Sunday, April 3, 2016 am
OTHERS (14)
Examples 5
The Christian and Social Media
Last week we addressed the influence of a Christian within his society
or community or neighborhood.
That is where we have our greatest impact with people.
Associated with this, is a more recent area of influence – social
media.
a.
Society
– defined as “people in general thought of as living together in
organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values”.
(merriam-webster.com).
In other words, it is the community we live in as we noted in our
sermon last week.
b.
Social
– defined as “relating to or involving activities in which people spend
time talking to each other or doing enjoyable things with each other.”
(also merriam-webster.com)
WE sometimes speak of socializing which is interaction within our social
circles or society.
c.
What is social media? It is creating
social interaction through electronic means, primarily using the
internet. Social media is
communication with our friends and acquaintances, and in many instances
involving groups of people greater than our friends (i.e. friends of
friends, etc.)
d.
The internet
– is a system of interconnected
networks through which we electronically transmit information.
It has developed to be very complex and efficient in the past few
decades.
e.
Much good can be
accomplished with the internet and social media
– we have information ready at our fingertips, we can
communicate in real time from virtually anywhere in the world, it can be
a time and cost saver, we can rally together behind noble causes, etc.
The list of good uses is virtually endless.
f.
BUT, just a click away (Joe Price – wwwsin – August 2014)
sin awaits:
i.
Sins of the flesh – pornography, gambling, opportunities for fornication, etc.
ii.
Unrighteous judgments – with the amount of information being made available, it is possible to
pass judgments without all the facts.
More on this in a few moments.
iii.
False doctrines and false religions
– just as easily accessible as the truth, is that which
is false. False teachers
utilize the internet to teach their doctrines
iv.
Human wisdom –
along with false doctrine is all manner of human wisdom contrary to
God’s word – humanism, atheism, agnosticism, antagonism to the truth,
etc.
v.
A Time bandit –
more on this later.
g.
Just like there are
responsibilities within our community or society, so there are Biblical
standards to consider as a Christian if we use social media.
Many of them overlap with our responsibilities as we discussed
last week. Let us
notice the example of a Christian with social media.
a.
Like so many other
things, social media and the internet, as well as other forms of
electronics
are not inherently evil.
They are things and, like money, are
morally neutral.
It is what you do with it that factors morality and godliness
into the picture.
Whether you like it or not, the internet and social media are here to
stay. They are a part of
the fabric of our society.
And as with many other things, they can be used for good or evil.
b.
Much good can be done for the cause of Christ with the internet and social
media –
There is access to instant information on virtually any subject.
Answers to questions are easily available.
Portable Bibles, often with intricate search engines to help you find
what you are looking for.
Many Christians and churches are using the internet to promote the
gospel to their communities and beyond.
IT IS HERE! It is a fact
of society that must accept.
That is not to say you are required to use it – but it is a tool
that is being used and as such it is an opportunity.
No longer does seeing a cell phone or ipad at services mean that
someone is texting or playing game.
They may be reading their Bible on that device.
And that can be a good thing.
AS preachers, we must beware that some point we make can be
verified with just a tap on that device (i.e. proper definition of a
word, cited sources, etc.).
Many churches have a “web presence” and they use it as a way to promote the gospel within
their community and abroad.
Much teaching has been made available through electronic media
– access to sermons and
studies. Many online
correspondence courses have been developed to teach, etc.
Tracts are available by godly brethren (some who we support), etc.
Brethren can communicate with concerns.
Locally: Many of our visitors,
including some local have come because of our website.
Challenge: If
you are one social media – this week post an invitation to our Gospel
meeting with a link to our website. (Remember last Sunday night’s sermon
– don’t be ashamed to let others know you are a Christian).
c.
Instant access to
information and communication can be good and cost effective.
d.
They can provide you
with prospects and renew old friendships.
e.
It can also be used for evil - to divide people, spread lies and bitterness, to advance
false doctrines, it can be used for self-promotion, spread and promote
profanity and immodesty, etc.
a.
It is a way for you to let your light shine
– there is much ugliness online today.
As a Christian, you are representing Christ in all that you do
(Matt. 5:16). That includes your online activities.
b.
Don’t be caught up in ungodly behaviors
- As Christians we are
to abstain from every form of evil – 1 Thessalonians 5:22. That doesn’t
mean you cannot participate in social media, BUT it does mean we do not
participate in nor advocate evil activities PERIOD!
Ephesians 5:11 – have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness,
rather expose them!
c.
Realize the dangers
-
just as your reputation can be damaged by some poor choice you
make or something that you say, so it is on social media.
What you post is out there
forever! Even if you regret
something and try to retract it, you may not be able to completely
remove your online trail.
The Bible calls for us to have a good reputation - Proverbs 22:1, “A
good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather
than silver and gold.”
Romans 12:17 tells us to “have
regard for good things in the sight of all men.”
d.
Be careful what you share (post, tweet, blog, whatever they call it)
– are you reflecting immodesty with the pictures you post?
Are you wearing clothing that is too revealing?
IF it is a picture, it is still as immodest as if it were live!
