In recent years technology has seen some major advances. I can remember there was a time when Christians were dead set against the internet and especially social media. However, Christians are increasingly getting more active with social media to make their voices heard. As someone who has pursued a Bachelor in Information Technology, a Christian, and a minister I fully believe that technology can be used for good and the furtherance of the Kingdom. But, there are some "Don'ts" that Christians should be aware of when using social media.
Note: this is not law and bondage for Christians or another rule as Christianity is Freedom!
1. Christians should be very careful when posting to social media not to use harsh language or foul language. It is really a disheartening thing for other Christians to see someone who they go to church with posting on their feeds with every other word being a curse word. This also goes for anyone who claims to be a Christian they are Christian. Some people will post Praise the Lord on Sunday, but then on Monday are cursing everything in their life.
There are a lot of people on social media that aren't Christians and when they see Christians cursing that's just one more reason for non-Christians to call the whole Christian community hypocrites.
REMEMBER: Colossians 3:8 "But, now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth."
2. Christians are often posting and liking pornographic material on their feeds. This is a another big don't for Christians. Whatever is liked on FB shows up in your news feed and often times will show up as that was liked by you. Again, this is seen by the world and is very off putting to see on Christians social media. On the other hand Christians shouldn't be posting off color pics of themselves on their social media sites. This doesn't really show your true heart as a Christian. Now, that doesn't mean that if you and your friends and family are the beach in bathing suits having a good time that you can't post pics of that.
3. Christians should also abstain from posting about drinking and partying. First of all, Christians shouldn't be doing that in the first place, but it most certainly should not be talked about on social media. Other Christians shouldn't see that on your feeds and when non-Christians see this they are not getting a clear picture of what Christ does for you in your life.
REMEMBER: Luke 21:34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly."
4. This a big one and has saved this one for the last of the Don'ts. Don't argue with non-Christians about your faith and especially to the point of being belligerent. I will have many people talk to me through social media about the Christian faith and have many times spoke their opinions about Christianity. It is very important that we don't lose our cool about this. We do feel strong about our faith, but if we feel this way we should want others to come to Christ as well. Often times, when we argue with people about our faith it drives people further away from ever becoming a Christian. It is perfectly fine to discuss your faith with others, but when you feel like the conversation will become heated just know that is when it's time to calmly say "it was nice talking to you about this and hope that we can discuss it further some other time."
REMEMBER: Ecclesiastes 6:3 "Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools."
Some Do's: There are some Do's for Christians that they should be doing.
1. Christians should be BOLD in the Lord and proclaim God's goodness, faithfulness, Love, etc. God has done so many good things for us that we should be proclaiming from the rooftops (or from our social media which will reach further than standing on the rooftop shouting.. LOL).
2. Christians should proclaim the truth on their social media. This could be about yourself, anyone else (unless it's a very personal matter: remember the world see's this), or issues that are going. People will respect your point of views as long as you respect theirs.
3. Be humble on your social media sites. Example: if your on Twitter don't be too prideful to talk to others or following them back. Being prideful will not get you far especially on twitter and on other social media sites. Besides, as Christians we want others to know the Greatness of God and social media is a great way of doing it.
4. Finally, just have fun. Social media is a great way to reach out to others and talk to others that are like minded.
This is a short list and could be a lot longer than this, but as long as I've been on social media these are some of the key areas. As Christians we aren't perfect, but we should conduct ourselves as a child of the Risen King!
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