Social Networking Sites are to our generation (Millennials) what roller-skate diners were to our grandparents' (Veterans) generation. It's THE way we chill. If young adults earned a nickel for every minute spent hacking away on Twitter, Facebook, blogs and so forth then we'd all give Oprah a run for her money.
To me, maintaining a personal page on a networking site is a harmless pastime. Being "plugged in" has many practical benefits. Not only is it a way to connect with friends, family, classmates and even job recruiters, but it actually encourages information literacy.
But, how harmful can one's web presence be to one's spiritual life? Can Web 2.0 cause spiritual delinquency?
The debate boils down to whether a person's Facebook, Twitter and other sites reflect a consistent, Christian lifestyle. Being saved doesn't start and end with attending church services, pumping the latest Kirk Franklin album, or going on exciting youth mission trips.
Instead, we best demonstrate that we're Jesus followers through mundane, day-to-day actions-including where we linger and what we do while online. The other day I read a quote by St. Francis of Assisi that says, "It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching."
Here are a few red flags that you might need an online social networking makeover:
1. You have no qualms posting vulgar content on your own or your friends' sites.
Off-color ramblings, jokes, comments and so forth damage your credibility. Watch what you say-ALWAYS! Your speech-even typed or texted-should reflect a clean heart. After all, the Big Guy himself, Jesus, said that "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." (Matt 12: 33-34)
2. Your friends feel comfortable posting provocative comments, pictures or videos on your site.
Conversely, your folks ought to know that there's a difference about you. Okay…so someone may have slipped up and posted something inappropriate once. A one-time occurrence won't reflect poorly on you, perhaps. It'll point to the commenter.
What about repeat occurrences, though? Are your sites "comment free-for-alls" or the Wild, Wild West? Or do your friends know that you have standards, particularly when it comes to language and sin tolerance? Now, I'm not advocating being a steam-roller; you don't want to drain the "social" out of "social networking sites." Still, it's wisest to set clear limits.
3. You have more than one account-more than likely one for your church friends or family and another for everybody else.
If this is you, then you're living a double life. I've been there so I know how difficult it is to undo dual identities. If you're living two lives, then you're just living too hard. Remember, the Word tells us that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:8). You can correct this without Jesus' help. Pray for His cleansing power, confess your wrongdoings, get some pals to help you stay accountable and rectify your online social networking mistakes. Also, make sure that you don't beat yourself up (Satan wants this) but that you keep trooping and improving.
4. You are a spiritual snob who rejects friend requests from non-believers.
Is this you? Then chances are that you could stand to adjust your judgmental attitude and legalism. God doesn't love us because of how much scriptural truths we recite or adorn ourselves with but because He is Truth. (John 14:6) He doesn't choose us because of who we choose to associate with. He chose us before we even had associates…before we were even born! (Jeremiah 1:5)
Don't be like the Pharisees of Jesus' day, who spoke (certainly not through Facebook or Twitter!) just to show off their religiosity. Favoritism is also something that the Word says we should avoid (James 2:1-13). If we're shunning others, then how will we ever be used to share the love of Christ?
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