Is social media killing us? Well, the quick answer is no. Social media itself is not killing us, but our love of social media may well be. Sadly, there are people who live for social media and have almost a “closet addiction” to it, and some are starting to lose grip with what is actually real and important.
The Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil, but it’s one of those Bible verses that people get mixed up. People will quote it as money itself is the root of all evil—and I think it’s because, if money was really awful, we could use a victimhood excuse to say that money made us do it—but it is our obsession with money and our love to get more that makes us fall into all kinds of sin.
Social media can be like that, but it’s also a tool. The fact that it is a tool in the sense that it can be used to reach a lost and dying world is a fantastic way to get the Gospel out.
Although, it can have the ability to suck you into a black hole, which only leads to envy, gossip, and anger.
Technology – Too Much of a Good Thing?
Let’s face it, technology is very enjoyable. I never want to go back to the days of Downton Abbey, nor do I believe that our tech advances are ushering in a dystopian Mad Max future. I actually think it’s somewhere in between the two. It’s a great time to be alive and leverage technology for Jesus, and what other time in world history could you become very proficient at something, where you don’t even have to get out of your pajamas? We can connect with people all over the world and share our thoughts, our goals, our ideas, and our feelings on every subject we can think of, with anyone at any time. We can also get feedback in real-time, like never before—whether we actually want it or not.
There are times when I love what we can do with technology, but many of us are starting to sense that somethings wrong, although, we can’t quite pinpoint what exactly it is. It’s a great time to be alive, but it can also feel fake sometimes. At times, always being virtually connected can leave us feeling completely disconnected and alone. How can it be that with so many different avenues to really connect, people are coming apart? “I enjoy feeling lonely, disconnected, and unloved,” said no one ever.
In a world divided by so many things, economics, political views, gender roles, there are a few foundational truths that we can all agree on. For example, love is life-giving, and authentic relationships matter greatly. Almost everyone would agree with that. The connection with those whom we love shapes everything from our self-confidence to even our grade point average. In a survey I recently read, over 20,000 adults from ages 18-64 were asked to rate the most important aspects of life. The top two answers were (1) friends and family, and (2) a happy relationship.
We’re More Disconnected with Instant Connection
So at the core of our being, we long for solid ties, love-filled relationships, and lifelong friendships. We all need each other. Our ability to connect those around us defines how we see ourselves, how we succeed in our work, and how we feel about life. The problem is that, in this age of instant connection, we’re somehow becoming more and more disconnected, which is crazy. It is becoming increasingly difficult for people to be themselves and reveal what’s really going on in their personal lives.
To a large degree, I think this is because the lines are very blurred between real and authentic and what’s politically correct, pre-approved, tolerant, and even what is and isn’t okay to say out loud or type online. Our ability to engage with those around us seems to be faltering as it’s becoming increasingly easy to confuse the notion of being “connected” with being in actual relationship.
As I write this, I can just imagine readers rolling their eyes and wondering why it’s such a big deal. “That’s okay, Pastor Rob. I’ll keep an eye out for the warning signs. Got it! But in a list of the top 100 problems facing people today, and our obsession with social media probably won’t even make the list.” If you feel that way, I have to warn you. The Bible says some interesting things about sin. It says that sin waits like a crouching lion to pounce on you. In other words, you don’t see it. You’re not anticipating it. You’re unaware of it, and you may not even consider it a threat in the least. But you’d be wrong.
In a list of the top 100 problems facing people today, and it would make my top three. I believe it’s that serious. God has been working on this issue with me for at last several years, teaching me how to help others break out of the gravitational pull of social media. So much so, I have written about it and will have more to say in my upcoming book, Overliked: Finding Direction, Courage, and Meaningful Relationships in a Society that Is Crippled By Social Media. I feel very passionately about helping people thrive and be the best, authentic version of themselves and believe this book can help many!
If you’d like to connect on this and other current issues, then check out my twice-weekly video series, “Ask P-RO”, on my YouTube channel. You can dive deeper with me every Tuesday and Friday. Or join us for our Sunday services at The Summit. If you are more of a face-to-face person, you can join us for one of our (very safe) in-person services, or you can meet us online at 9am or 11am MST.
Until we meet next, go out and be all in for Jesus Christ.
~Pastor Rob
Aka, “P-RO”