*This is Part 2 of a three-part series. Check out Part 1 by clicking here.
I want to help you think like a Christian about social media, so let’s talk.
No, I’m not going to lecture you on how much time you spend on your phone. There is no way to set a limit that encompasses every person’s lifestyle, age, season of life, career, etc.
No, I’m not going to give you a list of things you can’t share. The moralist in me desperately wants to find that list so I can follow it and be better than everyone else, though. So if you find it, let me know! (Obviously kidding)
No, I’m not here to shame you. We were created to cultivate and appreciate beauty in all its forms. Social media can be an outlet for creativity. For others it’s strictly utilitarian. Both are fine and reflect the wonderful diversity God has created in each of us.
To Share Or Not To Share on Social Media
What I’d rather do is share some general principles I’ve used over the past couple years that have helped me navigate what I share and don’t share with the world.
Even though Scripture doesn’t talk about social media, it has plenty to say about our hearts. And whatever we have in our heart will come out, even (or maybe especially!) on our social media feeds.
My hope is that this will help some of you who, like me, struggle with feeling guilt or shame around what you share on social media. Maybe you struggle with sharing things that are hurtful or damaging and the comment section has become a battlefield where no one wins. This is for you. Maybe you’re too nervous to post anything, so you keep to yourself, even when you think you should speak up. This is for you, too.
The following principles are posed in the form of five questions I ask myself every time I post something. Okay, maybe not when I post a video of my youngest… because, let’s be honest, it would be a sin to withhold his cuteness from all my friends and family! But hopefully, these principles will help you think like a Christian about social media, especially through this cultural moment in history.
1. What are my motives in posting or sharing this?
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
I think our social media posts fall into the “or whatever you do” category here. We need to ask ourselves some real questions before hitting the share button.
Why do I want to post this? Am I posting out of anger? Does this article make me feel justified or prideful? Is my intent to make others feel as emotional as I do about a topic? Am I trying to prove I’m right about something? Is my intent to condemn or judge someone, or a group of people? Am I being sober-minded, like Carter talked about in our last blog post? Can I honestly say that sharing this post will glorify God?
Maybe the article on politics or COVID-19 or [insert other divisive topics here] should be shared via private message with a friend to discuss. I love it when a friend sends me a controversial article or podcast and says, “Let’s talk about this next time we hang out, I want your opinion.” Those discussions are always so rewarding, even if we don’t agree in the end.
Hiding behind a screen does not give us a “free pass” to say whatever we want without love. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:3-5, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
So let’s have this mind (motivation) to lift others up, instead of being driven by rivalry, conceit, or selfishness.
2. Am I looking for approval from others?
Most of what we share is out of a desire to be known. And while it’s good to want to be known, the problem comes when we think being known on a screen can replace being fully known by our Creator.
If the number of likes and comments are going to affect how we see our value, then we are putting our worth in the wrong hands.
God sees past all the filtered feeds and straight into the depths of our hearts. He sees what we don’t share. The good news is that none of it will cause him to leave or forsake us. In fact, he loves us in spite of it all. His approval is more than enough.
3. Is this post true?
Has it been properly vetted? Would it be better to wait for more facts to come in before sharing?
Not much else needs to be said here. This rings true for the current pandemic we are in. The “share” button is trending out of control. If we can’t honestly answer this question, then its most loving to our neighbor not to share.
We want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem when it comes to spreading false information.
4. How does this post reflect on Jesus?
If you share something you know will reflect poorly on Jesus and his mission, it’s a lot like giving someone the finger while driving with a Jesus fish and your church’s logo on your bumper.
What you share matters. It reveals what’s in your heart. We won’t get this right every time – enter God’s grace – but we need to be ready to be vulnerable and ask for forgiveness when we get this wrong.
5. Who can save people from sin and death?
Only Jesus. Social media does not have the power to save. Neither do our posts.
Let me remind you (and myself) that it’s not our job to carry the weight of the world and all its issues on our shoulders. That job is only meant for our loving, heavenly Father. Our posts can’t save anyone.
Don’t get me wrong. There are times when we should speak up. Prayerfully consider when you feel like you should say something on social media. It’s not bad to want to give people your perspective. But when you do decide to speak up on an issue, I hope you’ll use these questions to check yourself.
General rule of thumb: If you’re uncertain whether or not to share something, just don’t. I’ve never regretted not sharing something, but I have plenty of examples of posting something I wish I hadn’t. And then they show up “on this day four years ago…” Oh, the humiliation! Delete! Delete!
What I hope we can all see here is that social media is a tool. Are we using it, or is it using us?
Tamara Mundy is our Ministry Assistant at Redemption Church.
She’s the best wife and mother a family could ask for. Her husband loves her wisdom and insight, and he’s thankful for her leadership. She’s a great mother who disciples their three children well. Tamara has a penchant for design and all things home improvement!