Christians and Social Media
Written by: Elizabeth
Oath of God Ministries
Social media is neither good nor bad. It depends on how people use the tools provided them for any social networking site as well as the motive behind its use. People use Facebook for a variety of different reasons. Clearly, Facebook does have some delightful benefits in helping friends and family keep in touch with one another. Facebook is also an excellent tool in helping ministry leaders broadcast their videos and Christian teachings to thousands of believers across the globe. Businesses also use Facebook as an essential tool in reaching new customers. It is a phenomenal network that extends worldwide.
In fact, during the coronavirus lockdown in 2020, – many people received Christ Jesus as their personal Savior because of different ministries going “live” on Facebook as well as YouTube. Both social media platforms allow channel owners to carry live conversions, deliverances, bible teachings, and prophetic revelations to Christians on a worldwide basis. So we know that social media in our culture does deliver both benefits and blessings to viewers.
However, scripture clearly cautions the individual Christian to use the tools available in this world with discretion and wisdom. “And those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.” (1 Col. 7:31)
The Christian:
Overall we should remember that Facebook and YouTube should never be used as a substitute for deeper and more meaningful relationships. Nor should Facebook become an escape hatch from the difficulties that each of us faces on a daily basis. Whenever possible it is best to communicate directly with other believers, trusted friends, and family. Picking up the phone to speak with a friend or family member or taking them out to lunch carries with it far greater meaning and provides the believer with memories that will last forever. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father is evident by the vertical post of Christ’s Cross. The horizontal bar indicates our relationship with others. Christ is the binding joint that brings both together in harmony by reconciling us to the Father.
For the individual Christian, Facebook is a wonderful platform to post beautiful images that glorify God and where sound bites of scripture can efficaciously be used by the Holy Spirit to encourage or inspire others to overcome the difficult hurdles in their lives. Again, scripture makes it clear that all activities including the most basic like eating and drinking should honor Christ Jesus. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” and this includes all social media activities. These more honorable posts when sprinkled throughout one’s personal Facebook account will abundantly overshadow the frivolous sound bites that are here today but forgotten tomorrow and by themselves normally die a gradual death. Spending time reading the bible so that proper witnessing can take place on FaceBook or YouTube anywhere else will prove to be time well spent. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” What most Christians don’t realize is that how one spends time honoring God in this world will also impact what takes place at the Bema Seat which carries with it eternal consequences.
In many ways, Facebook and YouTube can prove to be priceless vehicles to the believer who genuinely desires to satisfy the Great Commission as commanded by Jesus. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This is a command – not an option and it remains high treason against His throne when we neglect to utilize opportunities to glorify Christ Jesus. Therefore it does no harm to see a little bit more of Jesus and a little bit less of self whether on Facebook or anywhere else. Unfortunately one finds very little visibility of this effort while surfing the streaming sea of Facebook accounts. Once the believer’s account, which does little to honor Christ Jesus, becomes attached to the church’s account it can become very revealing and it doesn’t always put the believer or the church in a favorable light.
Instead of honoring Christ Jesus on FaceBook which lends an opportunity to witness to others, we find instead FaceBook accounts owned by believers that list secular television shows, heroes, novels, bands, music, and movies on personal Facebook accounts without even the slightest hint of Jesus and for some believers it sadly shows how much they are living in the world during this Laodicean church age. Clearly, there is nothing wrong with keeping up with family and various events but if the site is completely void of honoring our Lord Christ Jesus – it’s a reflection of the believer’s heart and scripture warns us that Christ Jesus must come before all family members. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Mat 10:37) Jesus clearly warns the believer that He must be the primary focus in all of the believer’s activities. Otherwise, it is idolatry. Even in the photo trails of selfies – it’s sometimes difficult to find the salt and light in a believer’s life. Sharing with others is a delightful gesture but Facebook should never become a platform for gaining attention, bragging, or a place that feeds one’s neediness to be noticed.
Church leaders should be keenly aware that many clinical psychologists are now reporting Facebook addictions and this phenomenon does not exclude believers. Christians are expected to be sound stewards of their time management. Social networking should never be allowed to rob a believer’s valuable time away from reading scripture or quiet time alone with God in prayer. It should never consume a believer’s time from family members, housework, homework or other top priorities. With or without Facebook our time should be spent according to His good will for our lives which furthers the kingdom of God for Christ Jesus. Clearly, we should be redeeming the time that God has provided each of us on a daily basis. “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph 5:16) In fact more and more Christians are either deleting their Facebook accounts altogether or are at least scaling back on the amount of time they spend on Facebook.
Our Conduct:
A Christian believer should never use any social media platform for argument or debate. “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Col 4:6) A Christian should never unexpectedly dismiss a friend unless the matter has been discussed in advance either by phone or in person with the sole objective of reaching a mutual agreement or harmonious resolution. “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12:18) Apologies should always be delivered in person or by phone and never by email as it trivializes the trespass and can actually make matters worse. Condolences should never be passed along via FaceBook or email as the loss of someone’s loved one should never be treated so casually. Overall our activities on FaceBook should be a reflection of our lives in Christ Jesus where nothing corrupt or harmful is spoken. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Eph 4:29)
In summary, whatever activity a Christian determines to do, it should always honor Christ Jesus first and foremost. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”. (1 Cor 10:31)
15 Questions to Help Christians Follow Jesus on Social Media
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Outreach Ministries and the Church:
Clearly, Facebook can serve a church community in uplifting ways if carefully managed by church leaders or it can give the appearance of a messy blog site comfortably framed in a worldly setting of posted sound bites. There is always a risk that either the pastor, church, or ministry will receive unfavorable comments. I have observed where a pastor entered a 5-star on himself just to bring the church’s Facebook ratings up. Pastors who use this strategy must remember that a pastor should not be found running a popularity contest. 
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31) The focus should always be on Christ Jesus, not on a pastor or church. Ratings are lawful but do they honor God? “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.” (I Cor. 6:12) Every Christian, including church leaders, must be careful not to be brought under a power that brings gross attention to self or the need to be admired by others. The calling on one’s life to be a church leader is faith-based – not performance-based. It is never pointing to self but dying to self. A believer should always be spirit-led when searching for a biblically grounded church rather than being influenced by a fleeting sound bite posted by a visitor or believer both of whom may have different maturity levels in the Word and different motives for choosing a church.
Equipping the saints to evangelize their communities and encouraging church members to forge outreach ministries while inviting their next-door neighbors to church will always help to fill the pews more effectively than Facebook. The ultimate goal is to expand the flock by evangelizing surrounding populations so that new converts to Christ can be fed the rich Word of God.
Years ago, I noticed a ministry leaders’s website. It was full of repetitive photos of himself. He had posted selfies everywhere on his website. It was excessive. His book covers were also photos of himself. He posted an apology on his website to anyone whom he might have hurt over the years. The post provided lame excuses as to why he might have hurt others. Clearly, this ministry leader had too much focus on himself.
Although YouTube is very effective for outreach ministries that need to communicate to a broad spectrum of believers on a worldwide basis, a ministry’s platform can still receive comments that are unfavorable – even if the content is scripturally grounded. Therefore, community guidelines should always be respected whereby Christian bloggers whereby they should never operate from an argumentative standpoint. Any disagreement should be amicably posted along with multiple scriptures that properly support the believer’s point of view or interpretation of scripture.
