Thanking the Lord for Social Media (2019)
Teacher: Diana Harris
DEAF BAPTIST LADIES RETREAT
“THANKING THE LORD FOR SOCIAL MEDIA”
With the advancement of social media, today we have opportunities like never before. There are so many good things that can come from social media – and so many ways we can use our technology for God. But as with anything else in life, it can be used to deter us from God. Every day, the choices we make will decide if it is a blessing or a danger. It all depends on the choices we make…
1. We can keep in contact with friends and loved ones though miles apart
Proverbs 25:25
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Proverbs 27:17
The Blessing. – maintaining close relationships, sending words of encouragement and love to those who need it.
The Dangers:
1) Fostering unhealthy relationships
Proverbs 13:20
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Proverbs22:3
2) Comparisons / envy
2 Corinthians 10:12
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
3) Drama / gossip
1 Timothy 5:13
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not
Safeguards:
1) Be accountable!! Have someone that you answer to that can keep you accountable. Give your husband, perhaps a parent, or someone trustworthy complete access to your account to keep you accountable.
2) Be very careful about friending members of the opposite sex – especially if you used to date. My husband and I made a decision that we would “friend” people who are mutual friends.
3) Realize that others are putting their best up for the world to see. Don’t become envious because it seems someone else has the perfect life.
4) Do not feel pressured to change what you believe is right based on what you see others doing online.
2. Receive and share the Gospel with ease.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus said:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The Blessing: Now there are countless ways we can “hear” the gospel. We are also able to easily share the gospel to people here and around the world.
The dangers:
1) False teachers that cause confusion – Just because someone uses the Bible, that does not always mean that they speaking “biblical truth.”
2 Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2) Allowing your church to be “online” instead of “in church”
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Safeguards:
1) Study the Word of God for yourself. Don’t depend only on others to know the Bible for you, but know it for yourself. When you hear something preached, study it out to make sure it is truth.
Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
2 Timothy 2:15
2). When you are unsure whether or not something is biblical, ask your Pastor or anther spiritually mature Christian to show you the truth from the Word of God
Provebs 11:14
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
3). Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the truth.
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
4) Keep yourself in God’s house with God’s people.
3. Now we can receive information at the click of a mouse.
a) The Blessings – we can get immediate information about almost anything at any times.
b) The Dangers –
1) internet addictions – many today are becoming addicted to social media. It has replaced their families, their other interests, and most importantly, it has replaced God in their lives. We live like no longer have to rely on God. We have slowly replaced God without even realizing it. Do we really need to rely on Him??
THE WORLD SAYS:
– if you’re needing encouragement – read facebook or twitter
– if you’re lonely, go to a chat room
– if you have a need, start a “go fund me” page
– if you are searching for a mate, go to a dating sight
– if you don’t feel like church, watch a vlog
– if you need wisdom, you don’t need a Bible, you can google it.
BUT GOD SAYS:
– if you need encouragement – I Sam 30:6 David encouraged himself in the LORD his God
– If you’re lonely. – Heb 13:5. – I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
– If you have a need – Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need
– If you are searching for a mate – Ps 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
– If you don’t feel like church. – Ps 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
– if you need wisdom. – Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
Exodus 20:3
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2) Loss of our ability to socialize and communicate with those that are around us – especially with our spouses and children.
3) Dangerous information / people
* such as pornography
Psalm 101:3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Proverbs 23:7 a. Mt 5:28
* online predators
* hook-up sites
* scams
Safeguards:
1) Again, be accountable. To your husband. To your children. To God
2) Identify temptation immediately and ask God for help,
James 4:7
3) If you are struggling, ask for help.
4) Be extra careful when meeting any person who you met online for any reason.. take a trusted friend with you. Meet in a safe place. Don’t be too quick or too desperate to trust. Be sure that someone knows where you are, who you are meeting, and what time you should be done.
5) Realize that – no matter how long you’ve “known” someone online – it does not necessarily mean you truly know them at all.
6) If something or someone seems to good to be true, it probably is.
7) Just because it says it something on the internet does not mean it’s true.
As we have seen, there are many wonderful ways that we can use social media today to enrich our lives, but there are also may dangers we need to avoid.
In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we are told “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.“
If we are willing to truly use the technology that God has given us for His glory, then we can indeed be thankful for social media.
