The Power of Social Media
There is no doubt that social media has become an integral part of modern life. These portals allow us to interact with persons in every corner of the earth. As long as someone has an Internet connection and is on social media, he or she is within our reach.
There were 4,156,932,140 Internet users worldwide as of December 2017, which was 54.4% of the world’s population.
The chart above shows the global reach of this website, Just a Word. It is a relatively young website, but already, we have managed to cover many countries in the world. Our first post was written less than 2 months ago, on the 8th of April, 2018. Most of our visitors are from social media.
By its nature (like never before in the history of mankind), it presents a powerful opportunity for us to fulfill “the great commission:”
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of Ruach HaKodesh:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Awmane.
Social Media as a Tool of YHWH’S Judgment
However, most of us blindly use it, not realizing that it is also a tool of the Father’s judgment.
1 Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of Elohiym: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the good news of Elohiym?
The opportunity to get the word out into all the world is terribly misused and abused by us believers. Unknowingly, we are bringing ourselves to judgment as we shall soon see.
Evil or Good: It Is Our Choice
Deut 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
The enemy intends social media for evil. It is a place of pride and idolatry, first and foremost. It is a place where people are addicted and idle their time away, technically gossiping, wasting time, showing off who they are, what they posses. It is a place of competition, showing off that we are better than others. It is a place of entertaining others, so we keep friends by keeping them entertained.
On the positive side, it is a place where people interact and seek out information, answers and opportunities. It is a place where people can help others. It is even a place where believers can start their own businesses.
1Th_4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
It is on the positive side where believers should seize their opportunity and expend their energies.
How Believers Are Being Led By Social Media
However, we find believers more entangled with the former (evils of social media). It is the age of the prideful believer.
Many believers spend their time playing games, sharing jokes, arguing about the latest football scores, showing off their worldly cares, entertaining themselves and others.
In other words, many of us use social media as a place of pleasure. We forget that we were called out of this world, but instead we try to fit in and partake of the sinners’ table. However:
Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Mashiach and of YHWH.1Ti_5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
The Age of the Reviling Believer
I am convinced that most believers don’t know what reviling is. Even among those of us who spend our time sharing the word on social media, reviling is almost ever present. This is the age of the reviling believer.
What is reviling?
Reviling is actually responding aggressively or mockingly to statements or questions from others. It is a sin and revilers cannot enter the kingdom of YHWH.
1 Cor 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of Elohiym? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1 Cor 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of Elohiym.
While sharing the word, and we come upon opposition, the general tendency is to revile. It is so widespread, it would appears that it is hardly taught in the assemblies at all. See: No Reviler Shall Inherit the Kingdom.
However, what did the Mashiach do when he was reviled?
1 Pet 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
The Spirit of the Messiah
The question is, what spirit is causing us to do all that (misuse social media)?
Is it Ruach HaKodesh, the set apart Spirit of the Father? Is it the same Ruach Mashiach (Spirit of Messiah)?
Be reminded by this:
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Elohiym dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Mashiach, he is none of his.
If we don’t have the Spirit of the Messiah, we do not belong to him.
If the Messiah Was Here, How Would He Have Used Social Media?
Now the question we need to ask ourselves, if the Messiah was here on earth, would he be sharing jokes or the latest viral posts on social media?
Would he be spending his time arguing whether Arsenal is a better team than Manchester United? or whether Cleveland Cavaliers is better than Golden State Warriors? Would he be sharing the latest viral post that does nothing to spiritually edify anyone?
Would he be sharing graphic/violent videos, considering that:
Psa 101:3-7 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
So if what is influencing us to share these unedifying posts his is not the Spirit of Messiah, therefore it must be another spirit!
What The Messiah Would Be Doing
The Messiah would be doing exactly what he did as soon as he was immersed (baptized) and came out of fasting and temptation:
Mat 4:17 From that time Yah’shua began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
He did not stop doing that to the day of his death. He took no holiday as far as the Bible tells us. He never took a break from whence he started!
Born Again
We must take heed and know that it is not enough to be a believer. If it was so (that all we need to do is to believe), then HaMashiach would not have said this:
John 3:3 Yahshua answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of YHWH.
What It Means To Be Born Again
And let me remind us that being born again means being converted. It means we are new beings, totally different from who we were before. Our desires have been transformed from earthly desires, lusts and pleasures. Our desire is now the things of the spirit.
To be born again, we have to first die to ourselves and to the world. Listen: What does it mean to be born again?
Pleasing YHWH Instead of Pleasing Ourselves
Then, instead of focusing on pleasing ourselves, our focus will now be on doing the things that please YHWH.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
A Set Apart Believer Will Use Social Media Effectively
A truly born again, set apart believer has no social media addiction. His or her focus is always on the same thing: getting the good news out to as many persons as possible. He or she will happily use social media for spreading the word. It will not be used for pleasure.
How Social Media is Bringing Millions of Believers to Destruction
In the meantime, we believe we are qodesh, set apart, but being controlled by social media? Sorry, but we are only being pulled closer and closer to the lake of fire, because:
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
I pray this post will make us aware of the dangers of social media. It can and will surely be bringing millions of believers to destruction.
Let us not be deceived; the enemy is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. But he doesn’t always look like a roaring lion. Sometimes he comes subtly, while we are unaware, deceiving us into disobedience. Be not deceived.
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