Do people see you practicing ungodly habits and activities?
Do you brag about movies you have no business watching?
Are you going places that have a bad influence?
e.
Choose your friends wisely – we all (well most of us) need good friends.
But they need to be GOOD friends!
1 Corinthian 15:33 tells us that evil company corrupts good
habits.
Galatians 5:9 simply says, “A
little leaven leavens the whole lump”
The very idea of a church (local) is that it is a body that is
functioning and all parts are working in unison with the others (cf. 1
Cor. 12:12-27, Ephesians 4:16, 1 Cor. 1:10, etc.
Proverbs 22:24-25, “Make no
friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you
learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.”
You may need to block or
unfriend those who continually post that which is inappropriate.
f.
Be totally honest
– this cannot be emphasized enough!
Honesty needs to a hallmark of the Christian.
Ephesians 4:25 tells us to each one speak truth to his neighbor.
Vs. 29 says to let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth.
Revelation 21:8 tells us that all liars will have their part in the lake
of fire and brimstone.
Again 1 Peter 2:12 speaks of honorable conduct among the Gentiles – live
so that they will glorify God.
We need to be careful what we post or forward.
There is much misinformation on social media.
People express their prejudices often with extreme prejudice –
posting anything that sounds good to bolster their cause.
The more sensation something is about your opponent, the quicker
we share it with all our friends, as if that will convert them.
How truthful it is doesn’t matter!
That truly is sad. As
Christians, if we actively post on social media, we ought to have a
reputation of honesty and honor in our demeanor and the truthfulness of
what we share.
And that is just one aspect of honesty.
g.
Don’t gossip –
one of the challenges of the internet is that we are not speaking
face to face with others.
Depending on how efficient someone is, they may even be able to
HIDE their identity (speaking anonymously).
Therefore, it becomes easier to exaggerate, slant something in
our favor, talk about others (truthful or not), etc.
Reputations can be ruined by internet posts just as much as by
word of mouth (or writing in letters or tabloids).
And whether it is spoken, written or communicated electronically
– if it is a lie, it is WRONG!
Prov. 11:13, “A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a
matter.”
THIS also includes forwarding what others have posted – I content you
are still liable to make sure it is the truth!
Proverbs 20:19, “He who
goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate
with one who flatters with his lips.”
Maybe the talebearer is one you need to “unfriend”.
h.
Don’t be angry or bitter – Ephesians 4:31 – we are to put away bitterness and wrath.
Frequently, I see posts that are written in anger or bitterness.
You can see the hateful tone.
Sometimes these are even seen in religious discussions online.
Don’t behave that way.
i.
Don’t make unrighteous
judgments –
John 7:24, Jesus taught that we are to judge with a righteous judgment.
That means we have all the facts straight before me make a
decision.
Proverbs 18:13, “He who answers a
matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.”
I cannot tell you how many times I have read something someone else sent
and became angry with it – (such as the ACLU suing to remove crosses
from tombstones in national cemeteries, etc.) only to investigate and
find out it was an outright lie designed to inflame.
Then I become angry because sometimes it is my brethren
forwarding these things.
Before you make a judgment, get the facts.
If you unsure, DON’T POST IT!!!!!!!!!! (And even if it is true,
if it is unkind – maybe you should STILL not post it!)
j.
Don’t glorify yourself
– be humble! Prov. 25:27, “It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one’s own glory is not
glory.” Matt. 23:12 –
Jesus taught that whoever exalts himself will be humbled (comes after
rebuking the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees for loving to be exalted
– 23:3-12)
There are some on social media who are seeking to brag about how
wonderful they are, or revealing every little thing about themselves.
The goal of many is to see how many “likes” they can get.
Our goal should not be our own glorification.
I also think of the what I call “bullying posts”, where your integrity,
faith, morality, etc. are questioned if you don’t forward this post to
everyone you know. These are
arrogant posts. I QUICKLY
delete them.
k.
Manage your time wisely
– Ephesians 5:16 tells us to redeem our time.
James 4:14-15 tells us our life is a vapor that appears for a
little time and then vanishes away.
It is very easy to let social media, online discussions, playing games,
going to all the sites that our “friends” recommend, etc.
Last year, the globalweb index reported that its consumers spent 1.72
hours a day on social networks.[1]
CNN reported last November that teens and tweens spend an average of 9
hours a day engaged in electronic media (including television, games,
music and internet).[2]
While using social media can be useful, are we so addicted to it that it
robs us of time to do more godly things?
Is it why we can’t visit, study or attend all services?
l.
It can become an
addiction –
is the reason some spend so much time on the internet because it has
become an addiction to them.
It can be such if we allow it to.
Anything like this that is an addiction is sinful.
1 Cor. 6:12,
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful.
All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power
of any. “
CHALLENGE: Determine that you are going to go a week without social
media (except maybe work related).
Can you do it?
Social media clearly has its purpose.
As we have noted it is here to stay and good can come from it.
But just as we are to be a godly example within society, so we
need to be a good “social neighbor.” How
is your influence in these matters?