Keeping Our Hearts in Check: Navigating Social Media as Christians

A Heart Check for Christians on Social Media

Do you remember what life was like before social media? It was simpler, less cluttered. We knew what we alone were having for dinner, without getting updates on twenty other people's meals. We were more productive with our time, without the endless scroll-and-click distractions. We focused on our work, played with our kids, or read a good book without constantly worrying about what we might be missing.

However, social media has become an integral part of our lives. We benefit from the connection, information, and inspiration that it provides. But as Christians, we need to be aware of the potential pitfalls that come with social media. We need to check our hearts regularly and ask ourselves some important questions to ensure that we are honoring God and representing Him well.

Walking by the Spirit

One of the questions we need to ask ourselves is whether we are walking by the Spirit. In Galatians 5:16-17, Paul writes, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

When we walk by the Spirit, we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, and actions. We seek to honor God in everything we do, including our social media use. We post things that are uplifting, encouraging, and edifying to others. We avoid using social media to gratify our fleshly desires, such as seeking attention or validation from others, or engaging in pointless arguments and debates.

Guarding Our Hearts and Minds

Another question we need to ask ourselves is whether we are guarding our hearts and minds. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

Our hearts and minds are the wellsprings of our lives. What we allow into them will inevitably affect our thoughts, words, and actions. Therefore, we need to be careful about what we expose ourselves to on social media. We need to guard our hearts against envy, jealousy, and discontentment that can arise from comparing ourselves to others' highlight reels. We need to guard our minds against the negative and toxic content that can be found on social media, such as gossip, slander, and hate speech.

Loving Our Neighbors

One of the greatest commandments that Jesus gave us is to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). That includes our social media neighbors. We need to ask ourselves whether we are loving our neighbors on social media.

What does it mean to love our neighbors on social media? It means treating them with kindness, respect, and compassion. It means listening to their perspectives and opinions, even if we disagree with them. It means avoiding hurtful and divisive language that can tear people down instead of building them up. It means using our social media platforms to encourage and support others, to promote justice and righteousness, and to share the love of Christ.

Being Salt and Light

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He says, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world, including on social media. We need to ask ourselves whether we are being salt and light on social media. Are we preserving and flavoring the world with the gospel of Christ? Are we shining the light of truth and righteousness in a dark and confused world?

Conclusion

Social media can be a powerful tool for good, but it can also be a source of temptation and distraction for Christians. We need to check our hearts regularly and make sure that we are walking by the Spirit, guarding our hearts and minds, loving our neighbors, and being salt and light in the world.

Let us use social media as an opportunity to share the love of Christ, to encourage and support others, and to promote justice and righteousness in the world. Let us glorify God with our social media use, and let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven.