“Mujinga!” and “Get with the times!” These are just a few comments that you may see people make in response to various post on social media. It is crazy how many mean things people can say on social media. What is amusing is that if you meet those people in public, they would never say mean things to the faces of those they torment online. However, whenever they are veiled behind their phone or keyboard, they can say crazy things. How are you doing online? How are your comments, posts, Instagram pics, and tweets? Would others say that you’re a godly person based upon your online behaviour?
Jesus is Lord of our lives, meaning that if you are born again, he is in charge of your life (Romans 10:9-10, Philippians 2:8-10). To show that he’s Lord, be obedient to him in whatever you do online. Also, whenever Christ became Lord of your life, you received his Spirit (Romans 8:9), and with that privilege, it means that you represent him (2 Corinthians 5:20). As a representative of Christ, we are to reflect His glory in all that we do so that he might be glorified (Isaiah 60:1-3, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 10:31). So if Jesus is Lord of your life and you’re to reflect his glory in all that you do then how you comment, post, share pictures, and tweet online is a representation of him. Would others say that they see Christ’s glory reflected in how you’re portrayed online? Would they say that you’re godly based upon your online behaviour?
To give Christ glory in your life, implement some of these biblical guidelines for godly online behaviour.
1. Don’t Have Angry Speech in Social Posts- James 1:19-20, Ephesians 4:29
As you interact online let James 1:19-20 be your mantra be quick to get the whole story, slow to post or tweet, and slow to online rage. Uncontrolled anger leads to uncontrolled posts and tweets. A godly person will learn to control their emotion of anger and not be unwise with what they post but encouraging.
2. Focus On and Follow What is Pure- Philippians 4:8
Whenever you’re online, don’t follow someone who will lead you to lust, get angry, feel jealous, or make you dwell on something that is not God honouring.
3. Pure Post Support Evangelism- 1 Peter 2:11-12
In this passage of scripture, Peter tells Christians living in a hostile environment to have honourable conduct. Social media is a hostile world where opinions and anger freely fly. Instead of joining in with that, let your online behaviour have honourable conduct. It will help people see Christ in you, which will support your evangelism.
4. Be Careful of What You Like & Retweet- Romans 14:22, 1 Corinthians 6:12
Don’t let what you approve of become sin for you. You may like or retweet something online, but it may not be beneficial to your witness or testimony. Someone looks up to you and what you approve of may not cause you to stumble in your walk with Christ, but it very well may cause someone else to. Before you like something, consider the impact that it might have beyond your personal opinion.
5. Give God Glory Online- 1 Corinthians 10:31
We’re to give God glory in everything that we do, and that includes social media. Ask yourself before you like, posts, retweet, or comment if it will glorify God. This question will help you maintain godliness online.
6. Don’t Be Sexually Immoral with Social Media- Ephesians 5:3, Matthew 5:27-30
Don’t be a “thirst trapper” online and don’t get sucked into looking at “thirst traps.” Lust is something we’re to take very seriously because it destroys your relationship with Christ. Leading someone to lust with your posts also hinders not only your relationship with Christ but potentially someone else’s.
7. Show Charm Not Beauty- Proverbs 31:30
This verse is geared towards women, but it can apply to guys too. Watch what you post online because you want to be known for charm and not for beauty. Charm is a wonderful thing to be known for as opposed to your body. If you’re putting your body on display, then you’re not gaining as much respect as you could if you displayed your charm. You may think that you look cute in a picture and you post it with the purest of intentions, but consider if that picture will benefit your witness for Christ or not.
8. Don’t Envy Others- Psalm 139:14, Proverbs 14:30
Envying others for what they’re doing, what they’re wearing, or for what they have online is not showing gratitude. It is communicating to God that he has made you trash and that he has made mistakes with your life. Be careful what you dwell on and be careful with what you look at because it can cause you to sin with envy.
9. Manage Your Time Wisely- Colossians 4:5-6
Use your time on social media and your posts on social media to share the gospel. Don’t waste time looking at worthless things all of the time. Don’t post silly things repeatedly, but posts things that will help people see the glory of Christ.
10. Be Humble- Proverbs 27:2
Don’t brag about how amazing your life is, what stuff you have, or what blessings you have all of the time. Nobody likes someone who does the proverbial “God is good” post while wearing expensive clothes and eating a 1500/- meal at a nice restaurant. Posting the bragging “God is good” post is not giving God glory, but it is based in pride.
Conclusion
Consider your behaviour online, and with all that you do give Christ glory. Make it evident to those who follow you that Christ is glorious and worth following through your online behaviour.
