You are on page 1of 7

Social Media and Me

Introduction:
Social networking sites are searched more now than pornography sites: http:// www.hufngtonpost.com/2008/09/17/study-social-networking-s_n_127122.html Facebook added over 200 million users in less than a year. Facebook Statistics: http://newsroom.fb.com/content/default.aspx?NewsAreaId=22 901 million monthly active users at the end of March 2012. Approximately 80% of our monthly active users are outside the U.S. and Canada. 526 million daily active users on average in March 2012. 488 million monthly active users who used Facebook mobile products in March 2012, and more than 500 million mobile monthly active users as of April 20, 2012. During March 2012, on average 398 million users were active with Facebook on at least six out of the last seven days. Apples App Store Downloads Top 25 Billion: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/ 2012/03/05Apples-App-Store-Downloads-Top-25-Billion.html CUPERTINO, CaliforniaMarch 5, 2012Apple today announced that more than 25 billion apps have been downloaded from its revolutionary App Store by the users of the more than 315 million iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices worldwide.

Twitter is an online social networking service and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, known as "tweets": http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter It was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July. The service rapidly gained worldwide popularity, with over 500 million active users as of 2012, generating over 340 million tweets daily and handling over 1.6 billion search queries per day.[5][7][8] Since its launch, the Twitter website has become one of the top 10 most visited on the Internet, and has been described as "the SMS of the Internet."


I. Biblical Principle(s)

Image Casting (idolatry) - Daniel 3:1 - 7, 12 - 13, 17, 4:24 - 25, 34, 37
He missed the purpose of life He fell into the pride of life Many do this because SELF is at the center of their life. See I John 2:15 - 17 Many do this because it is an opportunity to establish an image they wish they had. Psalm 139:14 (''fearfully"- to cause astonishment "wonderfully"-to distinguish or be distinct) He experienced the punishment. See Proverbs 16:18 This is the image that you set up. You will either project the image the Savior or you will project the image of self.


Inciting Conict in Communication (talebearing):
I Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." Communication proceeds from the heart. Out of the abundance of our heart, our mouth speaks. Ephesians 4:29 is clear when it comes to corrupt (rotten, putreed, poor quality, bad, worthless) communication coming out of our mouths. Please see Matthew 12:34 - 37,

Ephesians 5:4, Colossians 3:8. Please NOTE, wrong communication comes out because the heart is wrong. Social media allows us a new avenue through which to communicate. This communication must be holy. Here are ve types of communication the Word of God is specic about: 1. Corrupt Communication - rotten, putrid, poor quality, bad, worthless Application today: Learn to speak with good and clear quality. 2. Filthiness: obscene (lthy language), wanton, unseemly gestures and behavior. There is an emphasis on gestures with this word. 3. Foolish Talking: absurd, ridiculous; such vain discourse as betrays much folly and indiscretion and is far from edifying the hearers. This would clearly be inclusive of any type of communication that would lack moral discretion. 4. Jesting: coarse jesting; contextually speaking of obscene joke-telling. Joking with sexual innuendoes would be included in this category. The reason many do this without thought is because that is what has entered the heart. 5. Filthy Communication: obscene speech. Speech that is vulgar should be abstained from, and it is important that the heart be addressed. In other words, why does the individual speak the way he or she does. What good is the lthy communication? It is abundantly clear that Timothy was to be Christlike in word. A mans words will betray his heart; thus revealing the wickedness within that heart. This is reason enough to guard your heart against each of these areas. Guard your seeing and hearing from becoming desensitized to this kind of speech and jesting. Guard against these things in areas where you do have the control to guard yourself within. Social media offers an avenue whereby one may communicate in a non-accountable way. He or she may use this communication to destroy others with their words.


Ill Craving (Desires - Heart Inuence)
Social media is a form of communication that enters the eye. As a result of this, the mind and heart are impacted.

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 4:23 - "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Guard your heart by guarding the gates to the heart. Social media offers an opportunity to see things that are detrimental to the developing mind of a teenager. - Communication must be Savior sensitive - Communication must be of the right sort (heart) - Communication should be seasoned


ll. Brief Prospectus (Pro's)
Pros: Gospel propagation Family connection (church) - Networking Prayer connection Missionary connection


lll. Basic Practices
10 Ways to Responsibly Use Social Media

Honor and obey those in authority over you.


You may disagree with their decision, but you have a God-given responsibility to obey.

Consider your purpose (God's glory)


Effectively propel the cause of Christ Network with missionaries around the world Edify other believers Build unity among the peers of your local church

Consider your priorities


Do not waste away your time in social media and thus not allow time for what is most important.

If you are staying up late to engage in social media and this is the cause of your tired, heartless worship on Sunday, then you have robbed God of what is best. Be disciplined enough to do what is the most important at this stage in your life. This is not always what you feel like doing.

Consider what you project


Project the image of Christ. Edify brothers and sisters in your local church. Do not be a stumbling block to local believers and international believers (i.e. posting non-Christlike things). Don't use the unfortunate circumstances of others to gain attention for yourself. Avoid a sensual projection of self Some cannot help but always speak about human relationships. Speak about God's goodness.

Keep yourself accountable


Full access should be granted to those parental authority Don't block specic posts or pictures from your parents. This is a character issue. Remember, you reap what you sow. If there is something to hide, confess it to God and get rid of it (forsake it).

Refuse to engage in media wars


If a situation must be dealt with do NOT do it over social media. You cannot properly communicate sentiment via social media. The Matthew 18:17 pattern should be followed. Posts that disrespect authorities

Guard what is viewed


There are certain friends that post pictures of themselves that you should not have in your mind. There are certain friends that post updates that cause you to think of that which is impure.
5

Have a disconnect time


There should be certain times of the week where social media is turned off and removed out of your reach. An unhealthy addiction will be developed, and you will become a slave to the means. By God's grace, you must not become a slave to your media or means.

Have daily time commitments (Prov. 7)


The black and dark night of Proverbs seven is when most communication takes place that should not take place. There should be expectations set as far as when texting and social media should be shut off. Social media establishes connections that engage the emotions. There is a level of intimacy that is associated with the night time. Do not open up the door for wrong opportunity.

Refuse to engage in questionable texting or social media communication:


Workers to students Men to women Private messaging


Applications that may help:
Olive Tree Bible Reader Strong's Concordance App What's App Group Text Skype Kindle BLB Noteshelf Evernote
6

Outreach

You might also like