Danger of Social Networks: Improper Encouragement of Relationships

Social networks may result in improper encouragement of relationships. According to researchers, Facebook, which connects old friends, and allows users to make new ones, is being blamed for an increasing number of broken marriages. Online flirtation tempts people to cheat on their partners. Additionally, other problems may arise, such as having “friends” who have been disfellowshipped, or are otherwise out of duty. Affairs may occur when one goes too near the door of another person with whom they have no rights of intimacy. “Therefore hear me now, my children, And do not depart from the words of my mouth. Remove your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her house, Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one; Lest aliens be filled with your wealth, And your labors go to the house of a foreigner; And you mourn at last, When your flesh and your body are consumed, And say: "How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction! I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me! I was on the verge of total ruin, In the midst of the assembly and congregation” (Proverbs 5:7-14).  One can be captivated by another in a variety of ways. “To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress. Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids. For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?  Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent” (Proverbs 6:24-29). We must also recognize the dangers of sinful entanglements. “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). Evil companions inevitably corrupt good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).


Conclusion:
Communication technologies enrich our lives in many ways, making the world smaller, providing opportunities for teaching, keeping us in touch with those whom we love, etc. However, these tools can also become a stumbling-block, involving slothfulness and sinful speech, immodesty and immorality, improper associations and evil entanglements. Regardless of your age, gender, or position in life, be an example. “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things--that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you” (Titus 2:1-8). Let your light shine! “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).

Dangers of Social Networks: Improper Exhibition of the Body

Social networks may result in the improper exhibition of the body. Modest and proper decorum are lost virtues in today’s decadent society. Christians sometimes exercise poor judgment in the pictures they post to their websites, Facebook pages, photo-galleries, etc. Immodesty is part of a broader problem of sexual immorality, reflecting either naivete or knowing rebellion. “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:11-14). The deeds of the flesh include sexual immorality [sinful actions], impurity [sinful thoughts], sensuality [sinful indulgence in things that produce lusts]. “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). Let us resolve to not put stumbling-blocks before one another, especially in this area (Revelation 2:14). Let us recognize the Biblical prohibition against all forms of nakedness, i.e., the improper public exposure of the thighs, buttocks, midriff, and chest/breasts. “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”


Part 5: "Improper Encouragement of Relationships" (Next Posting)

Dangers of Social Networks: Improper Expressions of Speech

Social networks may result in improper expressions of speech. Online communication is often crude and vulgar, harmful and hurtful. The impersonal nature of the medium removes inhibitions that would otherwise restrain uncivil speech. We must not take God’s name in vain, either directly or through the use of acronyms, such as “OMG!” Exodus 20:7 says, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”  Sinful men engage in sinful speech. “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness" (Romans 3:13-14). All forms of corrupt communication must be put aside. “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Colossians 3:8-10). Christian speech must be gracious and appropriate to the needs of the hearers; “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).


Part 4: "Improper Exhibition of the Body" (Next Posting)

Dangers of Social Networks: Improper Expenditure of Time

Social networks may result in an improper expenditure of time. Surfing the internet in general, and the use of social networks in particular, can become addictive. Avoiding sloth and slumber, we should consider the ant as an example of industrious and timely activity. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep--So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:6-11). Solomon exhorts, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). Accordingly, let us redeem the time, making the most of opportunities, recognizing that the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-17).


Part 3: "Improper Expression of Speech" (Next Posting)

Dangers of Social Networks: Introduction

Recently, Mark Mayberry, a gospel preacher in Alvin, Texas wrote a sermon entitled “Dangers of Social Networks.” As a Christian and fellow preacher, I am very pleased with what he wrote concerning the various aspects of the social networks. Many of the things that he addresses, I too have written articles and preached on within the past year. I am going to use his material, word for word, along with the corresponding Bible passages in a series of posts beginning with this one. There will be a total of 5 postings to include today’s introduction. The next four posts will deal with improper expenditure of time, improper expression of speech, improper exhibition of the body, and improper encouragement of relationships.

Dangers of Social Networks: Introduction

            Through the widespread use of computers and smart-phones, we are able to communicate more easily today than ever before. Many Christians keep in touch with friends and family using Pleonast or Facebook. Others correspond via email, Twitter, IM (instant messaging) or SMS (text messaging). Some prefer to pick up the phone. A few of us still value face-to-face conversations.

            In recent years, social networks have exploded in popularity. With more than 500 million active users, Facebook is the most popular social networking site in the world. 50% of active users log on to Facebook in any given day. The average user has 130 friends. Collectively, people spend over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook.

            Social networks have obvious benefits, keeping us in touch with friends, family, and fellow Christians. Technology can diminish the distance that sometimes separates us. However, we should also be mindful of certain dangers that come from the use of modern social networks.

Part 2: “Improper Expenditure of Time” (Next Posting)