Social Media Sins with Scriptures as Proof

It is so true that people today are tempted and commit different kinds of sins than our forefathers. Some sins today did not exist when they lived. However, those sins are committed in this present time by almost everyone who has a telephone, computer, an e-mail address, and social media accounts. There are dozens of free platforms where people can post, share, comment on and like some information for free. It is so easy and convenient to commit social media sins today and most people are guilty of committing those sins.

Some of the sins are unintentional, but a lot of them are intentional. Look through the list below and see if you are committing any of those sins. You should evaluate what you are doing and end any social media sins immediately.

Pride tops the list of social media sins, and it is the one God hates the most. Social media is the ideal place for people to post what they have, what they have done and where they are going. It is a subtle way of bragging about one's self. That is the sin of pride that God hates because it takes the glory away from Him that He alone deserves.

When you post something online, ask yourself if you are boasting to bring attention to yourself. Don't stop posting, but do so to spread God’s goodness. Don't steal the spotlight from God, and don't even think about sharing it with Him either.

According to Jeremiah 9:23-24, "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.”

You can get everything you want by shopping online. Something is on sale every day. The internet follows your footprints and charts the items you search. Then there are constant pop-ups to remind you of those things you have searched for.

Then when you purchase those items, you post them on your social media accounts to let others know that you have bought something new to add to your collection. Some people are obsessed with buying and love to show others what they have bought. Why do people do that? What's the point?

“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)

Indulgence is giving into what your flesh wants without any thoughts about the consequences. It could be described as self-gratification when you give yourself permission to get whatever you want no matter what the cost is.

Examples of self-gratification include overspending, overeating, or overdoing anything to satisfy your flesh.

Is it really necessary to let people know how much you ate at Captain George's or Red Lobster? Someone who reads about your indulgence might not have had a decent meal in days and might not appreciate seeing photos of your feast. It says a lot about a person when most of his posts are about him and how much he satisfied his flesh.

The flesh is not to control our actions. The Holy Spirit helps us to wage war against our flesh to keep us from doing everything we want to do. Therefore, you are not a good witness to post things on social media that indicate you are being controlled by your flesh instead of the spirit. Here is a scripture against indulgence.

"For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.." (Galatians 5:17)

People can sit behind a keyboard and say all kind of evil things about another whether they are true or not. The internet is a place where mean people can slander and mock others without looking them directly in the eye.

Social media has made it so easy to harass, mock and criticize people without even having a reason to do so. That can change. If you have been using social media to tear people down, why not change and use it for good instead of for evil? Use your words to heal and strengthen instead of hurting others.

Here is a scripture to help you along your way.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." (Ephesians 4:31)

Some people deliberately pick useless fights on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The action is not limited to kids bullying other kids. Adults do it just as much as kids do it.

Some people start online arguments because it makes them feel important and wise. However, it is just the opposite. Instead, you are letting the whole world know how foolish you are. No argument can be settled online.

The best advice is to ignore anyone who wants to start an argument. Do not respond to the post, and if things get out of hand simple block the person so you will never hear from him or her online again. It is true that it takes two to argue. There is a scripture that addresses arguments.

“It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.” (Proverbs 20:3)

There’s nothing wrong with taking pictures to document a special event to share with others and to keep as a memento for yourself. Posting everything on social media can easily become a vehicle for your own vanity.

When you use your accounts to showcase yourself, it becomes a concern for your family and friends. There is a scripture that proves vanity is a sin.

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

Some people use social media to complain about everything. Some users never have anything positive to say. Every post is a negative one, and it is a display of their discontentment.

You may not have everything you want. You may not have the funds to travel to places you would like to go. It is not a good thing to impose your negative feelings onto others. There must be something in your life that is going right sometimes that causes you to have some bouts of contentment.

Paul was in prison when you wrote four of his books in the New Testament. He never complained when he wrote Ephesian, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Perhaps the following scripture from one of his prison book can help you when you are tempted to tell others how miserable you are.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)

There is so much hatred on social media that it seems like some people act like those they have never heard of the golden rule that states, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (Matthew 7:12). Instead, they switch it around and say, "Let me do it to others before they do it to me."

Those who profess to be disciples of Christ should act like it even when they are posting on social media. There is no need to hate people whether you know them or not. Here is a scripture for that.

“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)

Social media has made it so easy for people to become jealous of others without even knowing the people they are jealous of. When some people see what others have, what they have done or where they have been, they try to top it whether it is true or not.

Some people are so full of jealousy that they hate to see others having a better life than they have. They begin to despise the goodness of others because they believe they are missing out on something. Here is a scripture for that.

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3:16)

10 Online Sins