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Answer
A chain letter is a form of correspondence in which the recipient is encouraged to forward the letter to a number of others with the promise of a reward or misfortune for breaking the chain. Chain letters have been in existence for almost a century. The oldest known example dates back to 1935—the “Prosperity Club” or “Send-a-Dime” letters. Recipients were instructed to attach a dime to a dozen letters, including the original sender, and mail them. They were then expected to receive a windfall of dimes in the mail as others followed suit.
As traditional mail with stamps is becoming outdated, chain letters through postal systems are not as common as they used to be. However, similar practices have emerged on the internet through email and social media. Chain letters may surface in private messages, Facebook posts, tweets, or group emails. Many of them have a Christian perspective, leading believers to question how they should react to these chain messages.
The basis for most chain letters is superstition. Social media is flooded with memes and short stories crafted to evoke emotions, often concluding with a prompt to “re-post if you love Jesus” or a similar directive. Some take it a step further by pledging “ten blessings in the next ten days” or claiming that “God will reward you” for sharing the post. Others are less kind, insinuating a lack of spiritual commitment in those who do not forward it, type “Amen” in the comments, or endorse it in some other manner. Regrettably, many sincere individuals fall for these unfounded threats daily, prompting one to question why. Do some Christians genuinely believe that God is behind these messages, hoping we will all forward them? Do people think they are “defending Jesus” by simply clicking “post” from behind a computer screen or an iPhone?
One risk associated with these Christian chain messages is that they significantly trivialize the po
Wear and majesty of the Lord and makes Christians appear weak-minded and superstitious. Many of the fluffy, Christian-sounding sentiments expressed through these chain messages are not even scripturally accurate and are nothing more than wishful thinking or prosperity teaching. The ones that do include Scripture often take it out of context and apply it to anyone who happens to read the post. For example, Isaiah 54:17 (“no weapon forged against you will prevail . . .”) has become wildly popular, although it is truncated and taken completely out of context. Even unbelievers can post this on Facebook and get a hundred “likes” for their spirituality. But this is a blatant perversion of God’s promise to His people. This verse does not apply to everyone who happens to read a meme. God is promising vindication and protection for Jerusalem. But chain letters and chain messages rarely convey that truth.
There are different types of chain letters that elicit different responses:
1. The Hoax: Hoaxes float through cyberspace like dust particles, clouding the internet with lies. No one knows who starts these things, but millions of social media users leap at the possibilities they appear to offer. The hoax is often in the form of an official-looking letter, supposedly signed by a recognizable icon, which lends it legitimacy. For example, “Bill Gates has announced that he will be giving away $1,000 to the first fifty people who forward this email.” The unsuspecting don’t bother to validate this claim but propagate it on the outside chance that, perhaps, it might be true.
2. The Dare: Daring chain letters have a warning tone, implying negative consequences for not obeying their instructions. The warning may hint that you are “disappointing Jesus” by not forwarding, but some of the more aggressive ones escalate to the promise of “death and destruction within ten days.” Certain chain letters may qualify as fraud, and the instigators can face legal penalties for pushing pyramid schemes or lottery chances.
3. The Heart-breaker: Social media is filled with touching, emotional stories, often about a sick child or a brave animal, always accompanied by a heartbreaking image to evoke sympathy. Validating the claims in such chain messages is usually difficult, but when people’s emotions are triggered, they tend to react without verification. Requests for money, get-well cards, or services can be considered scams if they prompt gifts from the recipients.
Jesus cautioned His disciples to be as “wise as serpents and as harmless as doves” « Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. », (Matthew 10:16). A prudent approach to any claim that appears too good to be true is to conduct some research before getting involved. Fact-checking does not indicate a cold heart or a lack of faith. In reality, Christians who are cautious about what they believe are following the example of the Bereans who, upon hearing Paul’s “too good to be true” gospel, “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” «These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. », (Acts 17:11).
By asking ourselves a few simple questions first, we can make more informed decisions before forwarding that chain letter:
1. Is it true? The question should not be “Do I want it to be true?” If you cannot personally verify the accuracy of something you are about to send or repost, then refrain from reposting. You do not want to contribute to spreading falsehoods.
2. Is it coercion? Coercion is a form of deceit, and God detests any form of it (Proverbs 12:22;Proverbs 13:5;Revelation 21:8).
Revelation 21:8). When we coerce people to do something, we are manipulating their decisions through force or threats. To imply that someone “does not love Jesus” because he or she does not comply with the demand of an anonymous meme is wrong.
3. Is it superstition? Many times, the power behind chain letters is a superstitious fear that, if the chain is broken or the recipient does not obey its demands, something bad will happen. This superstition also promises supernatural blessings for obeying its instructions, as though God were selling cheap lottery tickets by mail or social media. Superstition is a form of witchcraft, as it attributes to inanimate objects or to the “Universe” a power and respect that belong to God alone (Micah 3:7; Micah 5:12; Deuteronomy 18:10). Superstitious chain letters prey on the spiritually immature and uneducated. They also propagate a false view of God and His real blessings.
4. Is it a substitute for true spiritual devotion? In this day of digital connection, it has become easy to hide behind our devices, toss some Bible verses or cheery sayings into the public arena, and feel satisfied that we have “witnessed for Christ.” But what are our posts accomplishing? How many people have been led to repentance and salvation by a chain letter claiming to offer God’s blessings for passing it on? How many souls have been won to Christ from a meme with a drawing of Jesus and the challenge “I’m a believer in Jesus. If you’re not ashamed of Him, then re-post. I’ll bet only one in a thousand will”? Being obnoxious about our faith is rarely effective, and chain messages are one way we can offend rather than draw the world to faith in Christ.
Discerning Christians will think twice before hitting “post,” “share,” or “send” on chain messages that cannot pass the tests above. Living as “lights in the world” (Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15) requires much more than being a willing link in a chain of superstition. When we pass on a message because it speaks truth and encouragement to our hearts, we are sharing our faith. But when we do it for superstitious reasons or because some anonymous meme-maker dared us to, we may only be hiding that light under a basket «Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. », (Matthew 5:15).
