It sounds bold. It gets applause from people who already agree with you. It can make you feel as though you are defending truth when you are actually enjoying the chance to belittle someone who sees the world differently.

But mockery is not a fruit of the Spirit.

Peter tells believers to be ready to give a reason for the hope within them—yet to do it “with gentleness and respect” and a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:15–16). The way we speak is not separate from the truth we defend. Gentleness and respect are part of Christian faithfulness.

You do not have to soften every conviction, avoid every hard subject, or pretend serious disagreement does not exist. You can say, “I believe this is true.” You can name what is wrong. You can refuse to follow the crowd.

But if your words treat people as stupid, disgusting, or beyond the reach of grace, you are not defending the whole truth. You are forgetting that the person across from you bears God’s image—and that you also stand by grace.

This matters at the dinner table, on the job site, and especially online. A sentence typed in ten seconds can display more of your anger than your allegiance to Jesus.

Before you post or speak, ask: Does this sound like someone whose deepest loyalty is to Christ? Is my goal to bear witness, or to score points? Would I say this the same way if the person were sitting across from me?

Conviction does not require contempt. In fact, contempt weakens our witness because it makes the messenger contradict the message.

Be clear. Be unashamed. And speak as someone who remembers how patiently Jesus has dealt with you.

ONE MOVE: Before posting, commenting, or speaking about a divisive issue, rewrite one sentence until it communicates both conviction and respect. If you cannot, do not send it.

Keep moving forward.