Dave’s Monday Blast – January 27, 2020
I wanted to wrap up our conversation on Timothy the Instagram Ninja this week by exploring perhaps the most important aspect of social media engagement as Christ-Followers; within the context of our culture we must acknowledge that how we portray ourselves publicly matters. Two passages in 1 Timothy (2:8 – 10 and 3:1 – 13) go to great lengths to describe a profile that is “beyond reproach.” Although we find the context is specific to his audience, the principles are rock solid for all who are committed to being image bearers of their Creator.
In these passages, Paul gives Timothy guidance about how men and women should conduct themselves in public. Interestingly, he focuses on the visual. Image was an issue in his day as it is in ours, and social media is all about image. “Look at me! Look at where I am and what I am doing!” This perception of personal importance seems to have created a climate where the stating of opinion in a non-personal environment like social media implies that we are free to say whatever to whomever and expect somehow that there will be no consequence.
In 1 Timothy 2:8 – 10 we are provided with a good social media profile: Luke Greenwood comments, “Men are challenged to pray, to be holy, and not to give in to arguments and anger. Women are encouraged to be modest, decent, and to care more about inner beauty, “‘dressing themselves'” with good deeds. I think his Instagram would have been a platform to encourage good works and things that really bring change, rather than how cool he might have looked squatting while wearing that latest fashion.”
In 1 Timothy 3:1 – 13 the profile focus turns to leadership; however INTENTIONAL men know that each of us is a leader. We all have a sphere of influence that is unique to us and within that sphere our public image is critical. As we spend some time meditating upon this scripture, we receive another great example of a biblical profile for social media. If you focus upon verse 2 you will see the phrase “blameless”. Other versions use the phrase “well-thought-of.” Either way, it simply refers to reputation. To Paul and Timothy, reputation really mattered. They cared about the example they and other influencers were setting, understanding that with influence comes the responsibility to care about others and the impact you’re having on the world around you.
Luke concludes with this comment: “Social media platforms afford us both a challenge and an opportunity. In a world of windows looking into the day-to-day of our lives, where personal perspectives and stories are highly valued, we have a real opportunity to influence, if our lives model what it means to follow Jesus with our words, attitudes, and actions.
