We live in a culture that is obsessed with social media. According to a recent Pew Research poll, 84% of adults ages 18-29 use social media, 81% of adults ages 30-49 use it, 73% of adults ages 50-64 use it, and 45% of those 65 and older use social media. The big picture is this: as of October 2021, there are 4.55 billion social media users around the world. That’s 57.6% of the total global population. The average user spends 2 hours and 27 minutes on social media every day. That totals to 17 hours each week! Suffice to say, social media has a big influence on the daily lives of people all around the world. 

 

Social media is a tool. You can use it to waste time (many do), but you can also use it for God’s glory. Because so many people are on social media every day, you have the potential to influence hundreds of people with a single post. We as Christians must remember our identity. We are Christians first and foremost, even on social media. Don’t be a different person when you’re online, be who you truly are—a child of God. 

 

With that in mind, let me encourage you to make social media your social ministry. What I mean is simply this: post things that point people to the Lord. Put up Bible verses or devotional thoughts, a link to a website that is helpful in some way. Don’t always post about yourself, and certainly don’t use your platform to complain and whine about the state of the country or the condition of your life. The truth is, that’s a bad testimony for the name of Christ. 

 

Ephesians 4:29 tells us, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Before you post something, ask yourself these questions: Is this post edifying? Does this post glorify God? Does this post minister grace to the recipients? Now don’t misunderstand, it’s fine to post something about yourself or a funny meme, but if that’s all you ever post online, you’re not being a good steward of your social media. If you can’t manage it for God’s glory, then you shouldn’t be using it at all. 

 

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We live in a dark world. Whether online or in the real world, people should see your light. Social media allows you to have influence—don’t waste it! Use it for God’s glory. Let your light shine, even on social media. Christians, this is not a suggestion. This is the world we live in now. Social media is not going away. We MUST shine the light of God’s glory and truth on social media.