I have been facebook user since 2008. I found social media to be quite a thrill, having never been a myspace user or twitter user. Facebook offered me the freedom to keep in contact with my friends all over the country; and even around the world. However, despite the benefits, facebook has some major detractors. The most evident to me is motives. Originally when people took pictures of themselves and family or places; these pictures were placed in a scrapbook and kept to enjoy within the bounds of family and close friends. Now these precious snapshots of people's lives are being posted on facebook profiles. It is even become systemic that people are taking pictures so they can share them on facebook; making it more of an event or spectacle to brag about or update their circles on the bliss they are enjoying. This vanity spreads as the purpose for taking pictures is to share them via post on any of the social networks. The desire to capture a memory becomes more about "status" updates than treasuring an experience.
Quickly this modern means to meet people and mingle is becoming a monster that destroys people socially and spiritually. I do not know how many times I have had to block or delete a friend because suddenly, as if under some spell, they decide to post a pontification that is so pernicious and perverse that I do not want to be associated with it or the person who posted it. I have heard facebook be called "fascadebook" and that people create glamourious lives; show casing only the best parts of themselves, but I have also found facebook to be in my own words, "follybook." Suddenly, people I thought were very humble and kind start behaving like vagabounds and without an ounce of propriety. I have been disturbed by the devilish disclosures and downright distasteful digital deeds I have seen.
What was meant to be a social networking site, has quickly turned into scandal notary site. The drama that unfolds on sites like facebook, twitter, and Google+ is systematic of our age. People have abandoned privacy and decided to publish anything that in on their hearts and minds. This is folly because it has major consequences. I had an aqauntaince of mine, a friend of friend post something vile on their profile. It was so devious and dangerous I had to call the police and have that person investigated! Since then I have had to cut ties with people I thought I knew because of the outrageous behavior they exhibit on their profiles. Most of these people were fellow Christians! How has connecting via social networking turned people into such little Satans?! What happened to, "guard your heart with all diligence," (Proverbs 4:23) and "be wise as serpents and gentle as doves?" (Matt 10:16). Have people so compartmentalized their lives that they claim to be Christ's disciples while acting like anti-Christs online?!
I do not blame social networking sites like facebook for the folly and foolish behavior of people who are subscribed to their sites. It is the individuals who are responsible. What concerns me is that the more access we have to each other online, the more this behavior persists and even permeates. People who you thought were good God fearing Christians, suddenly start acting like Miley Cyrus and Madonna wannabes! How can so many act with such cognitive dissonance?!
It is a shame that socializing is becoming about scandal. That people when they have their own "profile pulpit" decide to behave in such perverse ways. You would think with the spotlight on them, people would be more careful and conscious of what they post; but instead they act with reckless abandon. I urge all who claim to be Christ's children to act with caution and start using their social networking sites to glorify God and advance His kingdom. Rather than publish more scandal or become part of one, focus on the good things you share in common with others. Let positive interests, talents, and hobbies be what you "share and like" and stop feeding the melodrama! Let Christ be seen on your profile and not Charlie Sheen! If you cannot act like Christ online, how can you in person? If you can edit and have complete control of your social networking conversations and fail; how will you talk like a son or daughter of the Living God in person and when you cannot spell check, edit, and refine your words? Discipline must extend beyond classrooms, courtrooms, and churches. It must be in every area of our lives. Take a stand and stop the salacious and sickening sharing on your social networking sites. Decide to be a disciple of Christ not only on Sundays or in public, but in your very homes; and especially on your social networking sites.
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