduct.

Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 1 Corinthians 10:24.

Our goal is for others to live well and prosper. It is not thinking about self. It is working at finding the advantage for the other and seeking the other person's welfare. Think about that before you speak or type.

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Ephesians 4:2.

We are to humble ourselves, be super patient, put up with others, and make allowances for them.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32.

We are to be kind and compassionate towards others. We look for ways to be helpful and kind. We forgive, put their wrongs in the past, and move to the future. We forgive quickly and thoroughly. Think of having a tender heart.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:3–4.

We are not to live in selfish ambition. We are instead to think of the good of others. We are to look out for the interests of others above our own. Instead of trying to climb to the top, we step aside and help others get there. We seek the advantage of others and forget ourselves.

We stop all the intergroup fighting with selfish motives. We treat others as better than ourselves. We consider them the superior.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3:12–13.

As God's chosen elect, we dress differently in compassion, kindness, humility, and discipline. We live taking second place and forgiving everyone that has wronged us. We forgive quickly and totally.

We represent Jesus and our Father, so we are gentle and put up with being treated wrongly.

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 1 Peter 2:17.

Honor or show respect for all men. All should be treated honorably. All people are to be treated with dignity. We are to love our spiritual family.

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9.

God is speaking to all of us. We are not to give back evil when someone treats us with evil, nor do we yell back when they yell at us. We give love and blessings back. There is no retaliation. No sharp tongue is allowed. We are to be blessers.

We never scold, give tongue lashings, or put-downs but blessings. We want God to bless and do good to all. We are people who bless others.

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8.

We love others with everything in us. Love forgives and doesn't take into account others' offenses. Our love is intense; it never fails. It certainly doesn't spread the word about others' failures.

Think of how we treat others the opposite of how we want to be treated.

Social media is used to bully others into submission. All of a sudden, we do not need the facts to begin spreading rumors. People seem to enjoy saying hurtful things online that they might never say to a person's face, especially if it was someone they loved.

When you are hateful online, you don't consider it hate speech. It seems to be ok to ignore how other people feel.

People jump on the bandwagon to cancel culture someone without giving them the benefit of the doubt or even finding out if the accusations are true.

Online, we can manipulate and deceive with the best of the worst. Actually, it all becomes about self-promotion, no matter what it costs others. So many want to humiliate the other person publicly rather than honor them.

If it is via online social media, suddenly, you don't consider it gossip. You spread the rumors, get on the bandwagon, never make a phone call, never try to find out the truth. Just let the lie run.

Quotes to Meditate On

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." 
Edmund Burke

"One of the most important responsibilities in society is treating others as you want to be treated." Martin Luther King Jr.

"The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best." Epictetus

"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." Scott Adams

Steps to Take to Treat Others the Way YOU Want to be Treated

1. Be polite and respectful

2. Be understanding and try to feel what others feel

3. Help the hurting and those in need

4. Be honest and trustworthy

5. Listen intentionally

6. Be kind and considerate

7. Communicate openly

8. Express gratitude

9. Stop judging others

10. Respect the opinions of others

11. Give others the benefit of the doubt.

12. Be dependable

13. Forgive

14. Love

15. Celebrate the success of others

16. Be patient

17. Recognize the value of others