The Gospel of Social Media
Introduction
Over the last decade many people have become “more religious”.
And by doing so they love to express it all over social media. But is this
really what God is looking for in one of His children? Are we furthering the
gospel or becoming victims of another one of Satan’s devices (2 Cor. 2:11)?
Super Information Highway
The internet is one of the greatest inventions of the late 20th
Century. Information, Friends, and Family at your fingertips. See pictures of
your newborn grandchild just moments after they are born or see your favorite
band perform live on the other side of the planet! With this kind of
technology, it also cuts research time in half.
Of course, the World Wide Web has its dark side. Pornography,
gambling, and unsavory dating sites are capturing people’s attention; as well
as their souls. Another problem is that it eats up your time faster than any
other activity out there. One minute your checking your e-mail and three hours
have passed after you find out that your favorite online store is having a
clearance sale.
Click ‘Like’ and Share
The main focal points on the internet are websites known as
Social Media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pintrest, and SnapChat just to name
a few have become an obsession for the younger generation. This is where
“Christians” can post memes of heartfelt sayings about Jesus and the bible then
encourage people to click the ‘Like’ button, type ‘Amen’, and then share with
other people.
Some people might ask, “Where’s the harm in this?” No harm
really until it becomes a demand for those who follow you. What I mean by this
is that some of these memes say things like, “Share if you love Jesus. Scroll
pass if you hate him.” Really? Is Jesus going to confront us on the Day of
Judgment and say, “So, I see you scrolled past a meme that says ‘Share if you
love me.’ I’m sorry to say this, but you’re going to hell!” Absolutely not!!
If the decision of going to Heaven or Hell rested on whether we
shared a meme or not, most of us would be bound for Hell. These types of memes
are Guilt-laden statements that want you to feel bad for not giving a ‘Like’ or
sharing it. This is the handy device of the devil as now people are conflicted
as to whether they should share it or just scroll past. If you didn’t fall for
the chain letter in the 70s or the chain e-mail in the 90s, why are you falling
for these? Most of the times those who post these memes don’t even give it a
second thought; they just post it as, to them, it speaks volumes about their
beliefs in God.
Let your Light Shine
In Mt. 5:16 Jesus said, “Let your light
so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father
in heaven.” One of the best ways we can
prove we are Christians is simply the way we live our lives. The way we walk,
talk, and react to one another and situations as they come up. The light that
shines in our lives is a reflection of God’s light through His Son who is the
Light of the World (Jn. 8:12)
You don’t need to allow memes to prove to others that you are
a Christian; talk to people. Share your favorite bible verses online (even in a
meme), talk about a passage you read recently that made you see things
differently. But above all, don’t make people share it or tell them to type,
‘Amen’ or click ‘Like’. If the post you shared is worthy enough, people will
share it on their own. They might also respond to it with a comment and you
might be able to get a dialog going. That is sharing the gospel! As Paul wrote
in Rom. 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God.”
Conclusion
The internet and Social Media can be a great evangelistic
tool as long as it is used to further the gospel. Creating ‘click bait’ to make
people feel guilty about not sharing something is a sure way to fall victim to
the devil. Use your best judgment in regards to your posts. Find a way to share
the gospel and let your shine!
Comments
Post a Comment