I love social media. I really do. Social Media has given us the ability to connect with people worldwide, the opportunity to reconnect with friends from the past, and the chance to meet new friends. Social media has enriched my life in so many beautiful ways, and I’m genuinely grateful for these platforms that allow us to connect.
But, if I’m honest, social media in 2020 was a bit rough. So much so that I took a 20-day break from it. My heart and soul needed to rest. Rest from all the opinions, debates, and sad stories. It just became too much.
- COVID opinions
- Mask opinions
- Vaccine opinions
- Political opinions
- Racial Injustice Opinions
- Pro-Life/Pro-Choice opinions
- Death Penalty opinions
But even through all the noise, I felt like the Lord was leading me. Leading me to see, read, and discern. And over the past few months, I have felt like He’s wanted to lead me even more into the realm of social media leadership.
If you’ve been following me, you know that I’m passionate about helping Christ-followers #BeWorthFollowing online. Deep down, I believe that we have an incredible opportunity to share the hope and love of Jesus with people all over the world, right from our computers. We can’t shy away from this. And God has allowed me to share this message for the past 5-years.
But now, it’s 2021. And in this new year, the Lord is leading me to share His truth, in addition to the hope and love that is found in Him. Enter Social Media Theology.
First, let’s define what biblical theology is: It’s the study of God (the word theology comes from two Greek words, theos = God, and logos = word) through the lens of the Bible.
So, what is Social Media Theology? The study of God through the lens of social media.
These two are vastly different. One leads us to the Bible, the inerrant Word of God. The other leads us to the opinions, popular thoughts, and ideas that sound really good, from various people, on social media.
I recently shared on Instagram some popular social media sayings that have consistently been red flags for me. These popular sayings include:
- Live your truth
- Follow your heart
- You’re not broken
- The answer is within you
- Do whatever makes you happy
- Manifest what you want in your life
- You are perfect just the way you are
Over the next few weeks, I want to share why these statements that so many have come to love and embrace are dangerous. Why are they dangerous? They are dangerous because they keep us stuck, unfulfilled, unhappy, and ultimately, they keep us away from the One who can get us unstuck and the One who can fulfill us. And eventually, these statements keep us separated from God.
If you look at all of the statements above, you will find that they have one consistent keyword: you. And it’s this one tiny but yet powerful word that makes all the difference.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some specific thoughts around these well-liked statements. But please know this in advance, this post and the posts to come are not directed at anyone specifically. If you have found yourself using these phrases, know that I don’t think any less of you (heck, I think I’ve used some of them too). Instead, I strongly feel that God is leading me more and more to share His truth in this season of life. Why? Because as believers, we have an incredible opportunity to share the truth of God with those online and as someone who loves God and loves people, I feel compelled to share what God has been laying on my heart for some time now.
I hope you’ll join me on this social media theology journey and that you’ll be comfortable sharing your thoughts and takeaways (which, by the way, I love reading).
To get us started, I’d love to know what other well-liked statements have you seen online? Feel free to share them below.
I’m so excited and encouraged by this (beginning of a) series! You and I chatted a couple weeks ago (via fb messenger) about toxic self-help culture and the needs to seek God to know Him, not to chase what He can do for us. That starting point — you vs. Him — is critical. Thank you for highlighting it. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts.
Loved reading this and can’t wait to hear more of your thoughts! Another quote I’ve seen online is, “You are enough” or “I am enough,” and I really don’t like them at all.
Thank you so much Linnea for sharing. The “you are enough” saying has definitely increased in popularity. If we were enough, we wouldn’t need Jesus and for me personally, I need Jesus every day. 🙂
You make such a great point Tanya: “Seek God to know Him, not to chase what He can do for us.” I definitely think this is something we have to be aware of. We don’t chase after God because of what we want from Him but instead, to know Him. Such a good word! Thank you for sharing!
I absolutely love your new series! Following you on IG on this @silkyg22. One of these sayings I’ve noted is ‘you create your own life’. It is bold and does not acknowledge God. My pondering around all this is that there is an inherent cry for help that denies God or should I does not acknowledge Christ, a fight back against an unseen resistance that has no name! Sometimes called ‘They’ maybe or words spoken over you etc. Anyway I wonder how social media theology friendly my words are but that’s my currently observation anyway. Looking forward to future posts and your thoughts as you explore these issues😊
Such a good word Lina! Yes, that’s another popular one, “you create your own life.” As you mentioned, I think we have to be super careful that in our sayings and beliefs, that we always acknowledge God. And while I think there is personal responsibility in creating a purposeful life, at the same time, we have to always be open to God’s leading and direction. Thank you so much for sharing!