First Post- Is anybody out there?

[Justin Olman]

Hi, I've been finding myself starved for fellowship and recently everywhere I turn something or someone is telling me to find some. So here goes...
I recently read James 4:4
Question: If you participate on a social media site that has a world view and censors Christians are you making an enemy of God? Remember, you have to enter a contract or agreement of use to join such a site.

 

[JesseBassett]

@Justin Olman,
In answer to your question, I would say it is a matter of conscience. If you feel that said social media site is damaging, then avoid it! It is a personal choice and I feel has nothing to do with one being a "enemy of God". By the way, welcome to Christian Forums!

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Hi, I've been finding myself starved for fellowship and recently everywhere I turn something or someone is telling me to find some. So here goes...
I recently read James 4:4
Question: If you participate on a social media site that has a world view and censors Christians are you making an enemy of God? Remember, you have to enter a contract or agreement of use to join such a site.

I don't think so about the enemy of God bit. (reason: context of verse)

However, being on social media can definitely contribute to you being starved.

There have been studies linking social media participation to depression.

I'm only posting here every so often, but deleted my facebook years ago. It felt like I was being digested in a stomach in which everyone in the same stomach became more and more deluded regurgitating the same ideas and pictures.

Anyway, that's just my perspective, do what you gotta do. Welcome to CF, I hope you find some good conversations and fellowship here.

 

[Halbhh]

Hi, I've been finding myself starved for fellowship and recently everywhere I turn something or someone is telling me to find some. So here goes...
I recently read James 4:4
Question: If you participate on a social media site that has a world view and censors Christians are you making an enemy of God? Remember, you have to enter a contract or agreement of use to join such a site.

Basically if lost sinners are dragging us into any sin as we are friendly to them, we are to withdraw from those situations we can't handle. Praying the prayer Christ gave us to pray each day, in Mathew chapter 6, is needed for any and every Christian, and includes that we be delivered from evil.

Welcome to CF!

 

[Justin Olman]

@Justin Olman,
In answer to your question, I would say it is a matter of conscience. If you feel that said social media site is damaging, then avoid it! It is a personal choice and I feel has nothing to do with one being a "enemy of God". By the way, welcome to Christian Forums!

I'm trying to figure out a way to say this that doesn't make me sound like an over the top nut case...
There is currently evidence that some of the larger social media sites are in league with big tech. Big tech, socialism and communism are anti-christian. Couple that with the Christian censorship and it sounds like a new world order, world view to me. When James wrote these things there was no algorithm that was designed to keep your attention, hook you on non-christian content and effect your outlook on life...how you spend your money, vote, believe what is right and so on. However, I think it boils down to the same thing. Walk in the world without God and you become part of the world. James calls that an enemy of God, if I understand it correctly.

 

[Justin Olman]

I don't think so about the enemy of God bit. (reason: context of verse)

However, being on social media can definitely contribute to you being starved.

There have been studies linking social media participation to depression.

I'm only posting here every so often, but deleted my facebook years ago. It felt like I was being digested in a stomach in which everyone in the same stomach became more and more deluded regurgitating the same ideas and pictures.

Anyway, that's just my perspective, do what you gotta do. Welcome to CF, I hope you find some good conversations and fellowship here.

I'm with you brother. To be blunt. Facebook is evil. The AI that runs it is evil and the people that run the company are not Christians. I've known more than one kid that had to leave because of the anxiety their site causes. Thanks for the reply.

 

[kingsdaughter85]

Welcome to CF Justin. I hope you have a great Sunday❤️

 

[Justin Olman]

Basically if lost sinners are dragging us into any sin as we are friendly to them, we are to withdraw from those situations we can't handle. Praying the prayer Christ gave us to pray each day, in Mathew chapter 6, is needed for any and every Christian, and includes that we be delivered from evil.

Welcome to CF!

I'm afraid there's more than lost sinners on facebook. It's run by an AI algorithm designed to keep you engaged and influence the way you think. It's toxic.
I've studied the prayer you mentioned. I used it long ago as the base/format for the prayer I pray in the mornings today. I shy from repetitive daily prayers as they become habit with no meaning for me with time. I believe he wants a one on one relationship and appreciates my prayers because I follow what he taught and keep it current with our walk. Thanks for your reply

 

[Justin Olman]

Welcome to CF Justin. I hope you have a great Sunday❤️

Thanks, same to ya!

 

[David Hunter]

Howdy and welcome, Justin!

We're in the world but not of the world. So, we're participating in the world, but it doesn't mean we should conform to the world. I'd say the same goes with social media... You can be in it but not of it. Maybe your light will shine through the social media to those who aren't believers.... or maybe to believers who need some encouragement.

 

[Deade]

Hello Justin,
welcome to CF.

I hope you'll enjoy your stay here.

 

[Andrewn]

Welcome to the CF. Hope you enjoy the fellowship and discussions.

