Social Media and Evil Communications

In a nutshell, the main danger of the Internet in general and social media in particular is evil communications. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Co. 15:33). Evil communications refer to any kind of associations, relationships, communion, conversation, and fellowship that is evil, bad, wrong, or harmful by the standard of God’s Word. “Evil” is the Greek kakos, the standard New Testament word for evil. It is usually translated “evil.” It is also translated “wicked” (Mt. 21:41), “harm” (Ac. 16:28), “ill” (Ro. 13:10), “noisome” (Re. 16:2). Evil is anything that is contrary to God’s standard of righteousness and holiness, anything that is contrary to God’s will. God’s standard for His redeemed people is very high. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit, PERFECTING holiness in the fear of God” (2 Co. 7:1). “Communications” is homilia, “to converse, to have companionship.” It is from homileo, meaning “a multitude, a crowd, a company.” It is translated “talked together” (Lu. 24:14) and “communed together” (Lu. 24:15). “Good manners” is chrestos (profitable, fit, good for any use) and ethos (custom, habit, morals, character). It refers to the right way of living and thinking. “Corrupt” is phthero, “to waste, pine, destroy, spoil.” It is translated “defile” and “destroy” (1 Co. 3:17). It is used for the corruption of the mind by false doctrine (2 Co. 11:3). The Bible warns, therefore, that any association or company or communion with evil corrupts and spoils the right and biblical way of Christian living and thinking. God’s Word says, “Be not deceived” on this point. You are not an exception. If you associate with, commune with, company with, converse with evil, you will most definitely be injured by it. The word homilia--communion, companionship, a crowd, a company--is a precise definition for social media! There has never been a more powerful forum for evil communications in the history of this fallen world. Let God’s people take heed! On the positive side, 1 Corinthians 15:33 calls for a testing mindset. It is an unequivocal divine commandment to judge everything by the standard of whether or not it is an evil communication and to avoid everything that fits that standard. This is contrary to the “judge not, be tolerant, mind your own business” thinking that is predominate within 21st century Christianity.

(Friday Church News Notes, December 13, 2019, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)

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