Is Social Media Ruining Your Testimony?

It's a topic that's been on my mind for a long time.

If we love God and know better, why don't we do better?

Especially when it comes to social media?

Last Sunday, our pastor gave a message on a well-known passage of scripture. 

The message was entitled, "Where has the shame gone?"

We looked at Genesis 3:1-13.

Adam and Eve eat from the "tree of knowledge" and suddenly find themselves "naked."

They attempt to cover themselves up by sewing together fig leaves to make "aprons."

When God enters the Garden, they hide. 

God asks them why they're hiding.

Adam's response: "I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."

God asks them how they know they are naked.

But he already knows the answer.

They've eaten from the tree of knowledge.

They have not been obedient to God.

When the conversation comes to a close in verse 21, 

God makes Adam and Eve better coverings than the "aprons" they created themselves. 

"Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."

Our pastor asked the question: "Where has the shame gone?"

And it got me thinking.

These days, it's not uncommon to find an image of a skimpily-clad young woman gracing the page of her Facebook. Or Instagram. Or Twitter. Or Pinterest. 

Scripture clearly says that what you're wearing is not enough. 

See verse 21 again.

God made better coverings for his children.

Aprons were--and still are--not enough.

But you know, it's not only skimpy clothes that plague the social media world.

Some Christians even brag about their drinking and partying, too.

I can't tell you how discouraging it is to pull up Facebook (my only means of communication with some family and friends) and see picture after picture of a Christian friend who's had a "long, hard" night. 

Listen, I'm not trying to be judgmental or rude.

I'm just trying to be honest with you.

If we are to be the "salt of the earth", we're failing miserably.

I think the one thing that is most disconcerting is the constant gossip.

Oh my, it's endless!

So and so did this.

So and so did that.

You'll never guess what _________ (insert name here) did.

Relationships--romantic, familial, platonic--come to an end and I find myself trying to ignore the angry aftermath between two people who refuse to take the high road.

They attack each other in the form of what they consider 'mysterious' status updates.

It's hard to swallow.

I know you.

I know how much you love Jesus.

Where is your humility?

Where is your compassion?

So, I pose the question: Is social media ruining your testimony?

Are you living a life online that glorifies God?

Or are you destroying it by the things you post?

It's a good question.

I had to ask myself the same one.

If someone looked at my Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Blog, would they see how much I love Jesus?

Or would they question the part of my bio that says "Christian"?

I don't know the answer for sure. 

But I know that I can make it my goal every time I log on to glorify my Savior.

In the words I write.

In the pictures I post.

In the comments I make to others.

We are called to be "set apart." 

Are you setting yourself apart from the crowd?

Maybe you had never considered it before.

Or maybe you have been ignoring the inner voice that's been telling you to glorify God in every area of your life.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advanced for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written, 'Be holy, because I am holy."

(1 Peter 1:15-16)

All Scripture was taken from the KJV and NIV.