Before we move forward, let's get a couple definitions down. Social media is defined as "websites and application that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking." So, what's involved in this? It's Facebook, it's Twitter, it's Instagram, it's WhatsApp, it's YouTube, it's SnapChat, it's Pintrest. The main thing to remember is that the lifeblood of social media involved user-generated (so, you and me) content like texts or photos.
Now, not every one of you are necessarily using every form of social media. Some of you may be using only one form, and the most common platform in the Trinity community from what I see is Facebook. I'm sorry I'm operating under the assumption that you all generally know what I'm talking about, but if you're totally unaware or uninvolved with social media then you can just bookmark this discussion and keep it in your mind's archives. And if you aren't involved with it at all, don't read me as encouraging you to be. I tend to say if it's not a part of your life, don't worry about making it so. It's simply less opportunity for temptation as we'll see in a bit.
So, for the sake of this conversation let's consider social media as a gift, not unlike money or sex or family or beauty. Social media is a gift and a privilege given to us by our God, because everything is His, and He's placed it within our hands to be good stewards (users!) of it. However, because we're fallen humans, we tend to do a really excellent job making bad use of good gifts. We often struggle with making idols out of these good gifts that God has given us. We have a tendency to worship the created rather than the Creator. You see with every good gift we're given, there are opportunities and good uses for it within the framework of Biblical wisdom. However, there are temptations that come with it as well. Let's first look at some of the great opportunities we have with social media, and then we'll look at the temptations that come with it. And finally, I'll offer a couple tips, or more just questions to ask ourselves as we navigate how to be Biblical users of social media in general.
Opportunities
Connecting - How many of you are here from another location whether within the U.S. or another country and you use social media to keep in touch? So many of us do! We can stay connected with friends and family through small but meaningful and consistent ways thanks to social media. My own mother-in-law, who is from Honduras, has been able to keep up ongoing conversations with her cousins back home thanks to WhatsApp. I'm able to see that daily goings-on of my friends' babies thanks to SnapChat. My dad, a social media skeptic, even commented on how blessed he was by all the birthday wishes he receive from friends of all circles thanks to Facebook. We're able to communicate, connect, and stay in touch with family and friends, especially those far away, in ways that were never available to us years ago.
Sharing - How many of you have learned how to do something brand new through social media, like a recipe on Pintrest or one of those little Tasty videos through BuzzFeed? Or how many of you have read a really insightful and encouraging parenting article, or learned about news happening across the globe because someone shared it? It's incredible what we're able to share with each other through social media platforms. We're also able to build critical awareness about important causes and movements. As a Christian, it's been both heartbreaking and challenging to see news about the tumult occurring in countries like Turkey and Pakistan that might otherwise go unnoticed without social media. I believe awareness of such things is good, especially when it can prompt us to prayer and redemptive action.
Creating - Social media has provided me with some of my most creative and inspired moments. I've loved using Pintrest to organize and better understand my personal taste in fashion and art. Instagram can provide an excellent creative outlet for those who love the visual arts and enjoy dabbling in photography. Unknown, everyday folks with great talents in music suddenly have the ability to share their music with us through YouTube. As someone who loves makeup, I've loved being able to see what others use and how they use it as inspiration for my own work. Social media can inspire great creativity, and it can be really fun!
Temptations - Let's now look at some of the temptations that can come with a social media presence.
Comparison - I don't know how many times I've compared "my life" to "her life" just by looking at photos, or where acquaintances are checking in and the things I see they're doing. I compare looks, possessions, life stages, family, you name it. If you can share it, you can compare it. However, we're told in Proverbs that "A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot." Envy and comparison are ultimately signs of ungratefulness to the Lord. We know it is good for us to praise Him and thank Him for what He has given us, and all that is to say nothing of the fact that social media often involves a veiled, filtered, partial look into someone's life. Additionally, we need to ask ourselves if we're prompting others to comparison. We need to be sure we're praising our husbands or celebrating our children and their accomplishments in humility.
Unnecessary anxiety - Is it good for us to be aware of current news that's happening around the globe? Yes, I would say it's a fine thing. Would I say it's good for us to hear everyone's hot take on that news, and hear everyone's opinion on that news? No, I'd say not. It's important to know that we do not need to hear everyone's opinion on everything, for not everyone's opinion is righteous or of any good use! Paul tells us to cast our anxieties on Christ, and it can be difficult to do so when we're listening to do many voices shouting at us online, proclaiming doom and destruction. Anxiety can do a great job at keeping the Holy Spirit from being the loudest and most primary voice in your life, and social media can be a huge proponent of that.
