I must confess I don't often like how I feel after checking facebook, pinterest, or other social media; it's like awkward junior high, minus the raging hormones.
Right now I am going through Tim Keller's "Fruit of the Spirit" Bible study with several women; last week's lesson focused on walking by the spirit, looking at the following passage:
"If we live by the Spirit, let us
also keep in step with the Spirit. Let
us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another" (Galatians 5: 25-26).
As we were discussing, it occurred to me that much of social media plays on these two forms of conceit: provoking and envying.
Provoking scenario: I enjoy a good life with many blessings from the Lord, so I post about it to boost my pride (because clearly I helped God in providing them), show off my beautiful, happy-without-problems family, and often provoke others in the process. I am amazing, mind you.
Envying scenario: I feel dissatisfied with my life and struggle with discontentment, so I read about the lives of others to escape and feel like mine isn't quite up to snuff; the posts (or pictures) feed my bitterness and sense of injustice that the Lord gave me a "bad lot in life." I am a victim.
I'm guilty as charged, multiple counts of both forms.
It's easier to associate conceit with provocation; the connection is much more blatant, and the offenders are easily identifiable; however, envy is a silent conceited killer. It lurks deep in the heart, cloaks itself as Humility, and leads to feeling beaten down, not good enough: Satan has his foothold.
Keeping in step with the Spirit should serve as a "heart check" button for Christians using social media. Christ's sacrifice humbles us to recognize our need and secures us in fulfilling our every need. Yeah, we have an app for that: the gospel.
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