Social Media and the Believer-Part 1

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Proverbs 18:2 NIV

Social media has become a major outlet for people today. Where in times past, one would have to leave this earth without anyone having none they existed, social media has given millions the opportunity to be heard and even to be known. 

This blog is from a teaching I presented to our church and I thought it would great to share it today in my blog:

Being on the Cutting Edge:

The Church has always been interested in being on the cutting edge of technology in order to share the gospel. In both the Old and New Testaments, the word of God was put to print with “modern” technology of that day. When Martin Luther was living, he used the moveable type printing press to get God’s word into the hands of common people, like us, calling the printing press “the highest act of God’s grace.”

As time moves into the nineteenth century other forms of media become popular and men and women of God use them to spread the gospel. Aimee Semple McPherson used the radio broadcast to share the message of the cross, as did others. And everyone has heard of or seen a Billy Graham Crusade on television. 

And now we have computers and the internet. As an educator I had to have those conversations with our students about how to use technology and social media responsibly. They even have a name for it: digital citizenship. And one day in conversation with our pastors, I brought up the need for our church to have that conversation and this teaching was a result of it. 

As the above scripture mentioned: Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. 

That’s social media in a nutshell. A lot of individuals are out there sharing their opinions and gaining little if no understanding in the process, and even worst-not sharing any understanding. Especially our young people. But as citizens of the kingdom of God, we need to be responsible in what we say, write, post, or share in any venue. And especially on social media because once it hits the airwaves, it’s out there!

When the television was invented, many Christians spoke against the use of the television in Christian homes and many speak against social media for Christians today. I don’t agree with either opinion. I believe God the Holy Spirit uses the television to “tell the vision” of the kingdom and uses social media to “to socially communicate” the gospel in ways that formal preaching and teaching may not be able to do. 

With the use of such a powerful tool of expression comes some responsibilities:

• Many Christians (and non-Christians) feel empowered by social media, believing that they now have a voice to say the things online that they may not have a chance to say in their face to face encounters with people, so being responsible includes choosing your words carefully. Before you hit the send button, reread what you are sharing because it is a reflection of you, and in the church world, a reflection of Jesus and His Church!
• Social media, (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Pinterest, to name a few) gives us that voice and the opportunity to be creative. Some people have actually made a career of posting themselves and their talents or antics. Many have done outrageous things to get “hits” and “followers” on social media. The focus of the Christian should be to glorify Him in all that we do, not to see how many followers we can gain.
• I remember how stressful twitter became for me as I used to sit around thinking, “what creative or witty thing” can I post now? I eventually let it and facebook go because they required more attention than I was willing to give to them. So don’t spend more time on social media than you do with the Lord in the reading and studying of His word and in prayer.
• The world (Satan) has a plan for social media, and God has a plan; let’s get on His page with the intent to share our faith positively that we might draw the world to Him. Use it for fun and entertainment, but not at the expense of being used by the devil!
• On social media, we are called to be a witness that Jesus is real and reigns supreme in our lives, just as we are called to do that in the physical world in which we live. Please don’t tell the world that you are a Christian while posting vile and profane things on your pages, it sends the wrong message and it doesn’t bring glory to the Father! Wonderful Jesus!