“14. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16. Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”
What are people seeing on your social media posts? When I was younger, I established a desire to know more about archery. As I learned different things from different shooters, I would always gravitate towards those who were open to share their knowledge with others about the skills they have mastered. Even today, I still like to listen and learn from shooters that are more experienced than me.
If you spend much time on social media, you will quickly identify with people who don’t care about anyone but themselves. Whether knowledgeable or not, I’ve never had much interest in learning from arrogant self-centered archers. They just love to hear themselves talk about their knowledge and even shoots they may have won over the years. They are quick to degrade others at how they shoot rather than encourage them. With the uprise of social media over the past 10 years it doesn’t take long to find these bread winners posting about something negative toward other archers. Anymore, hunting groups on social media bash people more than help them. You can’t find a post without someone trying to say mean hurtful statements toward a simple question from a beginner. It seems like the nature of hunters today says, “If you don’t do everything like I do, you’re a loser.” Who likes this type of language? Who likes this type of treatment? No one likes to be degraded or cut down, but yet that’s all they do to others. I’m drawn more to those who have a willingness to help others. I am more prone to listen and observe how they have become successful whether in the field or on the range!
Do you realize this is the same behavior we are seeing among born again believers? What are you posting on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media outlets? Whether it’s a closed group, a friend, or even a friend you don’t know, there is always a post of something negative. That is not how God wants us to use social media. So, a church you went to did something you didn’t like or didn’t treat you the way you thought they should. Boo Hoo! Social media is not the place to complain! “Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” (Philippians 2:14) Why would anyone want to be an independent fundamental Baptist when all they see is negative posts towards a church, pastor, evangelist, or leader within a church. “I EXHORT therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” (I Timothy 2:1) Stop blasting other Christians for what they do differently than you! Maybe they are wrong! Now pat yourself on the back and tell yourself how great you are for finding their problems. You might need to consider scrolling through some of your old posts and see if there is anything negative about it. Either erase it or fix it! It’s surely not going to help anyone get to Jesus Christ and it surely won’t give struggling believers a desire for the local New Testament Church. “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” (Ephesians 5:1-2) We still need to follow II Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Preaching the Word is not disputing and complaining on your social media posts about all the things a church is doing wrong. We need revival! Many of us need to repent for not having a life like Jesus Christ! We are seeing this great falling away because Christians want to rule with an iron fist rather than live the life of Jesus Christ. When Christ was hanging on the cross, He did not degrade those who had hung Him there. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…” (Luke 23:24) How is your social media page? Are you magnifying the name of Jesus Christ? Could it be you need to shut off social media for a while? Maybe there are some posts that you need to correct or erase? You may even need to apologize to someone you don’t even know because you have had such a nasty spirit in the things you have commented on? Most believers would rather “regard iniquity in their heart” than repent and make things right. What is your story? What will your lost friends see you post about today or what will they read concerning your post yesterday? “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” (Philippians 2:16)
Memory Verse
Philippians 2:14-16
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”
