The One-Week Social Media Challenge

We are just over a week from Christmas, so this is a good time to issue a one-week challenge. Further, this is a time of year where people are a bit more focused on positive things, so maybe today’s challenge can be accepted and enjoyed.

I see what seems to be a growing trend on social media that really bothers me. To be honest, I used to take part in it–and still fight the temptation to on a very regular basis–but I make myself stop before I hit “send” or “like” or “retweet” or whatever.

It is the practice of sharing on social media things that a person knows are going to be hot-button issues and that only add to the argument. These can come in a variety of forms, but I want to talk about those areas that are not religious in nature; rather, they can pull people away from our main goal, which should be to draw people closer to God, His Word, and His people. While there are a lot of these areas, I want to talk about two which many Christians take part in regularly, but that can divide people. In particular, I am talking about the worlds of politics and sports. Today, I want to talk about those two areas, then give a one-week challenge for every Christian to take on social media.

Politics

Every day, as I scroll through my Facebook feed or Twitter timeline, I see Christians who post link after link about this politician or that party. Honestly, I sometimes wonder if these people ever leave their computer screens, or even if they ever switch off of political websites.

Is there anything wrong with politics? Not at its most basic level. In fact, I enjoy keeping up with politics to a point. I am grateful for men and women who are in office who are Christians and are fighting to uphold Biblical values.

But if I use social media to blast and defame one party or one politician over and over again, how can that be construed as having a Christian attitude? I may disagree–even strongly–with someone in office (locally, state-wide, or national), but that does not mean I have to constantly be spreading things about that person on social media.

Further, when it comes to political parties, some Christians need to be reminded of one very important fact. God is not a Republican, nor is God a Democrat. God is God, and supporting one party as if it is “God’s party” is making an idol out of a donkey or an elephant. It may not be a golden calf, but it’s in the same conversation.

Christians need to consider political matters, but they need to think about how their constant “linking” and sharing looks to others. Is it drawing them nearer to the cross of Christ? Shouldn’t that be our goal? Ask yourself: how much of my social media influence is used to run down politicians or to build up a certain party, versus how much I use it to try to encourage people to follow Jesus?

Sports

Here is where I struggle even more. I love sports, and I have favorite sport’s teams that I root for. Though I don’t make the time to watch as many games as I used to, I still enjoy it. I like pulling for “my” teams and, yes, it’s kind of fun to see certain other teams lose at times.

That said, I have stopped talking about sports on social media. Admittedly, I have broken my own “rule” a time or two, and I wished I hadn’t. Thankfully, I believe since April, I have not posted a single thing on social media about any one particular team. I do not say this to brag; I say it because I have issued this challenge to myself first, because I think it is important to my influence as a follower of Christ.

Why? Because people are truly passionate about sports, and if I post “for” one team or “against” another, it could be a barrier to reaching them with the Gospel.

Now, should it be that way? Of course not. But if we are honest, we must admit, it is that way.

Again, as I scroll through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, I see a constant stream of sports posts. Many of them are light-hearted, but many are not. Some who claim to be Christians take shots at opposing teams, coaches, and players that are nothing short of cruel. Then they say, “Well, it’s all in good fun. Can’t people take a joke?”

Some can’t, and I don’t want that to keep me from reaching them with the Gospel.

Again, I need to ask myself, am I trying to win people to my team, or to my Lord?

The Seven Day Social Media Challenge

By now, you can probably figure out what the one-week social media challenge is. Just in case you haven’t figured it out yet, though, here it is, written in a form for you to say or even write out as a pledge:

For seven days, I will not, on social media, share or like any political post or sports-related post that might be considered divisive. Further, for the next seven days, I will only post things on social media that are encouraging, uplifting, and that try to bring people closer to God, to their families, and to their fellow man.

Can you take that challenge?

Will you take that challenge?

Before you press “like” or “retweet” or “share,” think of the challenge. Are you trying to win people to your party? Your politician? Your team?

Or Christ?

Take the challenge. At the end of one week, just see if you aren’t filled with more joy. Just see if you aren’t seeing people in a better and more positive light. Just see if you aren’t looking for more opportunities to teach others about the Lord and encourage folks to live lives of faith.

We have been given a gift by living in the era of social media and mass communication. Each of us has an opportunity to use this gift to God’s glory, or to spread divisiveness. We are stewards of this gift, and “it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:2, ESV).

Now in this way those who are trusted with something valuable must show they are worthy of that trust. (1 Corinthians 4:2, NCV)

—————————————-

To Receive Every Post via Email for Free, Click Here

AUTHOR: Adam Faughn