Facebook. Isn’t it an interesting creation? What was meant for college age kids to socially connect on campus, has now taken the world by storm. Now anyone who has Internet access has the ability to log on and blog away about anything under the sun. People have even created pages for their pets, or books, or any other object that we hold in high regard. I initially started using facebook, because I was encouraged to take part in this social network of wonder. I was told it’s an amazing way to contact people who you haven’t seen in many years, or to keep in touch with people you see everyday. I could invite people to events, or alert the public to something special that maybe happening. In it’s raw form, this is all true. Facebook can be used as a wonderful tool to spread the word, from birthday parties, fashion shows, dances, theater productions, etc.

 

The list is endless of what I can use this tool of the Internet for. I can even create my very own Church of the Holy Cheese Sandwich, and probably have people flock to it. Problem of course is that I would have people who were pre grilled or post grilled sandwich lovers, and there would be a massive split of ideals. God has been really talking to me, and had me observe what I do on facebook, see what’s being posted, watch the responses of people who are, “The elite of Facebook”. Elite, funny word isn’t it? We use it more as a put down, then what it is really meant to be used for. I apologize for my previous comment. Honestly those that know Jesus Christ as their personal savior are the elite. We are the elect. Except we, as the human race view that term as though we are entitled to, well anything we desire. As long as I say…”God spoke to me concerning this”, that is my trump card. You cannot argue with me in the least little bit, or attempt to sway my already determined mind, because I said God told me and that’s it.

 

I don’t realize how deadly I can really be to other people. My words are daggers, which can cut through any armor we think we have readied ourselves with. Unless I put on the “Full armor of God” (Eph 6: 10-18), I am vulnerable. I have tried as I may, to put on the helmet of Salvation. To make sure that I have it securely fastened upon my mind. But, 9 times out of 10, it’s the one piece I forget the most. Therefore I allow all manner of attacks to come against my mind and spiritual man. Facebook has become a lethal means of disrupting the work of the Lord in our personal lives, all the while hiding behind a façade of humility and conviction. I may find it easier to throw out meaningless comments, with no clear meaning, except to an elect few, in order to garner support for my cause. Please support me in condemning my brothers and sisters in the hidden garb of a well trained assassin. I mean come on! That’s all I am really doing isn’t it? Throwing dagger after dagger of turmoil into someone else’s life, because I haven’t got the courage to actually approach a person, with an offense I might have taken. Or, hey here we go, I will put jaded messages up, cleverly disguised as “Look at the righteous stand I am taking” comments. In hopes that those I know, and know about the turmoil between myself and another person, will rally to my cause because in some way or manner they will see that my opinion is the just one. I take a stand when I am safely tucked away in the comfort of my keyboard and internet connection.

 

The Lord is very clear on how we are to deal with our brothers and sisters when we have issues with or against them, below is just few, but albeit clear examples;

 

Isaiah 43:26 “Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; (NKJV). Jesus also tells me the same in the following verses

 

Matthew 5:23-24 23 “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

 

Matthew 18:15-17 15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

 

 

So as you can see from these small examples from scripture, the Lord is not calling us to back bite, or gossip. Not to belittle or bemuse our brothers and sisters, but to come to them with our issues and problems. Do I really think that the Lord doesn’t know my intention when I am posting something on Facebook about another person? Am I that delusional to even consider that the Holy Spirit isn’t aware, or even watching as I sit at my keyboard slandering my brothers and sister with paragraphs of hidden meanings and veiled accusations as though I am actually getting away with something? Let me top that off by giving a little information to certain people, so they can see that I am in the right, and they post comments reaffirming my position, all the while I know in my own heart that I am tearing down the spirit of people I look in the eyes and say, “I am behind you, I promise covenant relationship with you”. When in reality, I have no intention whatsoever of fulfilling that promise. Why? Because in my own insecurity, I have not dealt with the own issues in my own life. So I project that out onto the pages of my facebook fantasy world, again thinking that God actually doesn’t know my intentions or my heart.

 

My family, my friends, my brothers and sisters in the Lord are supposed to be honored in my speech. To be exhorted in my everyday actions. I also know that I have issues in my own life, things I have to bring to the Lord. Hiding in the shadows of facebook isn’t the place I am supposed to be. I have to remember that when I cowardly hide behind the keyboard, posting away to my heart’s content knowing I am not acting in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, I am not only losing valuable ground in the spiritual battle, but also chipping away at a relationship that quite possible could be Lord ordained.

 

I have to keep my eyes focused on what the Lord has called my spirit to be. Not do, but be. How can I have any hopes that my relationship with Jesus will not be tainted unless I first reconcile with my brothers and sisters who I have offense with, or those I have taken offense with? Scripture is pretty clear when Peter ask the Lord in Matthew 18:21-22

 

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

 

I cannot allow myself to fall victim to one of the oldest tactics the enemy uses against me. My own pride and my own ego. He will just whisper certain things in my ear, a random word from a passing stranger finds its way into my thoughts. Perhaps someone I trust lets me down. There are all manner of things that can be used against me, things that will cause me to lash out in anger to hurt those who have offended me. I know that scripture tells us that my battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the power of this world that would try to derail me from the perfect plans that God has for my life.

 

Eph 6:12

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

I have to stand strong against the onslaught of the enemies attack against my family, my friends and ultimately against God’s authority in my life. Satan would love nothing more than I be at odds with those I hold dear to my heart, to keep my focus off God and concentrated on my own pettiness. I should always try to move in the Romans 12 mindset.

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

 

I ask all that use facebook as a means of communication to remember that it’s a forum that cannot convey emotion. It’s impossible to truly know the intentions of the text before your eyes. Truly knowing the Fathers love for me, means that I am willing to work out the issues I may have with my brother or sister so that nothing will hinder me from walking out the destiny that God has for my life.