Podcast Summary

In Totality with Megan Ashley
Episode 107: Pause, Pray, Then Post: Christian Unity
Date: March 17, 2026

Overview

This episode addresses the pressing issue of disunity within the Christian community, especially as expressed online. Host Megan Ashley, joined by her production team (Jordan, Nicole, and Dr. Sarita), reflects on the importance of Christian unity, humility, and love in digital interactions. Drawing on Scripture and personal experiences, the group challenges listeners to examine their hearts before engaging in public discourse—urging a practice of pausing, praying, and discerning before posting or commenting, so that Christian witness remains strong and Christ-like.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

The Grief of Disunity in the Church

• Megan shares a deep sadness about the lack of unity among Christians online, observing frequent dishonor, quarrels, and public correction that often lack love.
• Disunity turns the church into more of an “industry” than a true “community.”
  • Quote: “If the church was more unified, that Christianity would be seen as a community and not as an industry.” (09:36)
• She references Ephesians 4, emphasizing the biblical directive to pursue unity with humility, gentleness, patience, and love (06:26).
  • Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:1-3
  • Quote: "There is one body and one Spirit." (07:32)

Personal Examination before Public Commentary

• Before correcting others or weighing in online, Megan encourages believers to "interrogate their own hearts." (08:09)
  • Quote: “Let me interrogate what's happening with me first.”
• The importance of self-reflection and prayer before acting: Are my actions contributing to unity or disunity? (08:57)

Pause, Pray, Then Post: A Call for Dignity

• Practical guidance for digital engagement:
  1. Pause—recognize the humanity and dignity of others as image-bearers of God.
  2. Pray—seek God’s perspective and align feelings with His word.
  3. Then Post—ONLY if it honors God and others.
  • Quote: “Pause and say, Lord, first let me see this other person the way that you see them. Number one, they are an image bearer.” (12:52)
• Notable Moment: The team jokes about “tough love” being misrepresented and emphasizes that love, biblically, is never harsh or rude (16:31).

Anchoring Unity and Correction in Love

• Love is central—not theology, not correction. Root responses in Christ’s command (John 13:34-35; 14:19):
  • Quote: "Before it's my job to correct...my first job is to...love." (14:24)
  • Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – “Love is patient…kind…not rude…” (16:33)
• When tempted to correct, ask: Will people know I’m a disciple of Christ by how I love—even and especially in disagreement? (16:04)

The Danger of Quick Reactions Online

• Rapid, reactive posting bypasses biblical patience and is often motivated by pride rather than love (25:07, 34:44).
  • Quote (Jordan): “If you get to the point of posting what I said, you have lost it. You have disregarded any patience, any kindness.” (24:20)
  • Quote: "How much are we praying for people than we are persecuting them publicly or correcting them publicly?" (29:41)
• Encouragement to use Christian freedom and speech responsibly, resisting the urge to “blast” others publicly without prayer, process, or relationship (28:40).

The Process for Responding to Offense or Error

• Megan shares her approach:
  1. Feel an emotion—give it 24 hours, process/pray with the Lord.
  2. If it persists, seek wise counsel.
  3. Only consider public comment after diligent reflection and continued burden.
  • Quote: “Process and pray with the Lord first. If that feeling is still there, then move on to wise counsel.” (31:21)

Hypocrisy and Selective Outrage

• The group warns against double standards—such as being “pro-life” for unborn children, but lacking compassion for others (36:24).
  • Quote (Nicole): “For you to even think that it’s your job or like, up to you... that’s where a lot of people make that mistake.” (34:45)
• True Christian love and justice must be consistent—“Let love be without hypocrisy.” (36:51)

Social Media Accountability & Christian Witness

• Social platforms multiply both the temptation and impact of careless speech.
  • Quote: “You’re going to have to take an account for every. Careless word you speak.” (57:26 / Matthew 12:36-37)
• Christians should not demand constant commentary from influencers or fellow believers, nor should they expect a person to “speak on every single thing that’s happening” (64:48).
• Reminds listeners: “Pause and wait for the Lord to give you the okay.” (59:16)

