The human experience requires embodied social relationships. We need meaningful, face-to-face conversations to speak and listen to one another in real time. Though talking with another person can be intimidating, these exchanges are necessary for human flourishing.
God created us with a basic need for human interaction. In fact, speech is one way we bear God’s image. Our world became a reality through God’s speech. He did not write a post or send an email. He spoke.
The Idolatry of Social Media
In Orality and Literacy, Walter Ong points out that social media gives us a parody of the enriching nature of verbal communication, conversation, and community. His point is not to suggest that social media is evil or entirely to blame for our flawed communication. But it is a poor substitute for real human engagement.
The problem is the human tendency to turn any created thing into an idol, even good things (Rom. 1:25). So we run to social media rather than rely on God’s providence. We let social media replace God and his church as our “go-to resources” for personal and spiritual growth.
In his book Counterfeit Gods, Timothy Keller explains, “[An idol] is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.”
His definition identifies three heart inclinations that can prove dangerous: First, we look to something or someone to provide what only God can give. Second, our hearts and imaginations become controlled by something other than God. And third, we replace God with something else.
The Root of Idolatry
Human desire is at the root of all these dangerous inclinations (James 1:14). Epithumia is the Greek word translated as desire. It can also mean lust of the sinful flesh.
Epithumia invokes powerful and deep-rooted longings of the human heart. Like social media, the word is neutral. It can describe both evil and godly desires. For example, Jesus used the same word in an emotionally charged exchange with his disciples. He says, “I have eagerly desired (epithumia) to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15).
Deep within our hearts is a God-given desire for intimacy and social relationships. God created us with minds that desire spectacular beauty and imaginations that can consume lofty ideas.
Theologian Christopher Watkins writes that God created our world with “superabundant excess” where our eyes can distinguish between 7 to 10 million colours. There are over 8.7 million species of plants and animals on Earth and innumerable galaxies in space.
Deep down, our souls desire submission to, and connection with God. Idolatry happens when we turn away from God and turn to something else to satisfy these desires.
Social Media Idolatry and Counterfeit Interactions
Social media offers us a parody of all the above. As Keller puts it, we often look to social media to give us what only God can provide—real intimacy, validation, and fellowship.
Social media offers intimacy without personal accountability. It offers the spectacular to keep our imaginations intrigued but without any social responsibilities. Social media also pretends to create real conversations without someone who can provide feedback and honest evaluation.
The danger with social media is that it must keep us engaged to keep us enslaved. Idols always depend on people for their existence and validation (Isa. 40:19-20). They always intend to enslave us. But God does not need us for anything. He is the only one who can truly set us free.
The Power of Fellowship in Christ
Our spiritual health requires something much more tangible and real to grow and thrive. The apostle John made this point when he said, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard [with our ears], which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and have touched with our hands. . . that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you [with our lips]” (1 John 1:1-3)
John wants us to know the reality of Jesus Christ and to experience the power of fellowship with him and other believers (1 John 1:3-4). He wants us to know that Jesus is personal. He is alive. There is nothing that can replace him.
Jesus offers an intimate personal relationship with him. He is the only one who can satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. A relationship with Jesus goes beyond anything any social media platform can promise.
Living Out the Great Commandment
To be clear, I am not against social media and currently use multiple platforms. But my accounts are not substitutes for the social and spiritual interactions I enjoy with the saints in my church. I do not use these platforms to spy on people but to stay updated and informed about current affairs and societal trends. If stewarded wisely, social media can be a great servant, but it can also be an unmerciful master.
So, let me offer five practical helps to overcome social media idolatry based on what Jesus calls the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37-38).
- Guard your heart by keeping it fixed on the reality of Jesus and his church.
- Guard your mind by soaking it in the Bible. It will help you discern the real from the parody.
- Guard your body with purity and discipline. Remember that it is through your bodies, and not through the keypad of a phone or computer, that you encounter social realities.
- Guard your soul by allowing it to find value and validation from the Cross of Jesus alone.
- Guard your relationships by keeping them genuine, intimate, and personal.
It is who and what we desire that will ultimately shape our lives. So may our lives be shaped by Christ alone through Scripture alone.