 

[JesseBassett]

I'm trying to figure out a way to say this that doesn't make me sound like an over the top nut case...
There is currently evidence that some of the larger social media sites are in league with big tech. Big tech, socialism and communism are anti-christian. Couple that with the Christian censorship and it sounds like a new world order, world view to me. When James wrote these things there was no algorithm that was designed to keep your attention, hook you on non-christian content and effect your outlook on life...how you spend your money, vote, believe what is right and so on. However, I think it boils down to the same thing. Walk in the world without God and you become part of the world. James calls that an enemy of God, if I understand it correctly.

@JustinOlman,
While this may be true...when the book of James was written, we did not have technology as we know it today. It was written in a time when local communication was done by word-of-mouth and verbal teachings. So I fail to see how that can be relivant to todays time. But thats just my opinion. Anyways, welcome again and enjoy yourself!

 

[Justin Olman]

Okay. The way I understand this is that the Christian has entered into a covenant with God and by having a relationship with worldly things we become unfaithful to him. There are people so wrapped up in these sites that they fail to see that the site is designed to oppose their walk with Christ. They think they can go there and give Christian advice and or support but fail to see that by going there they are supporting those that oppose God and by doing so oppose God themselves. In short, having a Facebook account is like James keeping a fully stocked room in Sodom.
Thanks for the encouragement. I think this could be just what I need. I look forward to any and all replies.

 

[Justin Olman]

Howdy and welcome, Justin!

We're in the world but not of the world. So, we're participating in the world, but it doesn't mean we should conform to the world. I'd say the same goes with social media... You can be in it but not of it. Maybe your light will shine through the social media to those who aren't believers.... or maybe to believers who need some encouragement.

By not conforming to the world you mean that you don't pay money to drug dealer or prostitutes. We don't support those that help bring the "World View" to the masses and oppose God by doing so, right.
But having a Facebook account is how they make money. By having that account you become a partner in the evil they sell. So even if you talk about Jesus and give positive encouragement with every post, the money they make by selling your information and showing you advertisements brings you closer to the end times on the wrong side of the street. A one world view. The anti-Christ
I hope that wasn't too over the top, I'm trying to make a point. If you pay a $100 a day to a pimp so you can talk about Jesus to one of his girls, are you helping the girl or supporting the pimp?

 

[David Hunter]

I get what you're saying, and it really makes one think (which I'll definitely be pondering on). But, with that, do you pay taxes?? If so, then are you supporting Planned Parenthood (they get a lot of their money from the government)?? So, then, what do you do?? Pay your taxes or don't pay them because you don't want to support Planned Parenthood and risk getting thrown in jail?

 

[Lee Warren]

Hello All! Thank you for being a part of this forum. This is my first time commenting on CF. I agree with Jesse Bassett that this is a matter of conscience. Personally, I felt a weight drop from me when I deleted my Facebook profile. It did nothing but make me angry and depressed when I went on the site, but I couldn't stop. Multiple times a day I would check in to see if I had any likes or comments. But I think It still could be useful for a Christian person, for communication or a Blog perhaps, to reach other people? I credit certain Youtube channels for leading me to Jesus Christ. Technology can be a powerful tool for Ministry and evangelism. But ultimately, you will have to be honest with yourself, and listen to your conscience concerning social media.

 

[sunshineforJesus]

Hi and welcome here.

 

[Justin Olman]

I get what you're saying, and it really makes one think (which I'll definitely be pondering on). But, with that, do you pay taxes?? If so, then are you supporting Planned Parenthood (they get a lot of their money from the government)?? So, then, what do you do?? Pay your taxes or don't pay them because you don't want to support Planned Parenthood and risk getting thrown in jail?

So James is traveling across the country. He comes to a town at the base of a high mountain with a narrow steep road that goes across it. The only way for him to get his stuff across the mountain is to hire a team of pack mules. There are two different pack mule owners in the town. The first owner he meets is beating his mules and they look thin and neglected. The second clearly loves his animals and they all look healthy and well taken care of. Which do you think he picks?
Don't we do the same thing when we vote? If you are voting for the people that don't care about the lives of babies then, yes, you are supporting Planned Parenthood. But if we vote against it and more importantly, pray for righteousness in the elected officials, then we stand with God. Be encouraged, God's remnant is rising in this country. I see it everywhere. Keep praying, you're making a difference.

 

[Justin Olman]

Hello All! Thank you for being a part of this forum. This is my first time commenting on CF. I agree with Jesse Bassett that this is a matter of conscience. Personally, I felt a weight drop from me when I deleted my Facebook profile. It did nothing but make me angry and depressed when I went on the site, but I couldn't stop. Multiple times a day I would check in to see if I had any likes or comments. But I think It still could be useful for a Christian person, for communication or a Blog perhaps, to reach other people? I credit certain Youtube channels for leading me to Jesus Christ. Technology can be a powerful tool for Ministry and evangelism. But ultimately, you will have to be honest with yourself, and listen to your conscience concerning social media.

Oh, I completely agree with you. A powerful tool indeed. It seems to me that many Christians in the past have been willing to compromise their position in the name of evangelism. I think we should be more careful of who we give power to. There's no reason we can't have social media sites that don't censor of try to influence the way we think or spend our money. We just need to be more aware and stand up.