Did you know that roughly half of the world’s 7.7 billion people use social media on a regular basis? Chances are, if you’re reading this blog post, you accessed it through a social media platform, such as Facebook or LinkedIn. Not only that, but for every 6.4 seconds you spend reading this blog post, a new social media user is becoming part of a global, online community.1 The bottom line is, social media is shaping who we are, and how we relate to the world around us.
Over the next few blog posts that I share, I’ll be answering the question, How, if at all, does social media impact our spirituality? To put it another way, Is there a relationship between how we use social media, and our connection (or lack thereof) with God?
True, the Bible does not explicitly address how one should use social media. You will not find a verse that says, “Thou shalt not tweet more than 10 times per day.” However, the Bible does teach principles that extend beyond the time, place, and cultures in which they were written. I personally believe that these principles address all of our actions, including how we should use social media in a way that honors God, ourselves, and those around us.
So, let’s get to it. What principles does the Bible teach that address how we should use social media? Before we answer that question though… Why do we use social media in the first place?
There are many good reasons to use social media: to stay connected with family and friends, to share pictures, to be informed about current events, to network and increase one’s chances of gaining employment. There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of these things.
But there is another reason that many of us use social media, and it boils down to one word: Validation.
Let’s be honest: We feel good when a post receives a lot of likes, reactions, and comments. We check back constantly to see how much attention our post has received. Deep down, some of us dream of making that one post that will “go viral.” And if our post doesn’t get the attention we thought it would, we begin to question whether or not it was worth it to post in the first place.
To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with validation. It’s a human need. But have we become addicted to validation through social media? It’s possible. A reason for this could be that when one receives a like on Instagram, for example, the same reaction happens in the brain as if that person took a drug.2 Wow.
Here are some questions to wrestle with: From where do you receive your ultimate sense of validation? Is it from social media, people, your job title, your money, your accomplishments… or is it from God? The Bible teaches that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), valuable (Matthew 10:29-31), and chosen by God (1 Peter 2:9). Our status in God’s eyes is not affected by how popular our posts are, how much of a following we have, or the noteworthy things that we have done.
To me though, one of the most amazing stories of validation and value comes through the story of Jesus’ baptism. You can read it for yourself in Matthew 3:13-17, but the key statement comes from God at the end of the passage, where He says publicly, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (v. 17). PAUSE.
Jesus hadn’t performed a single miracle.
Jesus hadn’t started His earthly ministry.
Jesus hadn’t gained any followers yet (pun intended).
Jesus hadn’t gone to the Cross to save humanity.
Jesus hadn’t resurrected from the grave.
Jesus hadn’t ascended into heaven.
So… what was so pleasing to God about Jesus? His decision to be baptized? I’m sure God was happy about that. But more fundamentally, I believe that it was the simple fact that Jesus was His Son. God validated Jesus, just because of who He was.
Here’s the takeaway: If you’re using social media to make yourself feel better about yourself, you don’t have to. You’re already valuable in the eyes of God, just for who you are! No amount of likes can outdo God’s love for you!
So, as you use continue to use social media, I want to challenge you to stop and think before you post. Why am I making this post? Is it for the validation, or am I secure in my God-given identity? Am I informing, or am I just showing off? Ask God to search your heart, and be open to what He may reveal to you (see Psalm 139:23-24). As you respond to His leading, you can trust that He will guide you to use social media in a way that is pleasing to Him.
Thanks for reading! Part Two of this series is coming soon! Until then, please subscribe to my blog to stay up to date on the latest content!
Sources:
1 https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/amazing-social-media-statistics-and-facts
2 https://www.businessinsider.com/what-happens-to-your-brain-like-instagram-dopamine-2017-3
Note: All Bible verses are taken from the New King James Version.
Beyond The Pews 