How Social Media Can Keep Us From Our Blessings

Social media, as benign or clean as we think our content seems to be, actually can be detestable in the sight of God and keep us from our blessings. We must remember that the content we take in forms our values.

“I said to them, “Cast away each of you the detestable things of his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.” “But they rebelled against Me and were not willing to listen to Me; they did not cast away the detestable things of their eyes… Then I resolved to pour out My wrath on them to accomplish My anger against them…(Ez 20:7-8)

This Old Testament verse remains relevant today. In Scripture, Egypt represents the world system which is opposed to God. For this reason, we must exercise serious discernment regarding what we allow entertain us, shape our thoughts and capture our attention. Although we are not under God’s wrath if we are followers of Christ, we still need to heed the teachings in the bible in order to live a full and blessed life.

We can liken God’s leading to how we protect our children from certain television shows or movies to preserve their innocence. In a similar way, God calls us to guard our own hearts, using the Bible as our guide for discernment. Through Scripture, we learn that what we see is never neutral, it either draws us closer to God or gradually pulls our devotion away. Therefore, we must even limit our clean content so that it doesn’t become an idol.

How To Discern Good Content-It’s Not As Obvious As We Think

There are questions we can ask ourselves to discern whether we are using our time in ways that will ultimately bless us or hinder the blessings God intends. When we engage in things that are unholy or opposed to the Lord- for instance a self help influencer- the voice of the Holy Spirit can become like static – difficult to hear. As a result, we may miss God’s guidance and forfeit the blessings He desires for us. Worse, if we rely solely on our own understanding instead of the Spirit’s leading, our decisions can lead to dead end pursuits, regret or unnecessary pain.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”(Prov 3:5-6 NKJV)

QUESTIONS WE CAN ASK OURSELVES:

1. Who is this influencer- a Christian living out Christian values or simply a believer who is promoting self?

2. Is this influencer leading me to worship self or Jesus Christ?

3. What is this forming me into?

4. Does this influencer promote things God abhors? If God hates: violence, lust, pride, focus on money as a God, why do I consume it for pleasure?

For instance, I remember being at work one day, tapping my foot to a catchy song when suddenly this sentence landed in my head: “How can you like music I abhor?” It was a wake up call for me. Even seemingly innocent entertainment, I have learned, can carry messages, values, or influences that are contrary to God. As believers, we need to discern not just what is entertaining, but what aligns with God’s Word so we can be true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there isanything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”(Phil 4:8 NKJV)

If You Are A Serious Follower Of The Lord Jesus Christ- Apply These Filters:

The Lordship Test
Does this acknowledge Christ as Lord, or replace Him?
Websites that focus on money: how to acquire it and the pleasures or status it promises once you have it.
The Fruit Test
Does this produce repentance, humility, and love for God?
(Galatians 5:22–23)
The Devotion Test
Does this website lead me to understand God’s Word or compete with it? (Ez 20:7)
For example: Self care that becomes self promotion centered on comfort, aesthetics, entertainment or materialism.
The Stewardship Test
This is about caring for what belongs to God.

1. Body: Your body is a temple; you are not your own “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor 6:19-20)
2. Biblical rest/comfort: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”( Matthew 11:28)

The reason why the advice of a secular influencer has little if not nothing to give us, is because there is no life giving advice in the world. The world is full of decay and death because Satan is the god of this world. God’s Word is the only thing that guides us towards a full life, health, rest and peace.
Therefore, we learn how to rest from God so we can serve God. We say no to hustle culture and the sinful ideas that focus on acquiring money at the expense of relationships and instead say “No” to indulgence, burnout and chaos. We learn to discipline our wants and learn that our heavenly Father will indeed, give us all that we need.
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”(Matt 6:33)

IDOLATRY

When we make self as the highest authority in our lives rather than thinking of ourselves as servants of the Lord, we become our own god (many times unknowingly). Scriptural speaks on this:

“There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy…(2 Tim 3:1-2)

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. (Judges 21:25)

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jer 17:9)

Healthy Signs The Influencer is Worthy To Learn From

• Points consistently to God not self
• Encourages daily repentance, humility, obedience to the Word
• Acknowledges Scripture as the only foundation to life
• Does not monetize spiritual authority deceptively

“I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do;
I will have no part in it.”(Ps 101:3)

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.(Romans 12:2)

We scroll, click and watch without too much thought, but God’s Word teaches us to guard our eyes, protect our heart and let everything we consume point to caring for His world, His people and what He deems important.

Food For thought,
Lisa