Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
There is nothing as free and as open today as the internet. I read somewhere that it is the only invention of man that did not come with a manual as to how it is to be used. Anybody can enter the internet and use it for his or her pleasures, in whatever and however they want to use it. This is what makes it a dangerous place for Christians. One place where that danger is very evident is Facebook.
An article recently came out where a Pastor of a church in the United States has commanded his leaders to erase their accounts on facebook because many of their members started having marital troubles. Why? Because many spouses were keeping in touch with "former flames", old lovers of the past, and rekindling their feelings for each other. And there are stories upon stories of how facebook has caused people to commit suicide, criminal acts, and immoral practices.
From my personal point of view I have either been asked to intervene on a number of similar situations, or have needed to counsel people on how they are using facebook. I have two couple friends whose marriage was rocked because either the husband or wife had a "friend" whom they were too close to, and even having an actual relationship. And from my vantage point I see a number of my friends, even church members and friends, either falling prey to immoral sites and having malware attack their computers, or actually posting videos, stories or using language that were not fit for someone who calls himself a Christian.
For some reason facebook calls upon people to be FREE. Free to post what they want, write what they want, use any foul language that they want, make fun of people as they want. Facebook has become a place where we vent out our anger, our bitterness about other people. And it has become a place where we advertise and share the lust of our flesh. This is what makes facebook a danger zone, a mine field, a place where Christians must walk tiptoeing slowly, watching each and every step they make! Sad to say, many Christians run with the crowd, with the fad, and eventually get caught in the trap set by the devil.
But facebook is not a free zone for Christians. We don't act "Christian" in the world, and then let ourself loose in facebook as if it gave us permission to be that way. The words of our Lord commanding us to live a life worthy of His calling are applicable in all areas of our life, including facebook. Allow me to share some passages of Scripture that should remind us how we should be using facebook:
Are we using facebook "as the Gentiles do", or as a Christian should use it?
Ephesians 4:17 (NIV)
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
Ephesians 4:19 (NIV)
19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
\Who is using facebook - our old self, or our new self?
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
What kind of "talk", kind of language do we use, do we type into our profile?
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Is there any hint, even just a hint, of sexual immorality in what we post or what we "like"?
Ephesians 5:3-4 (NIV)
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Have we become participants with the deeds of darkness, or are we living as children of light?
Ephesians 5:8-13 (NIV)
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
Are we being careful about how we live?
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)
15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
If facebook has opened a door for you to be "yourself", and to express whatever you want, however you want, then I'm afraid you have fallen into the trap of Satan, and have destroyed your testimony. Facebook has fooled us into thinking that whatever we type, whatever we post or "like" cannot be seen by anyone, not even God. But God does see...everything.
Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
So live wisely! Make facebook your mission field. Make it a tool for evangelism, for discipleship, for God's Word. Remember it is much a part of your life as your everyday walk is. And we will be judged for it.
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