Broken Humanity and Social Media

                                                     

So I'm not even halfway through 'The Social Dilemma' on Netflix and I decided to move my phone charger upstairs and remove toxic social media from my phone. There are a number of people (Christian and non-Christian) vehemently stating we all need to get off social media right now, that it's a drug and teams of social engineers do nothing else but work on ways to manipulate our emotions and thoughts to get us to do what they want. In this documentary they share a quote: "when you don't purchase a product you are the product" or something like that. For the longest time I've been defending FB and other social media as nothing more than a tool and it's up to us to determine how to use it. However, I was wrong.

Here's a test to determine whether or not social media is manipulating you or not: Take a moment to consider where you stand on the issues of the day. If you strongly take one side and believe it's the irrefutable, unquestionable, absolute truth and you're willing to disrespect, belittle and bully others who don't agree with you, you've been hacked or manipulated. There's absolutely no legitimate excuse to treat another person like this, no matter how vehemently you believe you're right and they're wrong. If this is you, you need to get off social media RIGHT NOW!! Right now! Stop reading this, delete your account or temporarily suspend it and remove the app from your phone. I realized I was quickly falling into various camps. It felt like someone was holding a gun to my head and making me choose between only one of two positions. Now I'm seeing many of my friends and family on FB falling hook, line and sinker into this same trap. All I can say is stop believing the lie you're still in control and take real control of your life and get off social media. Stop watching the news, get off all social media and abstain from discussing the issues of the day until you can do so with a clearer head, willingness to really listen to others and no longer have the desire to verbally beat others down simply because they don't agree with you.

The last time we saw this level of manipulation, propaganda and brainwashing was Nazi Germany, but what we're seeing today is far worse. An entire country followed an evil dictator out of fear and/or pride. Either believing they would be killed or believing the lie of nationalism. For now the goal of this manipulation is relatively benign as it's used to get us to buy certain products, vote for certain candidates and vehemently believe in something we otherwise wouldn't so vehemently believe in. This can easily turn into something much more sinister.

So in the age of disinformation, manipulation, brainwashing, fear, anger and hate where can we find truth, kindness, brotherhood, peace and love? Jesus! And how do we learn about Him or reconnect with this old and best friend? Prayer, fellowship and reading His word. This reminds me of the movie 'Ray' about Ray Charles. The actor playing Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx) has this vision of his mother saying "Jesus is the best friend you'll ever have". My mother used to say "The Holy Spirit is a gentleman". Both of these women are right. We have to take responsibility for making the first step of admitting we have a problem and then asking Him to help heal our thoughts and hearts. Jesus isn't going to break down our doors, but if we let Him in He'll take care of us. Our hearts are the most precious and valuable things we have. Jesus died so that our hearts can be truly free and be with the One they were actually made for. He's the closest family member we all eventually realize, whether in this life or the next, is the most loving, loyal and best friend we could ever have. Closer than we could ever be to any other human being in this life. This realization will either lead us to an eternity with Him or without Him. Hell isn't a place as much as it is this realization.

Father, hear my prayer and have mercy on me a sinner. Forgive me for being disrespectful and cruel to others. For trying to run over and bully others. Forgive me for treating Your children in an ill manner instead of treating them as beings created in the similitude of God. Help me to follow the examples and teaching of Your Son Jesus Christ, who You desire I follow, befriend, listen to and become more and more like. Help me to listen more to Your Holy Spirit as my counselor rather than social media and fake news. Heal my broken heart. Help me to desire Jesus more than life itself. Cloth me in Your word so that the name of Jesus might be glorified.

Adam and Eve or Adam and Steve?

And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." (Genesis 2:18)

Men and women were created equal, but with important and divine differences. We shouldn't live in ignorance of this nor fight against it. The world does, but Christians ought not to. These differences are not only beautiful, but necessary. When we fight against it we fight against God and the order of His creation and thus will live profoundly discontented lives always seeking but never finding. Since the world accepts and even condones these evil practices many can be led astray and it’s made worse by the lie that for a season many can find “a sense” of the acceptance they’ve been seeking their entire lives, moments of pleasure or happiness. However, even though we may “doing well” in the eyes of the world, we will be miserable and/or dead inside and so the incessant seeking of the flesh continues.

