The Evil that is Facebook

      I am too often drawn like a moth to the flame of the evil that is Facebook. I scroll through looking at the train wreak  I cannot help it. I am drawn to the wreckage, perhaps in some vain attempt  to take me out of my self-centeredness and empathize with someone else’s suffering and be grateful for what I have.  Is it all evil? Hardly, but the human nature that is in me tends to see wrong before I see the good. That said, I came across something that I have seen many times in the past, not the exact but  of the same nature.  It makes me angry when I see it, and yes I am very well aware that all I have to do is scroll past it. Freedom  to post freedom of speech and all that. I cannot count the times that I scroll  past and not say what it is I feel about it. To not take a stand, not making use of  my freedom of speech. To say nothing in a way  is to say it is okay.  In doing so am I allowing that small bit of evil to creep in and plant a seed. When I do this, “ Turning a blind eye,” I am letting that seed to start  a decomposing affect upon my soul. Small pieces start to decay and die, and when I continue with this my soul dies. That is not what I  have been created for. I am created as child of God to be of service, and by not using the voice that has been given to me  by my God I am failing at what God has created my for. So I am using my voice by typed words.

     What I came across this morning was something about domestic violence. I have seen things come across with child abuse and other such things. With comments saying  they need to be beaten and other such acts of violence.  My first thought is Wow!  For a so called civilized world that we clam to be we sure revert to a Cane and Able mentality. Some may think that it easy for me to sit behind the protection of my computer.  That I do not know what it is like to be on the other side, to be the victim. Not true, been there done that, seen it firsthand.  I have said, and I have heard it, violence begets violence. Ignorance begets ignorance. The list goes on.  But I know that there is another way, been lost by many for some never learned.  Prayer, empathy, and compassion. Think on it, somewhere in the life of those people somehow things got twisted someone failed them and the cycle goes on. It is the enemy’s way. That is what Satan does.  Sometimes all it takes is a little something for someone to turn away form God.  I can also say this because once again, been there done that.   I am not saying don’t be angry. I am saying don’t stay in your anger do not let someone else’s sin become your own. “Ephesians 4:26- (NKJV) 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”

       We as Christians are commanded to pray. We are to be Christ like, which is to have the mind of Christ. Luke 19:10 (NKJV)” 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (That is every one of us) Matthew 9:37-38 (NKJV) ³⁷ Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.³⁸ Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Once again that is directed at us) Christ words to Saul( if you do not  know Saul was a big hater of Christians) In Acts 26:18 (KJV)  “ To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” We are to Pray for ALL  1 Timothy 2:1-6 (NKJV)”2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

     Perhaps some of the issue is with this Facebook god that  is plastered throughout  Facebook.  For example is see  such things as IF you believe in God  share and God well give you a miracle tomorrow. This is not God. This is something that is misguided and wrong regardless of the good intent behind the words. Yet such things as this are all over Facebook.  I have many times thought about leaving Facebook behind, don’t look back, keep on moving.  However, I come up with the reasoning that the only way I can keep in touch with certain people in my life is to stay on Facebook. Crazy thing is I have a phone. It works. Does text messaging, can make and receive phone calls, can even send and receive photos. I even have email, so why do I keep my Facebook? Simple, to remind myself of the need to pray to have empathy for those that are in need.  To share in the joy and the grace of God. To remember that it is not about me. If I can share but one verse on prayer and touch but one life than I have done right by my God.   With the ever changing world with its social media, fear seeking news reporting and other things of that nature it is no wonder that We  as Christians have strayed so far from the flock that we have gathered into something that is no longer recognizable what Christ had intended for us to become.

     My mother hates Facebook; her reasoning is that she does not want to see personal posts about baby diapers. I shake my head at this line of reasoning. I have not addressed what lies behind this. I feel that there is more to this than what she has said. Never the less it is her feelings on the subject. I have not dug deeper into her reasoning “Let sleeping dogs lie.” But I realize that she is missing something, ever how minor it  may be, she is missing something. Perhaps her reasoning is self-preservation from all that is evil in Facebook.  Truly the evil lies in what we make it.  Not just in Facebook but all forms of media.  Facebook has it issues so does life. The end result is what we allow it to make of us. I chose to take what is wrong and do what I can for better service unto Christ. I must guard myself not to be consumed by Facebook and the time spent on it. I must spend the time in a constant renewing of my relationship with my Abba Father.  So that what little I do can become something greater for His kingdom and the glory of God. I will keep Facebook. I will continue to cry, laugh, be angry have empathy and above all things I will continue to pray and love and follow  the example of my God.