Every problem in our time seems to be further fueled by social media. I realize social media can be a great tool. I realize there’s many different opinions. But I’m most concern with falsehoods that spreads that targets individuals with false accusations. This seems particularly heinous than just different perspectives and disagreements about things. A thought came to mind that I couldn’t let go of tonight:
With social media there has never been a time in history like ours where an ordinary person like yourself can at any unexpected moment be judged wrongly by others on the basis of the least minimal data potentially spreading to the largest amount of people with some of the gravest consequences.
Let me expand on that:
- Judged wrongly by others on the basis of the least minimal data: a screenshot, a clip, a sound byte.
- Spreading to the largest amount of people: contents about you going around social media or worst, going viral.
- Gravest consequences: employers firing you, clients no longer going to your business and your company dies, legal woes, cancel culture, suicide or others physically harming you.
Sobering. This should make us slow down how we use social media. Especially when we hear an individual or a group is described as being in the wrong. Remember Proverbs 18:17: “The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.” Be that second person. Sometimes that means we might be more slower to speak and share. It means we have to ask questions; and hard questions.
The Domain for Truth 
A very timely and important post Jim, highlighting the need for caution in using social media, Apart from some very obvious answers, social media has without doubt become one of the most dangerous threats to humanity in this 21st Century. Yes, it can be used well but, when it is used badly the effects are far reaching and disastrous.
Indeed. Glad you are using all the social media platforms for the Glory of God Alan!
Thanks brother! So very insightful! Sharing this!
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Reblogged this on clydeherrin.
Very well said brother Jim. The dangers and persecution is real. I have personally experience much of what you lay out. Being “doxed” is the worst when they come at you through your employer. Fortunately, mine support me but as a consultant, I may have others who don’t.
All of that said, here is the promise from Jesus “Blessed [fortunate] are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”
Blessings for a stunning day in paradise.
“Blessed are you….” Amen!!!
Nathan and I are in complete agreement with you (I read this out loud to him). Perilous times brother, perilous times. Praying for you and youth today. I should be around today, would I be allowed to join?!
Wow yes!!! That would be a joy sister!!! See you in 50 minutes????
Absolutely!!! I can’t wait to be with y’all!!!!
Well said Jim, thank you!
Thanks Bruce, I hope you have a blessed day today.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” This from Jeremiah came to mind immediately. Thank you for the warning to not share or speak until we have asked questions, hard questions. I especially try to think about the motives of those disseminating the information. Destabilizing populations with the power of social media, social “credits,” has a political end, but ultimately spiritual: to bow down to gods other than the one true God, blessed be His name.
pax,
dora
Amen to everything you said sister!!! Good point that this isn’t just political but spiritual!!! These are days we bring our discernment to social media…and as dangerous as social media is I think it is also an opportunity to speak truth and the Gospel! So grateful you are here online sister Dora, May we be light, amen??
I agree with Jimmy, I’m also glad you’re here online, Dora!!!
Thank you, Mandy. Same goes for you, my dear.
Amen, all praise and glory be to Christ Jesus, our Righteousness!
Dora, what you are saying is what I have been saying. Praise God for likeminded believers!
Amen! We are living the “makarios” life in Christ Jesus. May we be faithful to Him alone. (Just thought I’d throw some Greek in there, little sister!)
Love it!
Good reminder of Proverbs 18:17.
Thanks for reading this! This verse is becoming my verse of the year for 2021! I love it’s truth!!
Thanks for this speaks with wisdom.
Thank you for reading this! Hope your Weekend is going well so far sister??
This is an excellent post for our times, Pastor Jim. It seems like the mainstream media is just as bad as some of the stuff one finds in social media these days: lies, lies, and more lies. “News” is now mostly editorial. I have written editorials and continue to do so on my blog but I always try to differentiate between my opinion and fact.
The lies have become so blatant that one really needs to check sources before they believe anything coming from social media. Of course, the source is always a good indicator. Someone who has a good track record of seeking the truth are those I rely upon. And still, if one of them writes something that seems unusual, I will check it out if I am interested enough.
No one has all the facts. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Amen! Good comment. I personally think your posts as editorials gives more truths than some of the media these days! Your posts on Norway’s government and children were very memorable
Thank you, Pastor Jim. I am still tracking the Norwegian Child Welfare Services though I haven’t done a post on it for awhile. Sadly, things haven’t changed there. It seems that the powers that be continue to find ways to hide the evil dealings of the Barnevernet (Norway’s Child Welfare Services).
Indeed! Smear Campaigns are widespread using the most minimal information against someone. In reading two-three words, people are under the hideous delusion they know the author/writer, personally. It’s lame.
I might like to post the link to your article here into one of my posts about Smear Campaigns, if it’s okay. If not, I totally understand!
Thank you for this writing.
Feel free to share this post! That would be such an honor sister! Thanks for the double comments and yet this is a serious problem today. I’m sorry for the negative experience you had to endure on social media yourself with this problem! Hope you are healing since then???
Yes, yes! I am healing. The Lord has kept me safe! 🙏
I know I just commented, but I’m passionate about this subject because I’ve had many smear campaigns against me on YouTube and across social media avenues from narcissists’ advocates, “Flying Monkeys”, and bullies. I once got a terrible smear against me loaded with lies and fabrications because I was a bit more popular on a poetry site than the administrator. I left the site and deleted all my writings from off the platform. I couldn’t believe it.
Such important truths to remember! Thank-you Pastor, good post.
Have a good Sunday! 😀
God bless!!! Hope your Sunday will be blessed too with this church!! How long do you have to travel to get there???
Well, the church is about 10 miles away, but city miles are always ‘longer’.
Tomorrow is our potluck luncheon, its a special anniversary and new folks are invited. This is the oldest new church ever – the church was established125 years ago! Before the genocide, Armenian evangelicals founded this church downtown Manhattan. Still has the old organ pipes!Its gone through generations of change and now we see the Lord renewing and calling.
I’m excited, I hope my Kofta comes out good!
More than that, I pray that the Lord’s will and purposes come to fruition – and may we be a part of it!
Thank you Pastor!
Amen, Slim. Well said.
My first time in a while to sit down and read something on WordPress. Yes Social Media is problematic. Journalism 100 years ago was also the same in some ways. The “Muck-Racking” Journalism was the same as now but in print. I don’t see an overall solution to this problem. As individuals we need to be careful and use social media responsibly. We live in a fallen world and until Jesus returns, we can only expect things to get crazier
Good thoughts. I think you’re much more aware of what’s going on with the “cancel culture” and social media right now.
It’s been a crazy year and a half. How was your Saturday shift??
RE: shift
Thanks! Saturday AM the boss gave me the best worker in the dept. to help and he and I cranked right up to the final bell Sunday PM.
How was your Sunday?
Wow! Nice analysis of the enemy’s modern tactics, Jim!
Jim, thanks for sharing the wisdom of Proverbs 18:17. Cross-examination can be a beneficial tool, but objectivity should always be the path of this discussion. Opinions expressed in cross-examination should never carry the day.
Amen. Another thought provoking post.