What would Jesus post?

I think we can all agree that social media has morphed into something potentially more negative than what the creators had originally intended. Our mental health, our identity, our relationships, our time management, our work, our peace of mind, our morals, and in general our quality of life, are all being challenged by our intake and use of social media. But, it’s a tool like any other tool and we can and should learn how to make it work for us instead of against us.

I think back to My Space. That was my first go-round with social media. I remember thinking, “this is so cool!” (I’m really aging myself here!) I was mesmerized by the ability to have my own unique space on the World Wide Web. I got to claim some cyberspace realty of my own and make it all about me. I was going to show the world who Amy was by sharing my music likes, my background designs, pictures and whatever else I felt like “sharing” with anyone and everyone who would be my new virtual pen pal. It wasn’t as fun as I thought it was going to be but that’s because it was primitive, right?

Then we turned to Facebook and it felt like a breath of fresh air in our new conquest toward social media endeavors. We had so many more options and abilities and so we began our journey anew. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, BeReal…little did we know that we would be sucked into something that would grow to be so important and so central to our daily lives. Virtually every business uses social media for advertising now. Even governments have “pages” on social media sites. Gone are the white and yellow pages. Or, maybe they are still here; I just wouldn’t even know where to find one! Instead of exchanging phone numbers or business cards, people scan QR codes and get your @’s.

It is absolutely astounding how far we have come in the digital age even since I was a kid raised in the 80’s and 90’s.

Over the years I have learned a few good online practices for safety. These are just a few and not all inclusive but I generally:

Keep my friends list to people I actually know in real life, don’t post photos of myself or family that I would regret or have used against me, I tweak my security and privacy settings to be more strict and protect me and my family against spam, internet trolls, or online predators and so on. Oh! and just a word of advice, don’t click on ads unless you want to see more ads and then be contacted by said ads. I personally liked it better when there were no ads!

But what about online ettiquette and content? What kinds of stuff should I post about? What would be a good filter to put my content through to make sure that I am in line with God’s commands for holy living?

That’s the real question. So, I was reminded of the phrase that we used to wear on our threaded friendship bracelets and t-shirts as a Christian teenager in the 90’s. WWJD? This acronym stands for: What Would Jesus Do? That’s the filter question of all questions for any Christian at the crossroads of any important decision right? What would Jesus do? I think this question is perfectly applicable to our topic today.

Now, do I think Jesus would have had a Facebook page? I don’t know. I have friends who don’t and say their reasons are to avoid the drama, the addiction of it, the unrealistic highlight reals of everyones best day that just serve to tempt us to believe we are less than…I guess, within this mindset, perhaps Jesus would have avoided it too had he lived in our modern times. But, I also know that social media can be used for good. I often post scriptures, devotionals, encouraging words, greetings, photos of my kids for grandparents to see, prayer requests, church sermons, and I use it for my business in a variety of ways too, etc… So, in that light, maybe Jesus would have had a page on social media. If you see it as a way to influence others with the love and light of Christ, than perhaps it’s not all that bad. Again, it’s a tool and so how you are going to relate to it is the more important thing to consider.

Here is my WWJD or WWJP (What would Jesus post) filter:

• Is it true?

• Is it noble?

• Is it right?

• Is it pure?

• Is it lovely?

• Is it admirable?

• Is it praiseworthy?

This list comes to us from Philippians 4:8 in the NIV translation of the Bible. It’s not a list specifically for social media posts, but it can be right? Why not! I use this as a filter for what I listen to, what I watch and what I read, I might as well use it as a template of sorts for what I post.

Here are some additional don’t’s that I think Jesus would have us steer clear of:

1. Don’t use social media to vent your complaints about people in hopes that they will read it and know it’s for them. That’s called being passive aggressive. It’s not an effective way to solve relationship difficulties.

2. Don’t gossip about others in real life and in social media. (Gossip is talking about someone else’s private life that often involve details that are not confirmed as being true.)

3. Don’t be offensive in your manner of speech. No hate speech, no cuss words or anything vulgar and inappropriate.

4. Don’t spread false information. Check your facts before posting or reposting.

5. If you aren’t giving God a part of your day to pray and allow Him to speak into your life, then you don’t have time to be on social media. Don’t let it mess with your priorities and become addicted and imbalanced.

6. Don’t mindlessly scroll. Be intentional. Set a timer if you need to.

7. Don’t judge yourself based on how many likes you get or how many friends/followers you have. Don’t play the comparison game. At the end of the day, you have an audience of One. Your identity is found in Christ alone.

8. Don’t build inappropriate relationships with people online. It can be a breeding ground for affairs to start or things to quickly go sideways getting you into a heap of trouble.

9. Don’t believe everything you see, hear and read on social media. Satan roams about seeking whom he may devour and I think the internet is one of his playgrounds. Be watchful and test everything.

10. Don’t use social media as a sole means of social interaction. People need people. In real life. In real community and in tangible ways. It’s still ok to text, email and call people. Maybe even use snail mail to send a note or card. But, if your only way of connecting with others is by social media or texting though, you will become very lonely and isolated. Get out there and do life with others.

Remember, ask yourself before you post, WWJP? Take it through a filter. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and keep social media in its rightful place as just a communication tool in your life, it is not ‘The Source’ for all things pertaining to it. That is God’s Word. Keep the right perspective and you’ll be just fine.