First thought, Mt. 10:16: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."
Several things to be aware of. "Social Media" platforms are commonly "free". They can afford to be because they collect every scrap of your personal information that they possibly can, and sell it to whoever will pay for it. So be conscious of what you are writing and what the consequences might be. This can be true of sites that have "Bible" in their names, by the way. I am not, however, saying "don't ever write if there might be negative consequences". But choose.
These platforms create silos through which your posts are directed toward others already of like mind. You can pour your heart out and not reach anyone new. But you might reach someone anyway, if God wills it.
The platforms are designed to be addictive. Going back to their beginnings, the basic model is that of a slot machine. Keep pulling that handle (scrolling) -- receive tokens ("likes") for your posting efforts -- pull it some more. "Gamification" is an important aspect of their design and evolution. Reflect on why you are doing what you are doing there. Glorify God; don't do it for your own glory.
Mt. 10:16 _literally_ applies to these sites. Believe it!
What you have pointed out is one of the great struggles I have with social media. The opportunity to reach many people is there - but we must be careful how we go about it, and how we use it ourselves. And, we may not even be reaching the people we would like to reach in the first place.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Modern translations may instead say "trouble", but the Greek uses same word here as for "tribulation" elsewhere. It has a range of meanings. Yes, we have trouble. Be of good cheer.
I do wonder about those YouTube viewer counts. Those could so easily be faked. I am a software developer, by the way, 50 years and counting, specializing now in database design and development. I know well how the technology can be used and misused.
First thought, Mt. 10:16: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."
Several things to be aware of. "Social Media" platforms are commonly "free". They can afford to be because they collect every scrap of your personal information that they possibly can, and sell it to whoever will pay for it. So be conscious of what you are writing and what the consequences might be. This can be true of sites that have "Bible" in their names, by the way. I am not, however, saying "don't ever write if there might be negative consequences". But choose.
These platforms create silos through which your posts are directed toward others already of like mind. You can pour your heart out and not reach anyone new. But you might reach someone anyway, if God wills it.
The platforms are designed to be addictive. Going back to their beginnings, the basic model is that of a slot machine. Keep pulling that handle (scrolling) -- receive tokens ("likes") for your posting efforts -- pull it some more. "Gamification" is an important aspect of their design and evolution. Reflect on why you are doing what you are doing there. Glorify God; don't do it for your own glory.
Mt. 10:16 _literally_ applies to these sites. Believe it!
What you have pointed out is one of the great struggles I have with social media. The opportunity to reach many people is there - but we must be careful how we go about it, and how we use it ourselves. And, we may not even be reaching the people we would like to reach in the first place.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Modern translations may instead say "trouble", but the Greek uses same word here as for "tribulation" elsewhere. It has a range of meanings. Yes, we have trouble. Be of good cheer.
I do wonder about those YouTube viewer counts. Those could so easily be faked. I am a software developer, by the way, 50 years and counting, specializing now in database design and development. I know well how the technology can be used and misused.