The Jonah Complex

• Refers to resisting loving or ministering to those we dislike, as Jonah did with Nineveh.
  • Quote: “Jonah didn’t want those people to be saved. He had beef with Nineveh.” (61:27)
  • Reflection: God calls us even to serve and love our “enemies,” or those we disagree with (62:27)

Kingdom Over Sides

• Final exhortation: True allegiance is to God’s kingdom, not political or cultural “sides.” In every engagement, choose to side with God—not Satan, who sows division (63:05).
  • Quote: “Am I doing the work of the Lord or am I participating in the work of Satan?” (63:42)

Memorable Quotes and Moments (with Timestamps)

• “If the church was more unified, then Christianity would be seen as a community and not as an industry.” – Megan Ashley (09:36)
• “Let me interrogate my own heart. Am I contributing to the unity or the disunity of the body?” – Megan Ashley (08:09)
• “Pause and pray. At bare minimum, pause and pray. If somebody is just dead wrong, pause and pray.” – Megan Ashley (19:56)
• "Love is patient, love is kind...it is not rude." – Megan Ashley reading 1 Corinthians 13 (16:33)
• "If you got to the post where I'm gonna type this out...you have gone too far." – Jordan (25:15)
• "The Lord is not asking for sameness. He's asking for oneness." – Megan Ashley (51:30)
• “Have we become the experts in love?” – Megan Ashley (39:28)
• “Be angry, but what? Sin not.” – Megan Ashley (59:57)
• “Who am I siding with? Who am I partnering with? In the comment I left...did I align myself with the Lord or with Satan?” – Megan Ashley (63:05)
• “Stop and wait. Look both ways. Wait for the Lord to give you the okay.” – Megan Ashley (59:10)

Noteworthy Sections and Timestamps

• 06:12 – Megan discusses grief over Christian discord online
• 08:09 – The call to personal reflection before correcting others
• 12:52 – Steps for digital engagement: pause, pray, then post
• 14:19 – Exploring John 13:34—love as the mark of discipleship
• 16:33 – Reviewing the “love” passage from 1 Corinthians 13
• 25:07 – The unique dangers of online communication and posting
• 31:21 – The personal process: wait 24 hours, seek wise counsel, only then consider public comment
• 36:24 – Confronting hypocrisy in Christian social engagement
• 47:32 – Not repaying evil for evil; process for loving correction
• 53:22 – Dangers of Christian echo chambers; call for authentic unity
• 57:26 / Matthew 12:36 – We’ll give account for every careless word—even online
• 59:10 – “Stop and wait. Look both ways. Wait for the Lord.”
• 61:27 – The Jonah complex: loving those we don't want to
• 63:42 – The ultimate question: are we aligning with God or Satan in our actions?
• 68:48 – “Protect your witness!”—the need for integrity in both content and comments

Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is honest, challenging, and pastoral, blending warmth, self-deprecating humor, and a commitment to biblical truth. Megan and team speak with both vulnerability and authority, modeling grace-filled dialogue on divisive matters.

Action Steps for Listeners

• Examine your motives and heart before engaging online.
• Prioritize love and unity above being “right.”
• Be patient—pause and pray before responding publicly.
• Seek wise counsel for persistent burdens or conflicts.
• Remember, your conduct reflects on Christ and the church.
• Know your responsibility: maintain unity, don’t manufacture division.
• Repent where needed; pursue humility and curiosity over criticism.
• Align yourself with the Kingdom, not earthly sides or factions.

Journal Prompt from Megan

• “Is what I’m posting or commenting showing that I am a disciple of Christ?”
• “Do I need to repent for anything I’ve said, posted, or reposted?”

Conclusion

This episode is a thoughtful, Scripture-rich call for Christians to safeguard unity—especially in an age where online interactions can quickly become sources of division and harm. Listeners are left with practical guidance and a spiritual challenge: Pause, pray, then post—always remembering that love, not correction or commentary, is the true mark of a Christ follower.