“The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!”
Proverbs 26:13

I got to thinking about social media yesterday. For all I talk about following Jesus, I sure can get sucked into the hype of the day and ignore him altogether. I’ll sit down for a bit and remember that I have neglected my bible plan yet start looking at my phone instead to make sure I haven’t missed something more important. How much time I spend on my phone, I’d rather not know. I do know that I can certainly cut back and be better for it.

Ephesians 5:15-17 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Plain and simple, if I’m learning how to treat human beings from the world’s perspective, I’m in big trouble. The bible is all I need to study on that. If I want to discover how ignorant and wicked people are, again, my bible is a much better source of information. In fact, if I’m listening to what the world has to say, I’m actually listening to Satan because he is the ruler of this world.

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience – among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

And who is this prince?

John 8:42-47 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

If we’re looking for empirical evidence, simply look around. Take a pick of any social topic you want and you’ll find differing opinions. The bigger the issue, the more people express those opinions. We dig up evidence to support our position and shout it for all the idiots to hear, but they won’t listen because they are shouting right back to us! Honestly, it reminds me of trench warfare of World War I. Seems to me that that strategy was a meat-grinder yet produced no winner. Everybody lost.

Here’s the thing. Society and culture are going to change. Sometimes it changes for the better; sometimes for the worse. Can I make an impact on any of it? I suppose one could say that the flapping wings of a butterfly contribute to building a hurricane on the other side of the world. Honestly, there is very little I can do to change the course of history. Yet somehow, I think I can by spending time in the news or social media.

What really is happening is that I have become part of the world’s system and find my heart hardening just like everyone else. I find my opinions getting entrenched, and I start getting angry. You know what Jesus compares anger to? Murder.

Wouldn’t I be far better off by spending time in my bible, encouraging other believers, and sharing the gospel with those who don’t yet believe in Jesus? The more time I spend in the Spirit, the more his light shines from my heart. The more light, the more I love.

I hear his voice and understand what he says. It’s time for me to give social media a break because it has become an idol.

Father, forgive me. Amen.

Copyright © 2020 Scott Powers