Addiction - We do know that, as is the case with many of God's gifts, we as humans are prone to twisting these gifts and becoming addicted to them. Addiction is defined as the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular thing, substance, or activity. If you are constantly checking your apps, if you are seeming glued to them and unable to take time apart from social media and are constantly glued to it, even during times you know you probably shouldn't be (i.e. your spouse is asking you not to, your child is trying to get your attention), you might be dealing with addiction. Know that it can also greatly affect your health. Studies have shown that heavy users of social media are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders and depression.
Lack of wisdom in what we way and post - This is the trickiest one of all. We as Christians and particularly as leaders within church ministry are called to a higher standard when it comes to what we say. It's just the reality of things for us. One thing I've noticed about social media is that it can cause us to be much less thoughtful communicators, and less critical thinkers. We believe everything we see and hear, and feel the need to react to it. We jump on every bandwagon hashtag and display visceral anger at unconfirmed or incomplete news stories released seconds ago. Think of social media as a wave machine that is constantly pulsing out waves, and constantly prompting you to ride the ripples of those waves. We are literally tossed about back and forth by every wave and blown about by every wind that comes across us, and it deeply affects the way we interact with others.
James, however, tells us that we are to be slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to anger. We must prayerfully and carefully consider our words before we choose to post a tweet, post an update, or react to someone else's words. Even words that we see as a joke need to be carefully considered. social media poses the temptation to be impulsive with what we say, to be the first one to put out a "hot take" on the latest even, or to even speak on something when I believe there are times when the Holy Spirit is calling us to be silent, be still, and maybe not say anything at all. Proverbs tell us that whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper displays folly. There is freedom in the fact that we don't need to have an opinion on everything, and knowing that not everyone's opinion matters. In fact, the belief that we are entitled to a public reaction or word on everything is, in fact, unbiblical and un-Christlike.
Tips - With these things in mind, here are a couple questions to be asking ourselves or things to be doing to keep ourselves in check as Christians navigating through social media.
Can you do without it? - Can you put your phone aside for a day or two, or delete any apps, even temporarily, that are causing you anxiety and comparison problems? Be a consistent self-evaluator and seek God's wisdom on these things.
Have a cut-off time and a Sabbath. - Remember that self-care is a form of worship and honoring the Lord. Take a day each week to Sabbath from social media, and have a cut-off time each night at least an hour before you go to bet. It's also not good to wake up to social media; I'd suggest waiting at least an hour after you get up before checking any apps. It's healthiest if your waking and sleeping moments belong to the Lord.
Always be asking yourself why you're posting what you post before you post it! - Is what you're posting self-seeking, or an attempt for attention that should be fulfilled by God's love for you and your husband's affirmation of you? If you're posting something about your child (i.e. a frustrated mama moment), is is something that might hurt them if they were to see it in the future when perhaps they join Facebook or Instagram? And remember - we in ministry have a greater obligation. We are to be beacons of the Gospel first and foremost. This does not mean that all you should do is post Chris Tomlin song lyrics or articles from Christianity Today. I really, truly don't think that God cares whether or not you love sharing cat videos. Have fun with social media; it's a gift!
However, I believe we most importantly need to be asking ourselves if what we're posting is something that might negatively affect you and your husband's present or future ministry endeavors. Titus tells us that we are to be ornaments of the Gospel, making it attractive to others. This means being conscious of our words, our pictures, and our online presence in general for the sake of ministry. For instance, it's fun to tease and be silly with my husband online, but I do know I have to be careful and consider that what I say to him is not read as disrespectful. Remember, not everyone hears a joke the way you do, and tone online is different than tone in real time. And various churches and seminaries that might hire your husband won't only be checking his profiles; they'll be checking yours!
Read Proverbs! - If you want a play-by-play on how a fool speaks and acts, read Proverbs. The words of King Solomon tell us exactly what not to do as users of social media, and just how detrimental foolish behavior really is in our own lives and those we impact. However, Proverbs also provide converse instructions for the righteous. Consider Proverbs as your "Users 101" guide to social media. And if I could add one thing to King Solomon's wise words, it would be to never read the comments section!
Considering all these things, let's commit to consistently turning over our social media selves to God. Who we are online is not separate from the rest of our being; every part of us belongs to Him. And be encouraged that we have great opportunities with social media for the Kingdom and our own personal joy. Be an encouragement to others with it. Share helpful words. Connect with friends. Create and share beautiful, thoughtful things with it. Have fun, and have boundaries. Be honest, yet wise. Know that we've been given a gift. Use and enjoy social media in wisdom and thankfulness, ultimately seeking His Kingdom first as we do in everything.
By McKenna Rishmawy
TWF Small Group Leader
