Many of us are on social media. We post thoughts and share ideas. Some write articles. Some describe experiences. We post pictures of people and places. We talk about ourselves and we post pictures of ourselves. You may use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or another platform. Regardless of the platform, it would be helpful if we would occasionally ask:
Why do I post what I post? What does this mean?
Why would I post this picture? For example: someone may post a picture of themselves on Instagram or Facebook. Is this really the picture that I want those who are my “friends” or who “follow” me to see? It might be helpful to occasionally overview our list of friends and followers and to remember who may be seeing what I post. In addition, once a picture is online and has a digital imprint, others may see this whom I never considered when originally posting this.
Does this picture really represent who I am? (If I am a Christ-follower, does this picture best represent who I am in Christ?)
- Does this picture basically invite others to focus their attention on my body?
- Does this picture invite others to focus on how wealthy I am?
- Does this picture invite others to focus on how important I perceive myself to be?
Is this a picture that I really want my children to see? Is this a picture who I would want the people at my place of employment to see? Does this picture in any way make it difficult for another to see the place of Jesus Christ in my life? Why do I post what I post?
Why would I make this comment? Some people make a lot of comments online. Sometimes they comment through a tweet or a quick Facebook post. Others comment on what others have said. Am I thinking before I post a comment?
When I make comments that are insulting and demeaning, what does this say? What does it say when I seem to sneer at others and act as if I am the only one who is thinking clearly? What do my comments say about what is really important to me? Am I using a tone with others through social media that I would not use when face to face with another person?
In this culture, outrage seems to be the prevailing tone on social media. Everyone seems to be outraged about something. Outrage is not necessarily a negative. However, I do want to be thoughtful. Is my outrage really about something important to God? Is my outrage expressed in a way that reflects well on who I am in Christ? How do I respond to the outrage of others?
No doubt there are other important questions to consider. I do think it would be helpful for us to occasionally think through why we do what we do. These posts do reveal something about ourselves. It might be good to consider what we are revealing.