What Should Christians Keep in Mind
When Using Facebook?
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."
Psalm 19:12-4
One of the greatest dangers of social media, and the internet in general; is that there is little to no accountability. Man is a sinner by nature, and it is the fear of consequences that keep many from acting upon their sinful nature. Not necessarily the fear of God's judgment, but of consequences in general. The fear of being judged by others, the fear of being punished by the law. God throughout scripture discusses how men who do not fear judgment, will feel comfort to sin freely. It is in part, what is explained when discussing someone being given over to a reprobate mind, in Romans chapter 1; and how that frees them to indulge in their sinful desires. This is also a major theme in the book of Ecclesiastes, as Solomon considers life without God.
"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."
Ecclesiastes 8:11
As dangerous as it is for there to be no fear of social or legal consequences for our actions, it is a lack of fear of God, that is truly dangerous. A lack of fear of social consequences, will allow someone to behave rudely. A lack of fear of legal consequences, will allow someone to behave criminally. A lack of fear of God however, will allow someone to behave evilly. The problem with the internet, and social media, is that you have uninhibited access to so many evil things. Things that in normal society, you would never look on, or participate in. Things it would normally be difficult to hide, however in the day we live, it usually takes just a few clicks. Because social accountability is limited, or removed altogether; there are a few things we should do. One of the more practical things you can do, is to restore as much of that social accountability as possible. This involves not hiding your social media accounts, or your phone from your spouse, and not hiding your browser history.
"For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
Ecclesiastes 12:13
The other, and most important, thing for one to do; is to restore their fear of God. We need to instill in our hearts, the absolute truth, that we cannot hide anything from God. You may be free of social, and criminal judgment, if you're careful enough, and use the right vpn; but you cannot hide anything from God. God knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts; and He sees everything we do. You may not see His judgment immediately, God is longsuffering beyond measure. However God will not allow sin to go unpunished forever. As His child, He will give you a space of repentance, but "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Hebrews 12:6. So next time temptation whispers "No one will ever know" or "What will it hurt?", remember there is a God in Heaven who knows. A God who in holiness, cannot ignore sin, who is hurt by our sin against Him.