I had the opportunity to sit in on an ordination council this morning at church. It was very profitable, to cop a term from Monday’s post. One of the topics that surfaced during a discussion on the doctrine of the Church was the possibility that a person could be gifted in a particular area (administration, teaching, etc.) and yet be spiritually immature.

I think we could apply this to the blogosphere.

It is tempting to judge a post’s worth by its rhetorical flair and linguistic acumen. These are great attributes, but they can easily become a substitute for the Spirit’s power if we are not careful.

In light of this, here are nine questions to ask when crafting a post. They are patterned after Galatians 5:22-23. I’m sure others have taken this approach before me. I would like to join their tribe.

Nine Questions to Ask When Blogging

  1. Is my writing governed by a deep love for my readers and for those I may mention in my posts, or am I simply using my readers to get what I really want (recognition, links, more hits)?
  2. Is the tone of my blog one of deep (not cheesy) joy in Jesus, or am I biting and negative?
  3. Is there a settledness to my writing, or am I frantic and using a lot of exclamation points and words in all-caps?
  4. When I disagree with someone on my blog, do I rant about their bad ideas, or do I bear with that person in the hope that God will grant him repentance?
  5. When people leave hurtful comments, do I respond with piercing vitriol, or do I extend kindness and give them the benefit of the doubt?
  6. Do I tend to blog about subjects that are edifying, or do I dwell on material that will corrupt the minds of my readers?
  7. Do I labor to produce content that is well-done and thoughtful, or am I content with sloppy shortcuts?
  8. Is my writing style heavy-handed, or am I gentle in the way I express myself (even when I have to say very hard things)?
  9. Am I disciplined in what I allow myself to post about, or do I have itchy typing fingers that gravitate toward the sensational?

What others would you add?