As we continue on the subject of social media use, this week we will talk about some of the negatives, and next Tuesday we will examine better aspects of the medium. Our last segment on the subject will look at how social media can be used for the glory of God and the betterment of our lives and the lives of others.
On the negative side, because of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., the line is blurring between our true everyday lives and what might be called our “virtual” lives. On the internet, we interact not just with other people but, in a larger sense, with our fallen culture. That, in and of itself, can lead to spiritual bondage if we are not careful.
Then there is the “time factor.” For many of us, non-work time which could be spent seeking God or visiting (or even just calling) nearby friends is sucked up by our weekly hours spent online. Not all those hours are spent on social media, but a great deal of them likely are, if you believe the statistics. For too many of us, this was time once used to pray or be with friends and family rather than absorbed by social media’s “one-step removed” relationships.
Many people once knew better the kinds of activities that really count; time spent with God, having a face-to-face conversation with a friend, enjoying an outing on a glorious autumn day, maybe learning a new skill that involved something more involving than punching keys on a keyboard.
Such are some of the negative aspects of the overuse of both social media and the Internet in general. As servants of God, we must be aware of them and act to restore some balance in our lives with His help.
“Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:16 ESV
This thought was written by Shea Oakley. Shea is Principal Contributor for FCAP Social Media and also serves on our Advisory Board.
