Over the past few weeks, I have read more and more Christian friends’ posts which say they are leaving social media – especially Twitter and Facebook. Many were moving to Parler or to other platforms which were promoting a free speech or a non-censored speech format. But as many of you know, Parler was nuked this past week by other Big Tech. No doubt we live in troubled times and social media on many fronts has not helped. Yet, Christian friend, I would like to both ask you please not to leave and convince you today to not leave social media. Let me explain why. (My personal story is at the end.)
Why Are Christians Exiting Social Media
Christians are leaving social media for primarily five reasons. To be honest, these are five good reasons and may make you say, “No wonder!” or “I agree with them!” or “Amen!” I want to be honest; these are compelling reasons to leave social media. However, I believe the reasons to stay are greater!
The first and greatest reason starts with the corporations themselves.
Specifically, Facebook and Twitter corporately have produced an environment of anger and distrust toward themselves. The censoring of conservative people, free speech in general, and blatant liberal bias have pulled back the curtain on Big Tech. Many argue that these companies are owned, managed, and operated by rank liberals who hate conservatives, religion, and possibly the country itself. They use their own actions against conservative media, individuals, and the President as proof of these claims. To what extent these claims are viewed as true of course varies from person to person; however, there is absolutely no question as to whether or not these perceptions are somewhat true. These companies operate within the world system and with the world’s values. They do not represent the values of Christ. However, hardly any company does across all aspects of day-to-day living.
Secondly, most recently, social media hurts or burdens the average soul of a believer in Christ.
The levels of vitriol, hubris, and verminous speech weighs heavily on one’s spirit. Twitter especially overflows with nasty and obscene speech at the principle level (although profanity too at times). People assume and assign motives, attack people instead of problems, tear down people instead of build them up, and respond to each other out of anger, bitterness, and malice. I could say jokingly that I am strictly referring to Christians, much less the non-Christians. No doubt this can place a heavy spiritual burden on the soul of a follower of Christ. If you read too much of it, your spirit toward people and circumstances can get putrid or septic very quickly. I have talked multiple times in the past year with a blogger/author friend who has been to the point of exasperation regarding these issues.
Third, many Christians get frustrated for pure economic and privacy reasons.
Because of user agreements and business practices of these large social media platforms, many people find that they are increasingly more uncomfortable using these platforms. Who wants to be data-mined, manipulated, or anything of the sort. Not me. Who wants the Big Tech companies to make money off of free services? Many do not. How is it that you can talk about dog treats to your dog in one room and then go online in the other room only to find dog treat advertisements on four different platforms? These things trouble many.
Fourth, cancel culture is real.
People cancel people. One side against another side. Ginned up, pent up, and bursting up anger abounds. This past year especially it seems as if the cancel culture has grown more and more. Seemingly, every person waits for reasons to be angry and calls for boycotting others. Maybe you said something, did something, or wrote something in the past “X” number of years (time is no limit) that was poorly said, unwisely shared, or simply was sinful. In a cancel-culture world, all of those things become fodder to seek to cancel you. Why? Because you disagree with another person, offend them, or cause them disgust.
Fifth, regarding Twitter especially, in specific Christian conservative circles the conversations continue to broil endlessly.
Hot topic issues that keep everything stirred continue to perpetuate Twitter feeds. I personally have fought this in my own heart this past year. I regularly exercise self-counsel as I read various posts. What are the issues? Issues related to Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, Racism, and Politics. These seemingly endless conversations often promote disunity while suggesting they desire unity. If you get caught in one of these circles or echo chambers, watch out! It can harm your soul quickly.
Why Stay as a Christian on Social Media?
After I have made such a strong argument to get off of social media, how is it possible to be convincing on reasons to stay? Let me suggest there are three reasons to stay engaged on social media that supersede the reasons to abandon it.
First, we need an easy medium to reach out to each other.
Why? Because we need each other. Social media connects friends and other believers across streets, neighborhoods, communities, counties, states, regions, and countries. Through it, missionaries connect to members in their supporting churches. Friends from past days can stay in touch with each other. In a matter of moments, Christian friends can hear of a prayer request and begin to pray to God above as one voice from anywhere in the world. We can learn of needs of which we can help alleviate. As one reaches out, many others can weigh in to provide a virtual one-another ministry which is often followed up by physical care as well. Without social media, these things are much, much harder.
Second, the potential for good far outweighs the very strong reasons to leave as aforementioned.
Do you realize both the real-time good and the potential for good as a result of social media? Christians who use social media as a way to stay engaged with each other encourage each other endlessly. For any Christ-centered, Gospel-loving follower of Christ who chooses to engage on social media with an others-oriented, others-loving, others-first perspective will find a rich ministry opportunity on social media. Scrolling through posts creates a dynamic and very active prayer list. You say sentence prayers to God as you see the burdens or cares of others. Further, you become aware of needs that you, your small group, or your church may be able to alleviate. You see posts that as you walk in the Spirit and use discernment clues you in to others who may be discouraged, simply need a word of encouragement, or may need intervention. At this point friends, I am just beginning to make this list. For space purposes, I will offer this list in a different blogpost at a different time. Just remember this: if you go online looking for ways to minister to others, the potential benefits are endless.
Third, the world who hates us needs us.
You will not have better opportunities to reach your unsaved, God-hating, lost friends than through social media. Think of your social media efforts as a way to touch people with the love of Christ. As you write, post, share, forward, and otherwise engage on social media, think of both your saved and unsaved friends as your audience. Give an encouraging word. Reach out with a word of hope. Explain how God has blessed you. Rejoice in Christ. Exalt life in the body of Christ. Invite people to church. Highlight great resources on blogs. Review great books that bless your soul. Do these things and many more in one sentence here and another sentence there. You do not have to be a blog writer to do these things; instead, you do them in 160 characters or less. Specifically, try not to complain, argue, backbite, or otherwise act as any unbeliever would on social media. We do not need another discernment ministry or minister online. Instead, see it as an opportunity to spread the light of Jesus with those who need it most but do not even know they need it.
A Personal Story
In recent days my 100-year-old Grandad suffered COVID-19. He developed pneumonia and extreme confusion. He ended up staying in the hospital and then the rehabilitation hospital for over twenty days or so. His story with COVID still is not over as he continues to need to grow in strength.
Friends, I cannot adequately express in words the love and prayer that was poured out to him, me, and my entire family through social media. Within moments of us requesting prayer, hundreds of people were praying. People did not simply respond to the request; they also left comments. As I read each of those comments, my heart felt the love of Christ virtually through the love of Christ’s people. Again, words cannot capture the love you demonstrated and communicated to us. I cried as I read little tidbits and stories. I rejoiced in your care for Christ and the people of Christ. As each comment alerted on my phone, my heart was lifted up in worship of the Savior Who makes these kinds of relationships possible.
Even if in the past two months my Grandad would have died, my heart would have been strengthened, my faith buoyed, and my burden lighter because of all those on social media who engaged my story, left a quick reaction, or took a moment of a comment. God used you to help serve one of His own. God allowed you to function as part of His common grace in the life of another follower of Jesus Christ.
How? Through social media.
If you choose to leave social media, these and hundreds of other opportunities to serve others are lost. My story is one of millions. For me, social media serves as a place to love Christ faithfully and share the love of Christ with others sincerely. It helps me pray. Through it I find ways to serve others.
In sum…
Is social media perfect? Absolutely not.
Can you be encouraged to sin and actually discouraged through it? Yes, of course.
But are the opportunities to love Christ, love other followers of Christ, and love the world even greater? 100% yes!
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together