What the book of Peter can teach us about Facebook
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Social media can be a confusing and intimidating space for the upstanding Christian. There are so many messages on Facebook and Twitter, and not very many of them are positive or affirming of a Christian lifestyle.
Then there is the matter of what you should post, how you should conduct yourself. As a Christian, we feel an extra responsibility to conduct ourselves properly in front of others, sometimes for honest and true reasons, and sometimes (sadly) for appearances sake. But as humans, we're given to the same petty impulses and temptations as the next person.
It can be hard to know where to draw the line. You don't want to seem like a wet-blanket,
tsking like a schoolmarm at every other post you see. Nor do you want social media to become a source of pride, an impediment to your walk with the Lord. How often is too often to share a selfie of you with your group of friends, or that amazing steak and asparagus dish you make so well? Are you sharing, or bragging? Celebrating, or showing off?
Thankfully, even when it comes to such a modern phenomenon, we can turn to scripture to help us find the way. When I worry about how I'm conducting myself online, I think of a verse from the book of Peter that always helps me find my priorities.
Peter 3:15-16
But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
This is the truth of it. Instead of worrying about how you look, worry about how you feel. Make sure the Lord is always in your heart and guiding all of your actions – even those silly cat GIFs you like to post. If you're honestly sharing selfies and posting about your day-to-day life in celebration of the light of the Lord and the blessings he's bestowed on you, and not just using it as a vehicle to brag or feel superior, then post away.
Similarly, it's important to treat others with "gentleness and respect.” You don't need to be out there vocally sharing your displeasure at everything that rubs you the wrong way. Obviously, if you see something that strikes you as wrong or evil, don't be afraid to decry it for what it is, but let the little annoyances pass. Instead, focus on being a good example. Show people the love and compassion of a Christian who walks with the Lord, the absolute joy that can come from living a righteous and honest life in Christ. In short, conduct yourself in such a manner that someone would be ashamed to speak maliciously against your good behavior.
True when it was written, and true today.
