Abusers and Social Media — You Can’t fool Christ With Your Online Facade
“Hurling. Hurling now!” That is what a friend of mine texted me in response to an interchange I shared with her from Facebook between people that we know for a fact are unrepentantly walking in sin, yet who persist in pushing their “saintly” FB image down our throats. You know the drill. They quote Bible verses. They post little prayers. Yeah. Hurling. Hurling now.
Facades, disguises, and masquerades are all very familiar to those of us who know abusers. It is the very nature of evil to disguise itself. Righteousness never needs to do so. Remember, evil people love to wear sheep’s clothing, but sheep do not put on a wolf disguise.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Jesus knows all about these online phonies. He sees right through the mask. In fact, EVERY time one of these wicked ones posts a Scripture or expounds about how much they love Jesus, they are in fact storing up wrath for themselves on that Day. I wonder if Christ will put their FB timelines up for all to see? They blaspheme. They take the Lord’s name in vain, even when they say “Praise the Lord!”
I bet our readers have some stories to tell about how their abuser practiced/practices this very thing. The wicked use all kinds of tools, including social media, to win their allies and turn them against the victim. It is vital for us to be wise and to immerse ourselves in the Word of God so that we do not get taken in by these deceptions. Remember, people can “be” whoever they want to be online. To them, Jesus will say:
Matthew 7:20-23 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
One final thought. Let me suggest this principle:
Righteous, genuine, safe people do not spend their energy telling everyone how godly they are. The wicked, in contrast, spend lots of time telling us about all the “good” works they are doing for Jesus. They often are the most energetic (visibly) “servants” in the church. But they are like the Pharisees who loved to have great fanfare when they put some money in the offering plate or when they stood on the street and prayed.
Therefore, be wise and learn. People who talk about all that they do in the Lord’s name, who flood their FB page with Bible quotes and “God-talk,” are in many cases probably phonies.