How to Be “In” the Social Media World But Not “Of” the Social Media World

It’s always been difficult for Christ followers to live “in the world” while simultaneously resisting the temptations “of the world.” The New Testament authors acknowledged the challenge. The apostle John, for example, encouraged his readers to resist their cravings for physical pleasure, the worldly things they saw, and the pride they took in their achievements and possessions. John described these desires and inclinations as the distractions of a “fading world” (1 John 2:15-17). Peter similarly encouraged early Christians to live as “temporary residents and foreigners,” calling them to provide an honorable example for unbelieving neighbors by avoiding worldly desires (1 Peter 2:11-12).

As difficult as it must have been for 1st Century Christians to guard their eyes and hearts, navigate the world around them, and interact with non-believers, the challenge for 21st Century Christians is even greater.
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As difficult as it must have been for 1st Century Christians to guard their eyes and hearts, navigate the world around them, and interact with non-believers, the challenge for 21st Century Christians is even greater. Our “unbelieving neighbors” aren’t simply the people living next door or down the street, they’re the global citizens sharing our social media platforms and interacting with us – often anonymously and without invitation. To make matters worse, social media algorithms attempt to anticipate and shape our interests, introducing us to content, ideas, and temptations unavailable to prior generations. These platforms are often profane, provocative, and punitive. Is there a way for faithful Christians to provide an honorable example without being corrupted by social media? Can we live “in” but not “of” the social media world? The scriptures provide a pathway:

Maintain Moderation
There’s a correlation between our knowledge of world events and our degree of well-being. It’s not a coincidence that younger generations (as social media “natives”)  experience more depression and anxiety and are more likely to compare themselves with others in an unfavorable way. The more you know about the trouble in the world, the more you will be troubled by it, and the more you compare yourself with others, the more likely you are to suffer by comparison. That’s why moderation is key. Set time parameters for your social media use, resist the algorithm’s effort to lure you with additional content, and stop comparing your life to the fictional lives others create for themselves online. Remember Paul’s admonition to Timothy:

For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1 Timothy 6:7-8)

Circumvent Celebrity
Mainstream media outlets (now sometimes referred to as the “Legacy Media”) used to decide who was a celebrity and who was not. That all changed with the invention of social media. You don’t have to be a movie star or politician to gain the attention of the culture anymore. Many of us now have large social media platforms that rival the notoriety of celebrities in the past. This is reflected in the rise of social media influencers. The lure of popularity tempts all of us; few people wish they had fewer followers. But the next time you find yourself tempted by celebrity, remember the words of Jesus. If we are truly following Him and speaking His words into the world around us, we shouldn’t expect to be popular:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” (John 15:18-21) 

Target Truth
That’s why it’s important for us to focus on truth, rather than clicks, likes, and shares. One study revealed that 68% of us post to create and maintain our online identity, and 81% of us like how it feels when people comment and engage. As a result, we sometimes craft our posts for engagement, rather than truth. Perhaps that’s why so much social media is focused on what’s popular and salacious, rather than what’s transcendent and true. Next time you’re tempted to retweet or share the latest meme or sensational claim, take the time to make sure it reflects the true heart of God rather than the popular beliefs of the world: 

They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. (1 John 4:5) 

Discern Deception
It’s been said “a lie travels around the world before the truth can get its boots on.” This is even truer in the information age. A recent study revealed “falsehood diffused significantly farther, faster, deeper, and more broadly than the truth in all categories of information…” If you’re going to engage the world through social media, you’ll need to become a good investigator and a cautious poster. As Christians, we must know the Biblical truth well enough to spot the worldly lie. Test every political, cultural, or theological claim, let no one deceive you, and do your best to guard others from deception:

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

Dodge the Detestable
Few social media platforms diligently monitor profane or pornographic users. It’s been years, for example, since Twitter blocked 10 million accounts for posting explicit adult content. When internet companies fail to protect us from the worst the world has to offer, we must do it for ourselves. When was the last time you checked your follower list to make sure it wasn’t populated with bots, pornographic, or objectionable profiles? You might be surprised to find many of your online connections aren’t even real people. Don’t be afraid to block, silence, hide, or mute questionable profiles or comments. Do what it takes to co-exist in the social media world even though it may be filled with objectionable people:

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. (1 Corinthians 5:9-10)

Stay Salty
Surveys show that most of us (68%) follow people on social media for relational reasons. We want to stay in touch and form a social connection. In essence, we want to be friends. But friendships often corrupt our character. As Paul wrote, “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). If we’re going to be active on social media, we must make sure we surround ourselves with people who help us be “salt” and “light.” Don’t allow the potential for popularity to overpower the importance of perseverance. Given the choice, it’s always better to be faithful than fashionable. Surround yourself with people online who will help you remember your priorities:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Give Them the Gospel
Be honest. Think about your last 100 posts on social media. How many had anything to do with God? Of those, how many were a simple, clear, proclamation of the Gospel? As I survey the posts I’ve seen over the past three years (including the posts related to the pandemic), many of them are about the potential remedy for COVID-19. In fact, nearly half of all Americans say they get their news about COVID-19 vaccines on social media. People are interested in posts that describe a cure. That’s why we need to make sure we share the Gospel on social media. It’s the cure for what’s killing us spiritually. If we can help people understand this simple truth, they may be willing to hear the Gospel anew and share it with their friends. Of all the things we could post online, the Gospel is the one post authorized by Jesus:

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)

We’ve been called to live “in the world,” but not “of the world.” When we do this as Christ followers, we are simply following the example of our Master. As God incarnate, Jesus came to live among us, even though we were “of this world” and He was not (John 8:23-24). If we are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we must engage the world through social media as children of the King; sheep amid wolves, wise as serpents, and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). Let’s moderate our social media use, resist the temptation of celebrity, focus on what’s true and avoid what’s detestable as we represent God and share the Gospel.

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