Social Media Sins
Sin is sin no matter when it is committed. Sin is sin no matter how it is committed. Sin is sin no matter who commits it. Sin is sin no matter what method is used. However, there are sins committed today that did not exist when our forefathers lived.
Sins are committed today by almost everyone who has a computer, an e-mail address, and social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Tumblr, Reddit, Pinterest, and dozens of other platforms where people can post and share information for free. The devil makes it easy for people to commit sin.
Disclaimer
We are never far from information, or being able to contact loved ones – as well as games and other entertainment.
This article is not to condemn online use because it is beneficial when used in the right way. This article is to show how easy sin can creep in and take over an online user’s life and it is accepted because people don’t see it as sin.
Take a look at the list before. If you do not see yourself doing any of the things listed, then good for you. Then you do have to go to confession. However, it is almost a given that people will see themselves in some of the situations listed below. Then repentance is needed.
Therefore, the things described as sin are not listed in any particular order. After all, sin is sin and one is not worse than the others.
Envy and Jealousy
Envy makes people want what they see on Pinterest. The photos remind them of the things they don’t have that they become blind to what they do have. They become jealous of what the person has who posted the photos.
Some people go so far as those who have better things than they have. Jealousy cloud their view to keep them from seeing God working in their own lives.
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3:16)
False Prophets
There are more people on social media preaching and teaching without having read the Bible or taken a theology course in seminary. They can tell you what to do, when to do it, and how to do it in the name of the Lord. Then in their next post, they are use every vile word they can think of.
"Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing" (James 3:10)
Gluttony
Gluttony is seen all over Instagram and Pinterest when people post pictures of what they have or what they want to have. This includes big plates of food at exclusive restaurants and the latest fashions.
Greed
Greed is evident when people see what others are posting and they want it too whether they need it or not.
Hatred
The internet is the place where people can slander and mock people anonymously. They think they have the freedom to use the keyword as their weapon to spew hatred toward someone they don't even know or will never see in person.
Some people take it upon themselves to verbally tear people down without any good reason. Body shaming is one way to rip people apart. Perhaps their mothers never taught them that if they have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all.
“Hating” can also take the form of talking about controversial subjects. Some people express hatred toward people based on their political views and their religious affiliations.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44)
If you really want to make an impact online, show love even toward those who hate you.
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)
Hypocrisy
There is a lot of hypocrisy online because people are living two different lives. One is the real one, and the other one is their online persona. Being a hypocrite is exactly what the Pharisees were guilty during the time they confronted Jesus.
Some people put on a mask when posting on social media, and they think it is acceptable.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23:25)
Lust
Most people have never thought of the seven deadly sins corresponding to social media, but they do. Not only do the seven deadly sins correspond to social media, but other sins are associated with social media as well.
Lust is one of those sins on the dating apps such as Tinder. People see a picture and lust after the person in the picture. Then they swipe to confirm they want to date the person.
Materialism
People are so focused on material things that they have forgotten what is important in their lives.
The internet is not only a convenient way of getting what you what by ordering it one day and having it delivered to your house the next day. Then there come the pictures of the items posted on social media. That's because material things have become people's gods.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
Oversharing
Oversharing and giving too much information is not a sin, but it is so unwise. Your friends or followers don’t need to know all the gruesome details about your medical procedure or about your recent break-up.
Whining about how bad your life is not something people all over the world needs to know. If you wouldn’t share personal information with strangers offline, then don’t share it with strangers online.
Once a young adult posted that she wasn't wearing underwear on a certain day at work. Did her boss need to know that? Did her parents need to know? What about her young children? And worse of all, what about the rapists out there who could have been waiting for her at her car when she got off from work? She made it easy for them by telling them that. There is such a thing as TMI, which means "too much information."
Pride
Pride is the most obvious sin on social media. People post pictures to brag about what they have to impress people. They are saying indirectly on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram that they are better than others just because they have a new house, car, or a piece of expensive jewelry.
Social media is the ideal place to tell everybody about their accomplishments. When you post something online, ask yourself if you are bringing unnecessary attention to yourself or if you are hoping to elicit comments that feed your ego.
Adding on to someone else's post to make yourself look good is pride. It is saying to the person who posts it that you know more about the topic. It is rude to do that. So, stop it!
“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Quarreling
Some people get on Twitter and Facebook for no other reason than to pick a fight. Winning an online argument might make them feel wise, but the Bible says they might be broadcasting their own foolishness.
Wise people don't argue online. Therefore, online arguments are useless because all the wise voices are the ones refraining from getting involved. In other words, 90 percent of the participants are most likely fools. Online debates are almost never profitable, and they are almost never appropriate.
“It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.” (Proverbs 20:3)
Vainglory
Vainglory is when a person boasts of achievements or accomplishments. It is saying look at the trip I took or the promotion I got.
Social media seems to be the ideal place for people to brag and boast about what they have. What is the motivation behind posting serval photos of the flat screen television you just bought? What are they really saying when they do that?
Vanity
Vanity is an unrestrained belief in one’s own attractiveness. Vanity creeps in when people continue to post photos of themselves losing weight, having a new outfit or hairstyle. This is more evident when a person likes his or her own profile picture.
Selfies are everywhere. People take selfies in their bathroom, in their cars, at the gym, at work and every place else. There’s nothing wrong with taking a nice picture of yourself once in a while, but social media has become an outlet for a person's own vanity. Instead of using social media to post a collection of photos, use it to showcase God’s love, and not yourself.
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
Wrath
Wrath is expressed rage for what others have posted. They go into a rage over something that might not even be true.
They lash out at the person by deliberately taking the opposing view. They try to override what someone else has posted just to make themselves appear more knowledgeable.