When we ignore the differences between men and women we miss out on an aspect of creation and then wonder why our lives feel so empty. The relationship between a man and woman should reflect the wonder and beauty of God. This is why it's a sacrament of the faith. This is why gay marriage, adultery and fornication are so wrong. Each of these sinful practices are fleshly drives for perceived acceptance and momentary pleasure. They aren’t wrong simply because they are against “nature” or different than “the norm”, or even threatening to a particular way of life. The world makes the issue out to be discrimination and freedom of choice, the way of the world and acceptance, but it's not. Unfortunately, many on the other side of these issues do have prejudice in their hearts as they react out of fear, ignorance and hatred. All of these perspectives are wrong. It’s not about acceptance, freedom to choose, forcing views on others, abandonment, fear or hatred. You see at least the homosexual, the adulterer and the fornicator acknowledge outwardly their deep inward longings to be accepted, to find happiness, pleasure, love and acceptance in a crappy, hurtful and broken world. At least they see the hole in their hearts and are trying to fill it with some form of relationship. However, where they go wrong is in where they seek this. Other broken people, of which comprises all of humanity, are never the answer to these longings. Only a sincere and humble heart seeking after Jesus Christ is the answer. Everything else is at best a temporary distraction. Homosexual or heterosexual doesn’t matter. The sense of longing and deadness will still be there whether it’s sought in a same sex partner or opposite sex.  

Now to the response of the church.

The church seems to always have one of two reactions to these above sexual sins, especially homosexuality:

1.   1.    Excommunication. Get away from us we want nothing to do with you. You are wicked, foul, openly disobedient and outside of the faith. We want nothing to do with you.

or

2.   2.    We love you. We forgive you. We accept you. The above people are wrong. Come join us. No need to repent because you have nothing to repent of.

Both of these responses are wrong and not taught anywhere in scripture.

The crowd in camp 1 have missed the lesson of 2 Corinthians 2 about forgiving the offending brother. Also they ignore 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 with regards to the Christian response to the non-believer (i.e. the Christian worldview shouldn’t be expected or forced on anyone).

The crowd in camp 2 ignore Matthew 18 about confronting and responsibility to the sinful brother and 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 about the churches response to the sinful brother. They also completely miss the need for repentance (turning from sin to Jesus). While forgiveness and love are paramount in the Christian life, love is meaningless without a response and that response is often times repentance. 

If one person tells another they love them, but are unwilling to commit to an exclusive relationship, risk their own heart or tell them when they cross a boundary or hurt them, then is this really love? In the same way if we say we love God and others, but are cruel, unforgiving and intolerant how are we showing love? If we never set boundaries, enable destructive behaviors, never confront or admonish how are we showing love? It's far too easy to marginalize or dismiss people and it's too easy to accept others without boundaries.

We are all free to make choices which can ultimately destroy us, but does this mean others should stand around as bystanders using the excuse of "This is the choice they made, so we ought to accept it. Didn't Jesus say to love one another and not judge?" or “They are too broken to be concerned with” then criticize and do nothing to help. The response is to hold to Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Jesus always loved and yet He was always clear about what was wrong and why. He loved too much to allow us to keep on sinning in ignorance, but loved us enough to know we would. Yes His message was one of love, but also repentance.

The Battle With Sin: What's a man or woman to do?

First, we must look at what the Bible has to say on this subject.

How does the Father view us?

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)

So then...

Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)

The work/our effort:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Our calling...

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (I John 5:4, 5)


The problem with simply focusing in on behavioral management without pursuing a filling of the Holy Spirit:

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45)


We are not a defeated people! There's nothing in us which is too ugly or broken for Jesus. Yes we need to do whatever we can to move away from any sin especially footholds and strongholds (these are areas which are routine sin struggles in our lives).


Practical steps:

1. Be honest with yourself and others. What sets the stage for the triggers which lead to the sin which so easily entangles? Is it anxiety, depression, anger or something else? What are the triggers? A person, a TV show, a video game, a website, something else?

2. What can we do?

No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. (Genesis 39:9, 12)

Our response needs to be drastic. If we're feeling depressed or anxious or whatever sets the stage we need to flee. Take a walk, pray, get in the bible, get in your car and drive some where, call someone, get some exercise or do what you have to. Jesus uses an analogy of cutting off body parts to move away from sin. In other words do not accept sin in our lives. Fight it!

Then once this passes call someone again, ask them to pray for you and seek out more of God in those immature areas of our hearts.

There's a reason we are called to put on the full armor of God. It's not for looks. It's because we live in a world at war and we should expect and be prepared for battle. We shouldn't be caught off guard.

Are you a casualty of this war or are you more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus? Are you under the lie that you are defeated or the truth that you are a son, or daughter of God?