I kissed social networking goodbye.

As a student at a community college I am fully aware of the grip social networking has on our society. I had a both a facebook and a myspace since they became popular, but recently the Lord spoke to me about trading them in for something better. I kissed social networking goodbye.

Social networking is not a sin, in fact being social is something that humans do best, God created it this way, Genesis 2:18a says "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone..." As we know the Lord went on to create Eve for Adam, but He says that humans need to be relational. Facebook provides relationships, but not the best kind. in fact my relations have been hurt through social networking more than helped. In the past I have been slandered, offended, misunderstood, rejected, and gossiped about , it is a breading ground for relational hurt. Not only have I hurt, I have also hurt others in that same way. Temptation is also great on myspace or facebook.

Temptations I faced on facebook were gossip, vanity, pride, jealousy, boasting in myself, idleness, slander and the list goes on. To be fair, we are all faced with temptation every day, even if have no social networking habits or even a computer. My point is, why put unnecessary temptation in front of yourself? It was consuming time that I desperately needed to spend on other things. It was just not necessary for me. I found myself on facebook habitually. Although I didn't struggle in giving up my facebook, to this day (I do not have a facebook anymore) I begin to type www.fa....... before I catch myself and realize, "oh, you don't have a facebook."

Since giving up my social networking sites I have used my computer far less, I have increased my time with the Lord, I have lived out of the social loop (less drama, less outings, more time with my family and true friends), I have lived in more freedom (less vain thoughts, less social obligations, more free time, less peer pressure), and I have used my computer time to read Godly blogs, research for school, biblical research and mind games (text twist...ohhh, that is becoming an addiction, haha). I am so happy I got rid of my facebook and I encourage others to do the same.

People have asked me why (and when they do they sound shocked, hurt and confused), they have slandered me for it (it is just a web page), and questioned my sanity, but I do not mind. I know the Lord is pleased with my decision.

I do not say this to bring others down or build myself up in anyway, I just wanted to share my thoughts on social networking in a Godly perspective. If you can examine your reasons for using a social networking site and say that they are all pure, Noble, and right, then by all means continue on. But if you are like me in anyway, and you can find fault in one area of reasoning, then try giving it up. (one nice/bad thing about facebook is that you never delete your profile, you just deactivate it, so that if you decide you want it back you just log on, which if you struggle with getting on, have someone else change your password and keep it hidden from you).

God Bless,
Sarah