”Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

I remember long ago in a church far, far away there was a testimony service. My friend stood up in the midst, offered a sheepish smile to the congregation, and began to expound on her morning getting ready for church. It went something like, “I slept right through the alarm. The boys refused the get out of bed. Everybody bickered at breakfast. My husband and I ended up in a full shouting match in the car on the way. As I was coming inside, I realized I was wearing two different shoes, and to top it all off, I have a run in my hose.”

There was an awkward silence followed by muffled snickers. Not be because it was funny, but because each of us could relate. We had just never considered letting anyone else know of our own struggles…especially not people in the church who we were always trying to measure up to. She concluded her testimony by exhorting beautifully about the goodness of God in the midst of her less than perfect circumstances.

This event was before social media made its entrance into our lives. Now, as I sit and peruse my friends’ and acquaintances’ newsfeeds, they all seem to have such perfectly immaculate and pristine lives. Mine included.

We post the stunning sunsets and mountain vistas. We share the joyful memories and delightful surprises. We document wedding proposals and grand babies’ first steps. But rarely do you see the days of agonizing sickness, or reckless words hurled in a heated moment. We would never admit publicly how we slammed down a frying pan, took a swing at the dog or threw our hands up in despair for the second time this month. Our fear, fury and failures are off limits to the general public…and so should they be.

On occasion, I have seen the opposite approach to social media. I’ve been inadvertently brought along on people’s nighttime refrigerator raids, included in their struggle to find the perfect outfit for an event that’s a year away, and have been caught in the crossfire of unrestrained and scathing attacks on an unsuspecting person’s character.

I’m not suggesting that we open the vaults of ugliness, and sell tickets. I am suggesting, however, that we remember what we see on social media are generally only the highlight reels of people’s lives.

THE NEED FOR PARAMETERS

Free speech is a wonderful liberty, and I’m a fan of it. But liberty should always be guided by the Fruit of the Spirit with some wisdom and discretion thrown in. If visiting social media land leaves you overly emotional from one end of the spectrum to the other, here are a few parameters you can put in place to keep things in perspective:

1. Choose to use social media for a specific purpose rather than as a daily diary. Perhaps you have a business, and use your platform to promote your products. If you are a minister, you might use your internet space to share the gospel, and draw attention to the miraculous works of God. When you go on the trip of a lifetime, you’ll definitely want to document your travels…and of course, you’re going to share grand baby photos;)
2. Be mindful of how your post might be perceived. Will it encourage, or discourage? Allow God’s Spirit to guide you. When in doubt, don’t.
3. Don’t use social media as therapy. If you’re struggling emotionally, posting to social media will no doubt generate many responses. Ten out of ten will most likely give differing advice from the rest. What you need is a godly person who is trustworthy to confide in. A Holy Ghost filled pastor or counselor is a good starting place. If you must reach out to them via technology, do so privately.
4. Don’t post in anger. Take some time. Get some distance from the source of your frustration. Pray for a season. Don’t blast people publicly.
5. Limit your time on social media. Decide on a realistic allotment of daily time, and stick to it. Set a timer if you have to. Focus your time on personal relationships and beneficial pastimes.
6. Selectively “unfriend” or “unfollow” people. Unfriend people whose lifestyles are blatantly promoted on social media as against the Word of God. Unfollow people whose posts cause consistent negative impact in your daily social media viewing.
7. Don’t believe everything you read or watch on social media.
8. Don’t compare your life to those spotlighted on social media. Realize what they are choosing to show the public is only a fraction of the whole.
9. Choose to use social media, the internet and technology as tools to learn by, not live by.
10. Spend time with God in prayer and in His Word daily before spending time on social media.

IN SUMMARY 

There’s never been a generation with more access to information than ours. With great access comes great responsibility. As Christians, we have the responsibility of being good stewards over our own lives, as well as others’ who we choose to interact with. In all interactions, we are called to use wisdom, discretion and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Warm Regards,

~Pat~