Characteristics of the Social Media Epidemic
A. The using of social media in the spreading of lies, deception, half-truths, exaggerations, innuendos, insinuations, hearsay, gossip, hoaxes, scams, fake news by all political extremes. I want to say the last one again. If you think that whatever political leaning you have is exempt from fake news, you're either naive, deceived, or intentionally lying.

B. Another form of the social media epidemic is the breeding of excessive amounts of ridiculous and ungodly drama, hatred, bitterness, resentment, poisonous words, destroying of an innocent person's character.

C. The third form of the social media epidemic is the mindset of the end justifies the means. The idea that anything goes if it can help accomplish my cause.

Naivety, Foolishness, Deception
It seems many people believe just about everything they read on social media and then spread online everything imaginable without verifying what they're posting is true. For some, the mindset is, if my friends shared it, it must be true. Your friend most likely never verified if what they're sharing is true. So what happens is deception is spread.

The Social Media Epidemic and Christianity
Sadly there are those who call themselves Christians that are spreading the Social Media Epidemic. They are either gullible or have also bought into the demonic lie that the end justifies the means. If you are a Christian spreading falsehoods and mean-spirited information about others, you are violating the ninth commandment that states you should not bear false witness against a neighbor, and you are violating the second commandment that says you should not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. You are taking the name of the Lord your God in vain when you proclaim to be a Christian, but are manifesting the character traits of Satan.

Bible Verses
Proverbs 10 11
The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain. The words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

Proverbs 11 12
It is foolish to belittle one's neighbor. A sensible person keeps quiet.

Proverbs 15 28
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

Proverbs 18 8
The words of gossipers are as wounds, and they go down deep into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 26 20 Without wood, a fire goes out. Without a gossiper, a quarrel dies down.

2 Timothy 2 16
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

Ephesians 4 29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it might benefit those who listen.

Matthew 12 28
I tell you, in the day of judgment, people will give account for every careless word they speak.

Colossians 4 6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Help Stop the Spread of the Social Media Epidemic
Here's some steps to take to not be overtaken by and not to be a host spreading the social media epidemic.

A. Do not be gullible. Just because someone you know has posted does not mean it is true or accurate. Just because someone of your political leading shares something does not mean it's true. So, like I say, A. Do not be gullible to disbelieve that whoever shares it must be true.

B. Verify, verify, verify. Before you post something, verify it. If it seems like it may not be true, it probably is not true. If it seems extreme, it's because it's not true. It only takes one to two minutes to verify if something is a hoax. It does not take much to determine if something is a scam. Again, it's easy to check it out.

C. Look at the words and character of the person who is posting something before you share it. If the words they speak are poisonous, hateful, mean-spirited, derogatory, ungodly, there most likely is some falsehood in what they are saying. And even if what they share is true, why would you share something that is hateful and mean-spirited?

D. If you find out what you have shared is a hoax, a scam, is deceptive, immediately remove your post so it does not get shared by others.

E. Ask yourself why you are sharing something. What are your motives? If your motives are not sincere, your heart does not line up with the heart of God, that should be a red flag to not share.

F. Be determined to be a truth teller, not a spreader of unhealthy or ungodly words or rumors and gossip.

G. If you post something, it is much better to address words, actions, behavior, than shooting the messenger because you don't like the message.

H. Offer solutions, not just speak about problems.

Now I want to make a clarification. I want to clarify something because some listeners would jump to the conclusion about what I am saying.

What Am I Not Saying?

A. I am not saying that we should only post ear-tickling, people-pleasing posts. Far from it. I think it is clear I am a very direct person and I certainly post very direct posts, but I do not attack persons.

B. I am not saying we should never call someone out. If someone is manifesting totally ungodly character, you may feel led to confront them. Just be aware such people become very vicious and will come after you instead of your message.

C. I am not saying that I have never spread the social media epidemic. I certainly have. I have gotten the bug at various times, more times than I like. Thus, I am much more cautious of what I post or if I should post. Honestly, I post much less than what I want to post. Some may not believe it, but it is true.

Fairfield Bay, Arkansas
Much of what takes place at many of the Fairfield Bay Facebook groups is shameful. I can tell you by experience, much of what is posted is opinions and not based upon facts, even though there are those that claim they are posting facts. There are those saying things about individuals that are blatantly false. They're either blatantly lying or have false information. They're actually just spreading gossip or rumors.

There are multitudes of posting about individuals claiming to know the hearts and motives of others. It certainly would be unwise to make major decisions based upon what you read and fear of Fairfield Bay Facebook groups or other groups.

Social Media and Positivity
A. Post principles that help people to change their life.
B. Post principles that help people to be better individuals.
C. Connect with Friends via social media.

Prayer
Lord help all of us to not be spreading the Social Media Epidemic. May we people that would reflect your character if we call Jesus our Lord and Savior. May we verify, verify, verify before we post things so that we would not be the spreaders of hoaxes, scams, deception. or hate.

Social Media Epidemic Podcast
Podcast Transcript