Christianity and Social Media

Social media has become a staple in today's society. People use it to connect to others be it family, friends, associates, or just people with similar interests. Many use the differing apps out for communication that can happen with one click. That seems great, right? It absolutely can be.

Social media can be used to promote your business. It can be used to establish and share your own brands, ideas, and creativity. You can use it to share your faith with others. It can be utilized as an effective ministry tool. It can keep you up to date on current events worldwide in an instant!

Social media posts are excellent ways to share your beliefs with others. As Christians we believe that our instruction comes from Christ's example as well as applying God's word to all we say and do. We do this because those in the world who may never read a Bible for this instruction have a tendency to look at our lives as a measuring stick to see where they "line up" in relation to our standard. For this very reason it is vital that we model the type of behavior fitting a Christian man or woman.

For starts, we don't have to be online checking notifications all day long! Time is a precious commodity. We already have so little extra time. What can we do to make sure we are allocating our time wisely? We can start by setting limits on our screen time. We can turn off those pesky notifications. This allows for more time of introspection, which we all need in this late hour. We should constantly be asking ourselves, "how did I glorify Christ in what I've done today?" Let us grow in our love for the glory of God. We should use social media as a means of loving our neighbor.

We can do this by sharing wholesome content. I know all of you have seen the half nude pictures or suggestive images that pop up on instagram, facebook feeds, etc. In todays "look at me" world it seems that everyone is concerned with showing off or showing out. "Look at me, I'm so great!" I've had to get onto my own self about that one!! I workout 5 -7 days a week. I have been guilty of posting images of myself in workout attire, proud that I survived a killer workout! But what I failed to think in so doing was that those images may be seen as a stumbling block to someone struggling with issues surrounding the lust of the flesh.

A Stumbling block is any obstacle along the path of life that would make us to stumble. Stumbling blocks in our path are important for us to be on the lookout for, but we must be vigilant that we aren't the ones placing stumbling blocks in the way of others. Many of us walk around not even acknowledging how what we post could affect others, or how we could be acting as a stumbling block without realizing it.

Luke 17:1-4: "Now," He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to those through whom they come! It is better for him if a millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea than that he may cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

I don't see myself as a beautiful, fit individual. I don't see the allure in myself, but others may and I DO NOT want to feel in anyway responsible for tempting someone to sin.

I am very careful about the content I post now. If it's not something I'd be comfortable with my pastor seeing, I don't post it! But our world is multi layered. What about what God thinks about this content? He sees all, even the intent of the heart. We should post in a way that bring Him glory, not ourselves.

The Bible has something to say about this also. Did you know we will be judged by every word we have spoken?!

Matthew 12:36-37: "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the judgement. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

Think about the conversations you have with people online. Are the words you speak wholesome. Do you speak life to a dark, dying world?

Proverbs 12:18-27: "Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing. The word of truth lasts forever, but lies last only a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil, but joy belongs to those who advise peace. No lasting harm comes to a righteous person, but wicked people have lots of trouble. Lips that lie are disgusting to the Lord, but honest people are His delight. A sensible person discreetly hides knowledge, but foolish minds preach stupidity. Hard working hands gain control, but lazy hands do slave labor. A person's anxiety will weigh him down, but an encouraging word makes him joyful. A righteous person looks out for his neighbor, but the path of wicked people leads others astray. A lazy hunter does not catch his prey, but a hardworking person becomes wealthy."

We need to exercise self-control in all we do, even online. We are not an island unto ourselves. Everything we say and do can and will affect others. What can others say about your social media account? Do they think you're an encourager, an inspiration to others? Or do they see you as a boaster of self?

Philippians 2:3: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, esteem others better than yourself." For me personally, I want people who see my feed to know that I treasure the people God has put into my life. I want them to see that even though things may not always be rose petals and chocolate cake, they can still be good because of the joy we have in our hearts just to be a child of God. I want to encourage people to spend time with those they love, not just in front of a screen.

Ephesians 5:16-18: "redeeming the time because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit." To redeem something means to "buy it back." Time is a gift from God and none of us knows how much or how little of it we have left. We should be spending it wisely.

I'll be back with more later. Until then, be blessed by being a blessing.