As a Christian, you may have asked yourself: Should I have social media? Is it wise to be on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, TiktTok, or Twitter?
Social media can certainly be a helpful tool in countless ways. I know that my research mind loves it at times! I can find firsthand information from other bloggers just like me.
However, there have been times when social media has caused me pain. I’m sure you have experienced this too if you have been on a social media app for a period of time.
Like most things in life, there are pros and cons. There are good and bad reasons to be on social media, and it all boils down to your heart.
It’s about to get juicy! Let’s jump in…
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SOCIAL MEDIA IS AN ISSUE OF THE HEART
Have you ever stumbled upon my controversial blog post, Should Christians Wear Leggings? If so, then you know that Christianity is not simply about following rules.
Just like there are no hard rules around modesty in the Bible, there are no hard and fast rules about social media. Rules are where the Pharisees during Jesus’ time on earth got in trouble.
As Christians, we must listen to the words of Christ and apply them to our own lives today. Jesus told us it’s a matter of our hearts.
I love the way my husband presented it to me when we were dating. He told me to think of this analogy.
Your heart is a kingdom, and you’re the king. Imagine a large castle with fortified walls and a moat going all the way around. Each day, various forms of evil try to enter your kingdom in every way possible. As the king, you must be on guard and ready to attack each evil and wicked thing that attacks or tempts you.
Now, imagine yourself as the king of your heart in today’s culture and world.
You are the king, or queen, of your heart! You have the key to the kingdom to let whatever you want into your heart. Is your heart pursuing after Christ? If so, then you can use the wisdom of Christ to guide your decisions in how you approach social media.
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
Social media can help us stay rooted in Christ but it can also open the door for us to be susceptible to more attacks. Let’s take a look at what that means further.
REASONS FOR A SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX
Let’s talk about the pros and cons of social media.
I have decided to use social media as wisely as I can. I have made mistakes and some days I probably spend too much time on them.
And as much as I love following amazing biblical women on social media, reading the Bible verses that accounts post every day, or even finding resources to help me with my Christian walk, I still need a break sometimes.
Perhaps, just like I have been convicted to not wear leggings, you have been convicted by the Holy Spirit to not use social media. That is an amazing decision too.
Ultimately, it needs to begin as a conversation you have with the Lord.
If you are pursuing Christ with your whole heart, reading His word, praying, and meditating on Scripture then you will grow in your relationship with your Savior.
As you grow, you should always re-evaluate everything in your life. I regularly have to come before God with my convictions, concerns, and experiences. I have to evaluate what the world is telling up against what the Bible is telling me.
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Here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons of social media (and if you have more to add drop them in the comments below!)
Pros: quick and easy access to information, staying in touch with friends and family, learning about new trends and breaking news, quick entertainment, DIY and event planning ideas, finding a job, starting a company, etc.
Cons: bullying, unintended hurt, miscommunication, lack of authenticity, comparison and envy, lust and pornography, addictions can form, lack of privacy, etc.
The research to back up the negative effects of social media is what can really remind me to do a social media detox at times.
But I believe social media can be an effective tool when used wisely.
If you find the temptations that arise from it too strong, then your next steps should be seeking the Lord in prayer and evaluating what the best decision is for your life.
The best decision may be a Christian social media detox for a time. I have examined a couple of versions that a Christian social media detox could look at.
Related Post: How To Jumpstart Your Year With These Life Habits
BABY STEPS OF A CHRISTIAN SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX
I like to think of these detoxes as baby steps.
If you are finding yourself addicted to social media, in large or small amounts, then I encourage you to start at the first detox and slowly work your way up. It’s much easier to find a healthier level of social media after all of this if you gradually build up.
Let some time pass between each of these detoxes too. It shouldn’t happen all at once.
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Eliminate
The first step of a Christian social media detox is to slowly eliminate the people you are following.
Let’s face it, we all follow people that we may have been in contact with at some point but have lost touch with. Or we simply followed an account because of a giveaway but now they only create noise in our feed.
Or, you follow an account that actually posts some pretty sexual or divisive content every once in a while that is simply not godly.
It’s time to get rid of all the junk that no longer interests you. It’s time to eliminate temptations in this first baby step.
Action step: eliminate almost half the people you follow. (I know this can be intimidating or scary because you start to realize how many close friends or family you actually have and it may not be much. That’s ok! Hang with me.)
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Time Restraint
Second, put a time restraint on how long you are using social media.
It’s so handy that you may even have a phone now that can lock you out of the app after you’ve reached your limit. When I had an iPhone, I found this feature extremely convicting.
I suggest only checking social media for one of the days and scheduling that hour. If you don’t schedule it and don’t have a phone that tracks it for you, it could be very easy to break this step.
My favorite way to do this detox is to give myself one hour each day which is only for social media. Especially with running a blog, sometimes social media is just necessary for running my business.
I will often schedule my social media time at night. For example, from 7 pm – 8 pm.
Action step: Limit your social media time to one hour and track it. Schedule the time of day you will be checking your social media. Then, seek God in prayer as you discern this area of your life.
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Fast
Third, eliminate one social platform for a month or longer.
You can pick the account you check the least, but it will be more beneficial for you to pick the account you check every day.
It may be a good idea to let people know that you are not checking the account for a while so that they don’t worry about you.
Action step: Delete the app. Get rid of the bookmarked page. Open your Bible and use that time you would be checking it to read instead.
I suggest this Bible to get you started if you need one!
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Fly Solo
Fourth, go without all your social media accounts for a set amount of time.
One year, I did this challenge for lent. I’m not Jewish or Catholic, but I thought this would be a great opportunity to see where my heart truly was when it came to social media.
Wow, were my eyes opened! I realized how much I thought about social media when I did this Christian social media detox.
My thoughts were on likes, friends, and followers more than I realized. I was stuck in a comparison trap. And, I put a lot of time and energy into worrying about what other people thought of me.
Sometimes, we may not think we need a social media detox, but once we do it our hearts can be changed and pushed closer toward Christ.
Action step: Delete your social media accounts for a set amount of time (or forever if that’s what the Holy Spirit is convicting you!) and instead read this theology book.
It is one of my favorite books on learning more about God, His Word, and the story of His redemption. I highly recommend it. Check it out on Amazon here.
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HOW TO DETOX FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
So, at the end of the day, how do you keep social media in its rightful place?
First, begin with examining your heart. Do you desire to pursue good, edifying, and holy things that are sanctifying? In other words, do you desire to live a life that reflects the character of Christ?
I honestly feel that social media plays too large a role in most of our lives. And, while I even need it to run this business, I must take time to do a Christian social media detox every few months to keep my heart in check.
The devil is always looking for ways to tear down Christians, attacking our hearts and kingdom. One of his easiest tools in today’s modern world is social media. We must be on guard.
Second, follow the baby steps in the section above.
Each baby step will help you see how much you rely on social media each day. The breaks will encourage you to spend more time in Scripture and in prayer.
The baby steps can effectively help you break a social media addiction. However, they can not be done alone. They must be surrounded by prayer and reading Scripture.
Let me know in the comments below, have you done a social media detox before? Will you be changing to the Christian social media detox baby steps above?
I can’t wait to connect with you!
Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma
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So true. I’ve been convicted to delete my apps once and for all and the feeling is so freeing! Thank you Jesus! ☺️🙏🏼❤️
I am happy to help! Glory to God