Motivation, Moderation, Modesty
My wife recently posted a discussion on her Facebook page. I’m not going to go into detail on what the discussion was about as that is not the point of this post. What the discussion made me realize though, is that Christians are supposed to conduct themselves online in a way that glorifies God in the same way that we are to conduct ourselves in person. Unfortunately, many of us find that the anonymity afforded behind a computer screen turns us into a raging hate monster capable of saying things that we wouldn’t be caught dead saying face to face. The computer also seems to give us license to display more than we ought. This is a real problem for the cause of Christ in this world. Remember fellow Christian, our heavenly Father has called us to be salt and light in this world….even on social media. As my wife and I discussed her discussion post we came up with three things that every person should do before they post on whichever social media site they use.
Motivation
As a follower of Jesus, every Christian should be in a constant state of motivation examination. In essence, we are to be self-detectives about what we say, what we do, and how we believe. In 1 Corinthians we are told to examine if we are in right relationship with Christ and His body before we take communion. In 2 Corinthians we are told that we should examines ourselves to see if we are truly believer’s in Jesus. In Galatians, we are to test our work. In 1 Thessalonians we are to test everything and hold fast to the good. On and on it goes. The point I see is that Christians we need to pick apart our every motivation for what we put online. We need to dissect why we put that rant about the government on our feed. Or why that selfie made it to Facebook. Or why, when I disagreed with that other person politically, theologically, or personally, I decided to tear into them instead of dialoguing winsomely? What is the motivation of my heart? Am I a child of Christ? Then my motivations should be for His glory, fueled by His grace.
Moderation
For some of us this is easy. I personally have to be reminded to post something. I have only one social media account. That’s on Facebook, and I’m sure there have been times when Facebook tried to archive my account. For others though, and please don’t be offended if this is you, social media is the digital record of every second of every day. The advent of social media brought with it a natural desire for our friends to like what we are doing. So, we post, and post, and post, and post. What I am eating, what I am doing, where I am going, who I am with. When our real friends don’t like my stuff enough, I accept friend requests from people whom I don’t know really well. Then I accept requests from acquaintances, and then distant relatives of acquaintances, so that I can garner enough likes to feel relevant. Look at what the Apostle Peter says about Christian characteristics:
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, (6) and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, (7) and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV
Right in the middle is self-control. Self-control allows us to moderate how we behave, both in the flesh and online. Self-control is not easy, it comes through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to change us into the image of Jesus. When this happens, however, we will work to glorify Jesus in all we do. This means the decision to post something that glorifies myself rather than glorifying God or encouraging my neighbor will become moot. My heart will desire Christ rather than that one second of fame.
Modesty
This is arguable the most contentious point of my post today. People get really riled up over the subject of modesty. We tend to presume and over-assume what is meant by modesty. Let me start by saying that immodesty for my purpose in this post is anything that draws attention to my physical appearance by way of showing off my body in any way. Let’s go straight to the Word of God:
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; (9) likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, (10) but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
1 Timothy 2:8-10 ESV
This verse specifically singles females out for dressing modestly but it is just as easy for males to be immodest as it is for females. Matthew Henry gives us this advice when it comes to the passage above:
“And it would be well if the professors of serious godliness were wholly free from vanity in dress. They should spend more time and money in relieving the sick and distressed, than in decorating themselves and their children.”
Everything about a Christian should draw attention the work of Jesus in that person’s life. It should never draw attention to physical beauty as a way of garnering followers or likes.
Friends, I have daughters, they are physically beautiful, but it doesn’t take immodesty for people to see that. A godly attitude and modesty are far more beautiful than revealing clothing and a crass demeanor.
What this boils down to is attitude. Who is the most important person in your life? Jesus or yourself? What we post on social media often tells us that answer to that question.
The next time you are about to click post ask what is motivating you to put that picture, article, opinion, online. Is it the glory of God or the encouragement of another person? Is it so that your parents can see their grandkids? Those are great reasons!
Also, ask yourself, how many times have you posted today? Does your online activity resemble an addiction? Do you hit social media first thing in the morning and last thing before bed? If the answer is yes, you need to rearrange your priorities. There are far more important things in life than social media. Try starting your day in the Word, that really helps set priorities!
Lastly, ask if what your posting is modest. Usually, if you’ve already asked the first two questions you will have already answered this one, but it is good to keep in mind.
Let your online life give glory to God, let it share the gospel, and let it encourage those who run into it online.
Pastor Jon
