In the age we live in we are faced with questions that no other age has been faced with. As technology increases at a faster and faster pace so do the temptations that come with it.
On one hand gambling, pornography, worldly music, movies, and every type of filth imaginable are easier to access than they have ever been.
On the other hand the text and audio of the Bible and the Message are more accessible and easier to search than ever before. Keeping in contact with believers from around the world is easier and less expensive than ever before.
Some claim that all social media is ‘unedifying’, and a ‘sin’. Some have even preached that the Internet in general is “the mark of the beast”. While I doubt most who genuinely feel this way will ever read this blog post, it does raise questions about what is right and wrong.
“If there’s a question in your mind, there’s got to be an answer somewhere, to answer back to that question. My prayer, is, God let you see that question answered during this time.”
~Rev. William Marrion Branham
65-0217 – “A Man Running From The Presence Of The Lord”
“Now, if it is a Bible question, then it should have a Bible answer. It should not be able to come from a group of man, from any certain fellowship, or from some educator, or from some denomination. It should come straight from the Scripture, where God’s meeting place is, of worship.”
~ Rev. William Marrion Branham
65-0220 – “God’s Chosen Place Of Worship”
“The first question tonight:
Q. Brother Branham, I think television is a curse to the world. What do you think about it?
Well, ever who wrote it, I’m going to agree with you. They have made it a curse to the world. It could be a blessing to the world, but they’ve made it a curse. Anything like that, my dear people, is what you look at yourself. If television is a curse, then the newspaper is a curse, then the radio is a curse, and many time the telephone is. See, see, see, see? It’s what you make out of it.”
~ Rev. William Marrion Branham
59-1219 – “Questions And Answers On The Holy Ghost”
The Apostle Paul said, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” ~ I Corinthians 10:23
Some things that are not a sin for one person could lead to sin for another. Restaurants that one believer may frequent and enjoy without a second thought could be an area of temptation to another who is struggling with memories of alcohol or cigarette addictions.
Dozens of similar examples could be provided that might be a stumbling block to one person that would never be a problem or even a question for someone else.
Can we promote the Internet or social media in general? No.
Can they be used for a good thing? Yes.
The same keyboard, Internet connection, etc that could be used to cheat on your spouse or spend your life savings in gambling debts could be used instead to listen to a sermon, fellowship with believers from around the world, or share quotes and Scriptures to witness and encourage.
The motto from millions of gun owners is that guns do not kill people, but rather the people who use them inappropriately. The same applies to this line of thinking: It is not the keyboard, the Internet connection, or even the social media site that forces people to do the wrong thing; it is what the individual user does with it.
Should you proceed with caution? Absolutely.
Should you get away from whatever form of media is becoming a stumbling block or an addiction that steals your time away from God and your family until you can become a mature enough Christian to know how to use it correctly? Most Definitely.
The problem is that most are either so liberal that they run headlong into anything that comes along, or are so legalistic that they put a stamp of ‘sin’ on everything. It’s hard to group an entire medium into a blanket statement of ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. That’s why God sent us the Holy Spirit; to lead us and guide us as to whether we should or should not do something, and whether or not it is a blessing or a cursing to us.
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” ~ St. John 16:13
Recent studies show that too much social media is a cause of depression, and that social media was connected to one out of three divorces in the UK. Just like the television, or the Internet, social media is used for bad more often than not.
I left social media personally because it was a time-waster, and it had become too depressing to see so many of my friends publicly falling into sin. If you are on social media I would recommend extreme caution on the amount of time, types of conversation and content you are participating in.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~ Phillipians 4:8
May God continue to lead you and guide you to the Truth,
~ Bro. Nathan Bryant
2 responses to “Is Facebook wrong?”
Very good Bro Nathan I agree totally. God Bless you
Excellent post!