Transformed PART 2
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The below is the 2nd part of a panel discussion series held by our Youth Department in 2020.
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Using social media as a transformed child of God versus using social media as a conformed person. I also spoke on ethics and social media etiquette in general.
Social Media is the very image of who we are, it is the representation of us to the world.
Transformed person
A transformed person would be likely to use their social media platform in the following ways:
-encouragement: using our platform to build, motivate, inspire and encourage persons.
-give glory to God: in their talent (singing, art work, etc.) To exalt the name of Jesus.
- be social (holistic) - making the sacrifice to communicate with persons, encouragement, checking up on persons.
- show the change...with before and after pictures on facebook, evidence of the change God made in you.
- some friends will have to change: some friends tear down the progress you are making in Christ.
- ministry of reconciliation (woman at the well John 4:1-25) once you have been touched by Christ, once you have been converted. Your life is our ministry, so live like it is your best sermon.
Live to the honor and glory of God.
Matthew 5 and 2 Corinthians 2 14-16 (maketh manifest his savor of his knowledge by us in every place) are you manifesting his savor on your platform?
Social media does keep persons connected, we see this when persons from the assembly go overseas (this is good to help them have a sense of community and like-mindedness even when they are away.)
Love covers a multitude of sins - you try to stop gossip by not continuing the chain. So whether true or false you don't speak about it much less post about it on social media.
Conformed person
Thinks what the world thinks...worldy philosophy
-Social media becomes their bible. Instead of quoting scripture persons now tend to ascribe
quotes from individuals that they don't and may have completely different contexts.
- "If a dirt a dirt" (local saying, meaning "it is what it is") - when persons doesn't care what they post and who it affects. (We are ambassadors for Christ)
- don't swipe up culture currently on WhatsApp- persons post things that will cause a stir and then tell persons not to "swipe up", meaning not to message them about what they have posted.
As Children of God, we are all preachers...but what are we administering to others?
Social media ethics and etiquette
- Conscience before you post things- is this something I should be posting or sharing? Does this content reflect my Christlike nature?
- Shaming persons on social media (because we particularly don't know the person, we feel ok sharing the "joke/meme" to others) this is again a means of gossiping or idle jesting that is not only unnecessary but unbecoming of a Child of God.
- Ask permission (this point is especially in the case of children or persons unable to fend for themselves) who wants to become a meme??
-Be respectful to church and to your family with your online presence. (In the same manner we wouldn't post confidential work information on social media) The same respect is expected of issues that may arise within the assembly. This again being tied to love covering a multitude of sins.
- Relationship arguments - unfortunately some persons do not keep their differences at home but even tend to post misgivings about their partners on social media, inviting all interested into their covenant of marriage. Sometimes to their own detriment.
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We would be surprised to know that as Christians there are persons looking to see our lifestyle if it is truly what is expected of a Child of God.
The scriptures note that the married woman is able to save her husband through the very life that she lives which has been a testament to many women in church who were married to unbelievers.
I would encourage both young and old to use their respective platforms to the glory of God and be counted among the ambassadors in the Kingdom of God.
Transformed
Transformed
The below is the 1st part of a panel discussion series held by our Youth Department in 2020.
I spoke on the issue of being a transformed Child of God socially and emotionally.
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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To be transformed means to undergo a marked change (lexico.com)
Renewing of your mind is a continuous process, which is very necessary for a child of God. What you put in is what you will get out.
Social
Relating to society (the world at large) how you deal with your peers, associates, etc. (lexico.com)
There are a few things to look at regarding being socially renewed.
1) Tact
"Say It Like You Mean It" culture.
- this not considering how you make someone else feel once you are able to clear your chest. Ease how you are feeling or voice your opinion at all times. As a child of God tact comes in to play...empathy, compassion, forgiveness. All these have to be taken into consideration when dealing with someone. Learn to walk away from some situations.
With the social aspect we can take a look at the Beatitudes to help with how a transformed child of God would behave. Matthew 5.
5:7 "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Our point is not necessary at all times, we are to be peacemakers.
5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Whatever is inside of us will reflect on the outside. Whether in look or speech, let us reflect like our father in heaven.
2) Communicate
Hebrews 13:16 - "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
Share a word of encouragement, give a brother a call. This is something that we should be conscious about and do as often as we can.'
3) Discretion
Proverbs 2:11 "Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." –
I include this scripture as a good principle for young people. It's the world’s culture to be flashy and flaunt what you have. This doesn't mean that you don’t have nice things...you can have nice things it's just the mannerism.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Emotional
A part of a person’s character that consists of their feelings. Happiness, love, fear, hatred. Can be caused by a situation you are in or the people you are with.
These days there is a craze on being hyper sensitive. So many persons identify with being introverts and you would much rather spend all their time alone. This can fall under being a social and emotional issue.
When you are renewed you are positive thinking. You pray for peace, you forgive, you love and not hate…you pray constantly for the right. This helps you to free yourself mentally and release stress which can cause bodily harm.
1) Love and not hate
...love and forgive. Free yourself mentally and emotionally so you can move on.
We have to watch out as in the last days men will love themselves more than they love God …2 Timothy 3:2
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ---this is a hard saying but it is what the Lord requires of us. Sometimes things happen and we are quick to condemn but remember that life and death is in the power of the tongue so pray for the person instead of issuing curses. Pray for the best that we want to see in that person.
1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Seek to see the best in persons and this can help to cleanse us so we are not filled with hate or negative emotions. Another way of freeing a person mentally and emotionally.
2) Anxiety
Phillipians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. – Another way to say this is...be anxious for nothing.
Do not let worry overtake you, trust God.
Matthew 6:28-34 (Why take ye thought for tomorrow) God is in control
God is the best counselor, go before him and let him know everything that makes you feel uneasy.
We have a hope – If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Corinthians 15:19
3) Anger
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: (Ephesians 4:26)
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Persons can we allow the anger to build in them then it leads to retaliation/ revenge.
Some persons are not aware what they do when they trouble a child of God but you leave all to the Lord. You can be angry but you do not have to sin.
Sometimes we need deliverance from the spirit of anger, and so we pray to that end and also fast to remove those things. We should dwell in peace and pray for peace continually and that the light of God search within us and purge us so we are changed to what he wants us to be.
4)Fear
The Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23) - repeat as often as necessary
God encouraged Joshua to be of good courage, he knew that he would be taking him through a lot but he wanted Joshua to be courageous and trust in him. (Deuteronomy 31:6) He didn’t say that he can bypass any of what he would take him through but he wanted him to go through.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18 )
There is evil fear and then there is the fear of the Lord, which we should all seek to have.
God is well able, we will come up against things but they cannot be more than God