Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
In the words of What a Friend We Have in Jesus, we find, “In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.” The word solace in simplest definition form is a “comfort.” Many are taking comfort in the opinions of others on social media. Too many take what they are convicted about through the Holy Spirit and the preaching of the word and bring it horizontally, instead of vertically. They run to people on social media and pour out their heart instead of taking it to Jesus and getting the real comfort!
I was on Facebook recently and came across a post from a young person. We have rules in our Christian School against Social Media because of the dangers it offers, but also because of the platform it gives to an immature youth. This young man had left our Christian School and was severely backslidden. He poured out his heart on Facebook. He took all of the conviction he had from the preaching and used the termite-ridden Facebook pulpit to defend his backsliding and feel better about himself. He said things like, “Even though I miss the church services occasionally, I still love God.” He used Romans to justify cursing, lusting, and outright sinning because “We are all sinners.” He said he needs to stop being judged.
The post on social media was heartbreaking to me. Here was a young man, convicted of his sin – cut to the heart! Here was a sinner realizing his need to get back to God! Here was a terrible mess. People began “reacting” to the post, telling him how inspirational it was. A man who left our church to chase after new doctrine and heresy shared his enthusiasm with the post. The unsaved and backsliders alike flocked to the pews of this petty pulpiteer to shout “amen” and lift up their voice in condemning preaching . I stayed silent on the post as I prefer in-person communication. I met with him after a church service and shared with him Proverbs 28:13 – He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. He did not get the same reaction from me as his other audience did. I urged him to get right with the Lord and get the guilt and shame gone for real. I fear these false friends may have gotten to him. I shared with him Proverbs 29:1 – He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. I prayed with him.
This article is simply to explain the other dangers of Social Media. It has all of the elements needed for false assurance and church-like qualities. There’s a place to preach your message. There’s a place to get a response. Let’s get our young people back to the altar again.
Eric Zukowski | YP
Scranton Revival Baptist Church | Scranton, PA
http://www.scrantonrevivalbaptist.org