This week, I had the amazing, wonderful, marvelous opportunity to lead a breakout session at my Cru's Womens' Time, along with my dear co lead Erin, about how Media Impacts our Idea of Value as a Christian Woman. I know what you're thinking: "Wow! What a perfect topic for my favorite person, SB, to talk about!" Thanks, blog reader! I agree.
I am so passionate about this topic. It's to timely, and it hits close to home, as I am a communications major and will be working closely with all kinds of media for the rest of my life. Just like anything else in this life, navigating media is hard (because why would anything be easy?) It's a platform for all the broken people of the world to compete to see who can pretend to be the least broken. It's a platform that is home to both lost college students and pre- pubescent children and middle aged professionals and everyone in between , and no one is holding anything back. Does anyone see something wrong with this? Okay good, I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Jesus says that we are perfect in his sight, fearfully and wonderfully made, strong, dignified, his daughters and sons, and that with him, we cannot fail. These are all promises given to us in the bible, yet we so often deny the accuracy of his words. We'd rather hold onto the lies given to us by the King of Deceit, Satan himself. HE is the one telling us that we will never get the guy if we don't post a perfect bikini pic. HE is the one telling us that we will never be as successful as the person who is always posting about their amazing grades and academic achievements. HE is the one telling us that we will never be pretty enough, clever enough, funny enough. I have fallen victim to the lies of the devil so many times, trust me, and I am here to tell you that the war against him has been won, and we are no longer slaves to his lies.
Having social media isn’t a sin or bad, but we can use it wrong when we have motives that are impure behind it. Satan will do everything and anything to divide us with God, and social media is no exception. Don’t play the fool and allow it to be a distraction or a heart struggle; give it to God and let him use it for his glory.
So what now? Social media isn't going anywhere, and I for sure am not trying to tell you to avoid it (because then I'd be out of a future career). God has blessed us with free will, but we also live in a broken world, and nothing is gonna be perfect. So, I'd like to share with you some of my very own tips and tricks for navigating social media as a young, valued, beautiful, daughter of Christ. (Special super amazing shoutout to my co lead, Erin Mackenstein, for helping me lead this talk and contributing #6!)
SB's SOCIAL MEDIA FIELD GUIDE FOR SUPER AMAZING, FUNKY FRESH BIBLICAL CHICAS
- Never do something on Social Media that you wouldn’t do in person.
- This includes what you wear, the conversations you have, even the gossipping of another person to your best friend. Those things may seem appealing, but they are doing nothing but damaging your relationship with Jesus. We don’t need fancy clothes, contouring makeup, or duck faces to be accepted by him, and if he is all we need, why would we try to impress others that way? Surround yourself with people who find your passion for Jesus attractive and enticing.
- Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” -1 Timothy 4:11-13
- Don’t mistake a boy sending you a DM or liking your selfie for a man actively pursuing you.
- You are worth so much more than just a few taps behind a iPhone screen. Hold out for a man who is willing to ask you out on a REAL date. If you don’t think that boy is praying for you, or if you don’t think he would ask your father for his blessing, drop him. Those practices might seem a little extreme for today’s dating climate, but trust us, you’ll thank us later. Jesus doesn’t need to see your flawless selfies or Instagram posts to love you, so you shouldn’t pine after people who do.
- “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” - 1 Corinthians 13:14-17
- Don’t be afraid to just unplug.
- The beauty of social media and cell phones is that they come with an off button. Being the first like on your bestie’s Insta post or keeping your Snapchat streaks alive aren’t (and will never be) more important than your mental health and your relationship with Jesus. Ask yourself questions like: “am I walking by the spirit?”, “am I bragging?”, “am I battling envy and discontent?”, and “is this the best and most glorifying use of my time?”. If you feel drained after a few minutes on Facebook, lonely after #NationalBoyfriendDay on Instagram, or forgotten after seeing all your friends hitting up G Hill on a Saturday night, spend some time with Jesus. Crack open your bible and soak up the truths he has to offer.
- “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 6:1
- Don’t let Social Media replace community in your life!
- As Christians, community is one of the biggest gifts and assets we have been given by God. We are social creatures, we are not meant to live in isolation. Don’t let Satan sell you the lie that an online relationship will be as fulfilling as a real one. We need to be real with each other, laugh together, cry together, live together, and that is something that Facebook will never be able to offer. “
- “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” -Hebrews 10:24-25
- Use it to be a light!
- We are living in a day and age where something’s worth is based on a number of tags, likes, and retweets. While that is wildly corrupt, we have to get out there and be warriors for Jesus. As Christians, people will always come after what we believe and try to tear us down. What you do on social media isn’t a reflection of anyone else’s character but your own. If you spend time being bitter because of something you see, it will do nothing but hurt your own spirit. Use your platform to shine your light. Something you post one second can be seen by someone in Japan in seconds. It may be intimidating, but we cannot forget that we cannot fail with Jesus by our side. Wear your faith on your sleeve, build each other up, and be unashamed of what Jesus has done in your life. You never know who will see it, or how God will use it in someone else’s life.
- “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:14-16
- Comparison is the Thief of Joy
- No matter how put together someone may present themselves online, no one is perfect and has it all together. Be mindful of your thoughts when scrolling through your newsfeed, it’s easy to see a well filtered post and compare your life to someone else's. This may begin a spiral of self doubt and pity. Everyone is on a different journey, comparison will drain your joy and peace of mind. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. It is none of our business what God is doing in someone else’s life. You have been equipped with the power to say no to comparison, God has given you a sound mind, so walk in it.
- “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” -2 Timothy 1:7
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