M-G: 3.13.18 // Do you have a Facelook account

From the outset, let me say that I am not trying to be insensitive to the endless wants or needs of the saints in this article. But I am calling out believers who have this penchant for fleeing to Facebook every time there is a hiccup or a bump in the road and crying out over the internet about this or that missing in their life rather than living a historic faith. Here is the only entitlement no one seems to want to embrace (2 Tim 3:12)!

Whenever believers publicize to the world they have a want or need, by so doing, there are possible negative side effects, depending on what and how something was made known. It speaks volumes about your Jesus and your own faith, or the lack thereof, to the world. I fully realize that I will probably be lambasted over this abbreviated article, but I have never refrained from speaking the truth in love though I am quite sure that “loving” is not how I will be perceived. More than likely, I will be looked upon as self-righteous; I'm guessing. 

As believers, we must be diligent in walking circumspectly and not give the enemy any ammo or the wrong impressions of God through our talk and walk. This happens quite frequently whenever believers get on Facebook and announce that they have a want or need of this or that that makes God out to be mean-spirited by withholding something perceived as needed in life. It is problematic at the very least. It projects a mischaracterization of God from different facets that conflict with the teaching of Scripture. Let me give a few examples, but there are more.

One, it leads the reader into thinking Jesus is unaware or doesn't care about your situation.

Two, God's sufficiency is in question.

Three, God is unable to provide for your needs.

Four, prayer is obviously not working for you.

Five, it is easier to guilt-trip others than waiting on Jesus.

Six, your spirituality is shallow.

Seven, it promotes less effort resorting to Facebook over prayer.

I am not saying God forbids using Facebook for His glory, but I am suggesting that we need to be careful of appearing always needy and complaining about being in short supply of this or that to the world. Where's the deep-seated joy in knowing Jesus we boast of? I realize people get on Facebook for other reasons, sharing among family and friends, updating life events, promoting causes, and getting the word out on something, usually gossip... 

This article, however, is more directed at believers with a lifestyle that indicates a rearranging of the truth of Scripture to fit their lifestyle and their own narrative of spirituality, diminishing their testimony for God in the process. Ever heard of these verses,

“But you, when you pray, go to Facebook, and your Father will reward you” (cf. Mt 6:6), or “Facebook, give us our daily bread” (cf. Mt 6:11)?

Oh, I get it! You pray to Jesus daily and you love and trust Him completely to use Facebook to meet your every want and need! Asking for prayer is your call, but you should get back to everyone you asked for investing their time to help you spiritually and update them on how God answered the prayers of all involved. Getting back on answered prayers encourages others to pray more! Just remember that every time you get on Facebook about a want or need, you are making faith statements whether you intended it or not. Just make sure your requests bring glory to God (1 Cor 10:31).

Going to Facebook is public in nature, and there is no humility in doing so. It is shameful when Christianity is being paraded in a person’s life and to see that same person availing themselves of Facebook to meet some need they may have because it is obvious Jesus isn’t meeting it according to their time schedule. People who do not know Jesus go to Facebook for the same reason, to get something for nothing. Besides, you have not because you asked not Facebook, right? Then there is the entitlement crowd, but that is another annoyance.

Theoretically speaking, I wouldn't doubt that there is statistically a greater possibility that you are going to get a quicker response time rather than praying and waiting for God to respond, which is why people continue to resort to Facebook rather than prayer. What is probably delaying Divine response is the lack of faith or asking out of the will of God. The truth is that God is not going to bless a believer who attempts to play both God and Facebook to meet some want or need in their life. Listen to the words of Jesus,

(Mat 6:6) But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly… (Mat 6:11) Give us this day our daily bread.

The Father is the Source, not Facebook. This was Jesus, laying out the pattern of prayer on the Mount for us! Why don’t Christians simply be honest and say,

“Jesus isn’t meeting my needs; so, I am turning to my followers to let them know what my wants or needs are!” You may be successful in your Facebook overtures, but it is not because of faith, but flesh.

Faith is being replaced by Facebook today because it cuts to the chase. Over time, a person of this mindset defaults to Facebook rather than God, hoping “God touches some follower” in meeting their want or need via Facebook! It is analogous to believers on the flipside who have the monetary means and is always trusting in the checkbook rather than the Christ, telling others, “Live by faith, brother; God is good.”

I really don’t think believers with this outlook really care who meets their requests as long as it is met – “Isn’t Jesus good!” Facebook doesn’t require faith, but Jesus does. If you go around Him and His way of doing things every time there is a delay, it is nothing more than a useless religion, and we see where that got the Pharisees and Sadducees. Facebook is a useful tool but something that can be misused by believers.

There is so much that could be said on this matter. I think that I’ve said enough to be condemned already as heartless by the religious crowd. Nonetheless, believers advertising their needs on Facebook has been one of those things that have irked me to no end about people claiming to love and serve Jesus while living a so-called life of faith and then getting on Facebook and whining, as if a victim of circumstances, no less! Perhaps, God is using those circumstances to shape or mold this person into Christlikeness, and all the Facebook prayers in the world are not going to change God's mind?

Again, going to Facebook to circumvent God is not an act of faith but an open and public act of rebellion and a failure to obey godly principles. Listen, every one of us needs to look more into the face of Jesus rather than looking for what is in His hand or someone else's. Open up a Facelook account today and plan to be amazed at the superiority of Facelook over Facebook! <><