UNFRIENDED - Jewell Utt
The Internet is a scary place with many camouflaged dangers. Children are lured by predators. Bullies declare open season on their victims. People respond impulsively to later regret their hasty words. The truth is anyone can pretend anything online and at some level many do.
Today begins a discussion on the Internet challenges and temptations of our day. A gift can easily turn into a temptation when we don’t use it wisely.
“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves.
Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.”
Matthew 10:16 (HCSB)
In the Holman’s version the word harmless replaces the word innocent-used in most translations. Together they provide a clear picture of how we should act and react in our posts. The fact is that technology is a gift. It has opened the door of our homes, moved right into our living rooms, and brought along a world of new friends and opportunities.
I doubt if people who “friend” me have a genuine interest in who I am. More likely they are searching for information. My doubt was confirmed when I had a friend request from an unknown young woman. Our “mutual friendships” suggested to me that she’d be fine to allow into my private world. No sooner did I accept, than the filth poured in.
Her words assaulted my senses, as over and over she accused me of calls and notes and judgments. Written words can express sound; hers were screaming, mine were mute. It took many gentle responses to get her to listen.
When she took a closer look, searched my pictures and viewed my website, she realized she had the wrong person. She then abruptly “unfriended” me with no apology or remorse for her behavior. But with a stern rebuke that I shouldn’t be “friends” with a certain person. LOL. A verse came to mind.
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
I prayed for her and for the person she would unleash her wrath on. We have an opportunity through social media, to encourage and share Christ with a world in desperate need. Realizing we are called to be as wise as serpents in a arena of many wolves.
Jesus is a true friend. He knows our very mind. We cannot boast or pretend because nothing is hidden from His sight. This makes me even more thankful for His presence. He knows the real me and yet He loves me still.
AND HE LOVES YOU TOO!
My hope is that the woman who “unfriended” me will “friend” Christ.
