On the whole, I am more "old fashion" than my generation. My generation loves any and all forms of social media. They cannot get enough of it. They must try out whatever new form comes on the scene.
Obviously, I do not abstain from social media. I blog. I am on Facebook, but I rarely post or like anything. I am on Instagram, but mainly to keep up with the growth of family and friends and post the occasional picture. I am on Twitter primarily as my source of news and sports. I tweet mainly about sports or to share links.
By the standards of my generation I am probably on the fringes of social media. I use it as minimally as possible (though, sadly, I flirt with addiction when it comes to Twitter). I have adopted the "one foot in, one foot out" approach to social media for good or for ill.
Recently, I have grown more and more cautious about social media. In addition to the obvious issues regarding explicit content made easily available, I think social media poses a considerable danger to Christians. It is an easy place to grumble, complain, and, simply, spew all sorts of evil.
I have been tempted as such just over the past week. Horrible atrocities rage against unborn children in the name of science and individual freedom. Hunted lions and deflated footballs are treated as unforgivable offenses. People (many of them Christian) turn a blinds eye to ongoing issue of racism and oppression in America. Politicians are corrupt. God's laws are completely disregarded by our culture and many of our churches. And the list goes on.
I have felt a strong urge to treat each and every one of these issues in separate posts. I was ready to come out swinging. And thankfully, God's Spirit steered me against it. He consistently brought 1 Peter 3:15-16 to mind,
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame (emphasis mine).
I am not encouraging Christians to keep their mouths shut. We should speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. The hundreds of thousands of abortions taking place in this country are heart breaking and enraging. The ongoing plight of those in poverty and those enslaved cannot be ignored. Even "lighter" examples of man's failure to promote justice in life (which includes sports and hunting) should be addressed. We have an obligation as God's people to love what He loves. We are called to speak the truth.
However, instead of (or at least before) jumping onto what form of social media we enjoy most what if we prayed? What if we asked God for His mercy to pour out even on these individuals and groups? What if we pleaded with Him to change the hearts of these people? We should be quick to pray like Jesus when He hung on the cross naked, bloody, and spit upon; "Father, forgive them."
What is gentle and respectful about name-calling? Where does our hope come through when we run to sarcasm and cynicism (of which I myself am frequently guilty)? How can we have a good conscience when we have slandered and verbally abused those who disagree with us?
Our culture does not need our words of bitterness and cursing. It does not need us to join in the "conversations" that always end in personal accusations and ridicule. It must know the grave and eternal consequences of its ongoing disregard for God and His law. It desperately needs the hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is the One who covers all our sin and removes our shame. He alone can bring the transformation our culture longs for, but has no idea how to secure.
Obviously, I do not abstain from social media. I blog. I am on Facebook, but I rarely post or like anything. I am on Instagram, but mainly to keep up with the growth of family and friends and post the occasional picture. I am on Twitter primarily as my source of news and sports. I tweet mainly about sports or to share links.
By the standards of my generation I am probably on the fringes of social media. I use it as minimally as possible (though, sadly, I flirt with addiction when it comes to Twitter). I have adopted the "one foot in, one foot out" approach to social media for good or for ill.
Recently, I have grown more and more cautious about social media. In addition to the obvious issues regarding explicit content made easily available, I think social media poses a considerable danger to Christians. It is an easy place to grumble, complain, and, simply, spew all sorts of evil.
I have been tempted as such just over the past week. Horrible atrocities rage against unborn children in the name of science and individual freedom. Hunted lions and deflated footballs are treated as unforgivable offenses. People (many of them Christian) turn a blinds eye to ongoing issue of racism and oppression in America. Politicians are corrupt. God's laws are completely disregarded by our culture and many of our churches. And the list goes on.
I have felt a strong urge to treat each and every one of these issues in separate posts. I was ready to come out swinging. And thankfully, God's Spirit steered me against it. He consistently brought 1 Peter 3:15-16 to mind,
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame (emphasis mine).
I am not encouraging Christians to keep their mouths shut. We should speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. The hundreds of thousands of abortions taking place in this country are heart breaking and enraging. The ongoing plight of those in poverty and those enslaved cannot be ignored. Even "lighter" examples of man's failure to promote justice in life (which includes sports and hunting) should be addressed. We have an obligation as God's people to love what He loves. We are called to speak the truth.
However, instead of (or at least before) jumping onto what form of social media we enjoy most what if we prayed? What if we asked God for His mercy to pour out even on these individuals and groups? What if we pleaded with Him to change the hearts of these people? We should be quick to pray like Jesus when He hung on the cross naked, bloody, and spit upon; "Father, forgive them."
What is gentle and respectful about name-calling? Where does our hope come through when we run to sarcasm and cynicism (of which I myself am frequently guilty)? How can we have a good conscience when we have slandered and verbally abused those who disagree with us?
Our culture does not need our words of bitterness and cursing. It does not need us to join in the "conversations" that always end in personal accusations and ridicule. It must know the grave and eternal consequences of its ongoing disregard for God and His law. It desperately needs the hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is the One who covers all our sin and removes our shame. He alone can bring the transformation our culture longs for, but has no idea how to secure.
