World Wide Web: The Truth of You

The Internet is the information highway that has many functions. It is a place to share your life with family that is not living near you and a way to reconnect. Email is a faster way of getting out news to the people who need to know. It is a way to save trees by paying bills, sending letters, cards, research, and sharing vacation photos. A way for those who cannot leave the home to order necessary items. With all the good the Internet brings it also allows for sinfulness and evil purposes. The internet has caused more people to allow sin into their lives, to “be someone they are not” (that is a lie) in real life. Herein lies the problem. The WWW is the best tool for Satan to entrap us and keep us from God.      

Distractions

The Internet is the place where we are inundated with distractions. Yes it is a place for catching up on the latest news about Aunt Betty’s ulcer but at the same time it keeps us from spending time with the people we love physically. There are more times where we have some kind of electronic device in hand either playing a game or being on social media than physically communicating or having family time.

These distractions, if not monitored or intentionally given a period of time can take time away from the more important things in life. They cause you to procrastinate or ignore things that you promised yourself or someone else that you would take care of. Worst of all, these distractions keep you from your personal time with God.

Big Brother IS Watching

Everything you say and do on the internet is saved somewhere. The servers hold information and even when they get full and are purged, the information still exists. Be careful what you do because people hack into other’s lives all the time. We are watched, heard, invaded. Thing is, some of us have welcomed it with open arms. The internet has been known to destroy and save lives.

The Internet Encourages Sinful Behaviors   

Social Media is the best place (outside of a library or wisdom from elders) to learn about things that you may need to know to survive. But Social Media, Dating Sites, and other things encourage people to do things they believe that they can get away with and not have consequence. Even the most secure and closely monitored sites are not really as secure as they seem. What you do on the web stays on the web for anyone to see.

Just because you are not physically standing or on the phone speaking to another does not mean you can say hurtful things and not suffer the consequence. Shaming another is being judgmental which is a sin. When you play with someone’s emotions through trolling our outright degrading someone you cause the person harm. Did not Jesus warn us about these things. The internet is a way to voice what we are thinking while believing there will be no ramifications. In other words, the "being someone they are not", is the exact opposite because the faceless internet allows people to show their true colors. Thinking and speaking on the internet through the written word is more dangerous than physical speech.

Social Media personalities have to have a strong will and be able to move forward no matter what. They open themselves up to ridicule because their personal lives are open for everyone to see. Scripture tells us not to let every soul into our lives so that we do not open ourselves up to these things. Thing is, some people thrive on the attention and desire to be loved by all. This is Satan causing us to idolize and worship the physical and tearing us away from God. Personally, I do not care who is dating who, who is divorcing, who wants to show their body to the world. I do not need to know those things because I am not in their circle of close relations. Nor should anyone else care but those who are physically part of their lives.

Trolling causes confusion and anger. People hide behind the mask of the human word to get others riled up. Trolling is hateful speech that can cause much dis-heartedness and others to lash out in anger. Brothers and Sisters this is a bad way to be on the net. Some do it just to cause conversation and arguments. Some of these have turned into unintentional violent behaviors. Remember, words hurt more than any physical weapon. If you find yourself in a situation with a troll, stop and move away from the conversation. If it persists, delete yourself from it and move on.

The Internet is a window to the Seven Deadly Sins. Well, honestly it is a window to all sin but the Seven Deadly are more pronounced. Never before has temptation been more readily available and enticing than on the net. Immoral behaviors of all types are readily available to watch and become a participant in which have rippling effects that lead to  suffering consequences physically and mentally. If you see yourself moving that way, stop.

Do not open up yourself on the internet to cause others to say hurtful things. Jesus had told us that even the thought of saying something hurtful is just like committing the physical sin of murder. Keep certain thoughts and things to only those who are close and will be compassionate, and do not encourage another’s sinfulness. If you are hurting, only inform those whom you believe will be compassionate to your pain. Our lives should be open books but not open to the world.

It doesn’t matter how many friends you have on Social Media, how many likes you receive, or how many followers you have. God will bring those who truly need to hear what you have to say to it. It is okay to share accomplishments but do not seek and depend on accolades to make yourself feel good about what you have done.    

The Internet Can Be Used For Good         

To get God’s Word out to those who need it but have no access to Bibles, pastors, or missionaries, the internet is a great tool. In fact that what Path-Way was originally about. We have reached well over 80 countries and have been the mustard seed, water, and or fertilizer to help others grow in the faith.

My dad is going through some real rough times and I depend on the internet to see how he is doing since I am hundreds of miles away. We use video chat to see our family and friends who are away and to give assistance through talking someone through an activity while seeing what they are doing. For example, helping your college student cook, prep, or repair something. Or just seeing them and talking face to face through a screen. By the way, prayers please for my dad, he has cancer that is lymphatic and has started chemo.

I have heard of face-time and video chat saving someone from suicide, talking someone out of committing crimes and other sinful acts. Using the Internet can save lives and souls.

In Conclusion       

Brothers and Sisters, this man made tool can be used for good and evil purposes. We must be vigilant and tread carefully on how we use it. I personally do like a good distractible game sometimes but I do not stay on it for long because my number one priority is time with God and family.

Please do not let electronic media control you and take over your relationships with others. Interact with others face to face as often as possible. Live and share life with those you love and who God puts into your life. Reach out, spread the good news of the Gospel, show God’s work in your life.

In God’s Loving Embrace,

Rob, Servant of God