October 10, 2011 with 14 Comments

451.

Social Media Holiness

For those of you expecting an amazing and hair raising post today – relax.

Just because I took the weekend off hasn’t turned me into some blog genius.

I had an interesting weekend though. It started out by my catching up on some of the Christian blogosphere action. It turns out that the fastest way to grow a blog following is by criticizing a pastor.

I’m not into that.

Neither was the apostle Paul. In Romans 16:17 he says: “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”

It seems like when it comes to Biblical Christian behavior, social media gets a hall pass on holiness.

Have you noticed that?

It can be a grad student at your local Christian college or a pastor of a small local church, but put him (or her) behind an anonymous screen and a keyboard, and you’ve turned him into a criticizing, back stabbing, name calling, “christian” blogger.

All in the name of truth of course.

One particular blogger makes it a habit of visiting my church as a means of accumulating data for her next blog. I’d find her and ask her kindly to leave, but she prefers to remain anonymous. Shame on her.

What’s more shameful is the fact that others are listening.

I know what you’re thinking. I’m doing the same thing here.

Maybe. But I’m not using any names. And God help me but I’m not anonymous.

I’m just making some observations – that when it comes to social media, most christians have set for themselves a second standard for holiness: Out with love and in with judgment. Out with kindness and in with back stabbing. Out with unity and in with divisions.

I think you get the point, and it’s wrong.

You can justify it and call it fighting for the truth. I’d suggest you spend your energies telling the lost about Christ instead. You can excuse it by claiming you’re purifying the church. That’s the job of the Holy Spirit last I checked. You can laugh and snicker and ask me to stick to my day job. Stick and stones may break my bones…..

If you’re on the social media bandwagon, here’s some advice for you:

1. Remember that even though others may not know exactly who you are, God always does.

2. Remember that it’s a lot easier to be controversial than instructive.

3. Remember what happened to Miriam and Aaron when they attacked Moses (Numbers 12). I wouldn’t mess with that if I were you.

4. Remember the two most important commandments: Love God and Love Others.

In James 2:13 God makes an amazing statement:

Mercy Triumphs over judgment.

When it comes to social media and personal holiness, that’s a pretty good standard to live by.

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  • Milo

    it is and as you said we need to beware of judgement. It is with the judgement we judge that we are judged. may we grow in mercy and grace daily in serving Him, forgetting about others. vengeance is mine sayeth The Lord.

  • Tina

    right on, Lina.

  • Gina

    Nicely said.I only read 1 blog this 1.you have a long line of us at Harvest that support you.

    • Amber

      AMEN!

  • http://revelation22-20.blogspot.com/ jacob192

    Well said –

    For true followers of Christ, It is important to realize where the battle and not tear out the body. So for the visitor of my church that is spreading unfounded truth I say: Go and exercise the great commission and practice the knowledge you have been gaining from Master’s College.

    Harvest is one of handful churches that proclaim the gospel and truth, thanks to a strong leadership and a senior pastor that seeks the Lord and yields to the spirit.

  • Vicki Etters

    Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:8-10 ESV)

  • Ruth

    Amen!

  • Gina

    Thank-you: Lina,John Parker,Bonnie! They found my (NIV) that john gave me almost a year ago
    Happy I put my #in it.if found please return :)

  • ramzi

    Would be interested to see link to the blog. to spice things up…

  • ramzi

    only matter of time, before gay at harvest (in my view!)

    http://www.onewheaton.com/

  • Leah

    It is so interesting that you posted this because last night I went on google to see if there were any cool articles about HBC from the community’s perspective that I could read/share of FB–after all, God has done AMAZING things in the life of my husband and I since we joined HBC, so I figured there would be plenty of good things to read. After all the HBC plant websites (amazing!), the first website I found was, I believe, the very same blogger that you are referring to. It saddens me that she is spending her time sneaking into Harvest events for the sole purpose of finding juicy writing material. Thank you for your post since her blog troubled me so. After I read her scathing blog, I prayed that God would give me wisdom and discernment in terms of my feelings about it, and your blog here was a quick answer to my prayer. Praise God–He is so good!

    • Amber

      Its so cool when God answers are prayers right way :-)

  • Amber

    Very good! I think even if other’s can see what you are doing or saying it should Glorify God and the Church. God always knows what you are doing.

  • DanG

    Good word, Lina. Until His return — come quickly, Lord — Jesus is building His church (Matthew 16:18). Every follower of Jesus should be invested in and spending themselves on what He is doing. We should be building the church, not sowing seeds of discord. God hates that (Proverbs 6:16-19).