To begin, salvation itself is not the result of works. Salvation was not earned, nor was it deserved. Rather, it was imparted. For this reason, we do not teach that you start practicing outside standards until you are saved for the simple fact that you cannot work your way to salvation. Remember Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (KJV) Standards come after salvation, not before. Standards mean absolutely nothing unless you have received salvation.

When we are discussing Biblically appointed standards, we must look at them as fruits of the regenerated man. We live right because we are a new creature and resemble the One who saved us. Remember 2 Corinthians 5:17, which states, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (KJV) The actions or the works are a result of what has taken place on the inside and it is a product of regeneration, which is a sovereign act of God. In fact, John 3:6 and Titus 3:5 demonstrate the fact that the convert’s regeneration is a product of the Holy Ghost.

All of this being said, regeneration does not make null and void mankind’s free will. Meaning, you still reserve the right and ability to make choices, whether good or bad. By regeneration, you now have clean desires and a holy objective, but you still have to “walk in the light, as he is in the light.” (1 John 1:7, KJV) For this reason, outward standards are not a means of receiving salvation but a means of keeping one walking in the ways of Holiness. I think many have blurred the lines between “Holiness” and “Standard,” because they are actually two very different things. Holiness is righteous living. Standards are guidelines put into place, whether by the preaching of God’s inspired Word, or by personal conviction, that keep us walking in the ways of Holiness. Put simply, outward standards are not for the purpose of earning salvation, but rather, standards help us keep our salvation. I have often heard it quoted, “Standards will not get you to Heaven, but you will not get there without them.” (Anonymous)

As Christians, the pressure of compromise can be felt stronger today than ever before. Tolerance and acceptance has become the new moral standards of our day. We are pressed to compromise our purity, our modesty, and our convictions. Because of this, it has become necessary for God to set boundaries to keep us from drifting. Biblical standards serve the same

purpose. I liken them to fences that sometimes serve to keep us from wondering off and also to fend off outside influences that could keep us from living righteously in the eyes of God.

-Bro. Terry Garner

First, I would like to commend you for desiring to live a godly life. In regards to any type of social media, they should be examined on their merit or the lack thereof on an individual basis.

Most forms of social media are as good or bad based on the actions and motives of the individual using it. When you use any type of media to go against the principles of morality that are outlined in God’s word

then it is wrong.

To answer your question some preachers may preach against a certain type of media because of personal experience. Maybe there has been a gossip thread started on facebook that has torn apart a family or a church and it has caused trouble in God’s kingdom. I have seen that on a number of occasions myself.

There is a herd mentality and a boldness that comes from a keyboard that people do not have in person that can add to the destruction of churches and the character of an individual.

If a preacher has recently been effected by a certain type of social media, then it can cause him to preach against that particular form of social media.

Facebook can be used to encourage people and share things that are family oriented and uplifting. I personally enjoyed all of the family pictures that were shared on Resurrection Sunday.

Some people chronicle their entire existence on social media and they derive their worth from how many likes, shares, and comments that they get.

They cannot even sit down for a meal at a restaurant and have a conversation with those at the table

because people have to take pictures of their food and update all of their social media accounts.

Marco Polo, of course is a video sharing app that can be used for good or bad.

Snapchat- can be harmless fun using the filters and making funny pictures etc. but it can lead to promiscuous behavior because of the lack of accountability that it provides through the fact that the snap disappears or supposedly disappears in a certain amount of time.

I am not a fan of snapchat because of the lack of accountability and the fact that I have never snapped anything except my fingers and some green beans when I was a kid.

Young people need to follow some guidelines when using social media. First, you should always be accountable to your parents. They should have access to your account. If your parents or Pastors ask you not to be involved in social media because of your age or any other reason, you should immediately comply with them and God will honor your obedience.

It may be a sacrifice, but probably not as much as Isaac willingly laying himself on the sacrificial altar for his father.

Never secretly have conversations with people that you do not know. With all of the location sharing apps that there are today, it is dangerous to have conversations with people that you do not know especially if the conversation becomes uncomfortable.

Put time constraints on your use. Time usage as well as time of day. I have learned through dealing with a lot of young people that not very much wholesome conversation goes on after midnight.

Try not to just use social media as your sole method of communication. There is more depth and meaning in an actual conversation. It also will help your social skills as you transition into adulthood.

Back to your original question. Sometimes preachers preach on things to prevent bad things from happening, so it can cause misunderstandings. As preachers we should try to give clear reasons why we are cautioning someone and as church members we should seek to understand why a preacher is giving a warning about something that might not be an out right sin but it is leading them into a bad situation.

As to why preachers preach against certain types of social media and not others, it could be a recent problem with a specific type of social media, it could be new and if it is new it must be preached against, it could be the only type of social media that they have informed themselves on, or they simply may not like a certain type of Social media and it is always easy to preach against something that you do not like.

Preachers should do their best give clear reasons for the things that they preach and listeners need to realize that most preachers are doing their best to watch for your souls in a technological age that is moving so fast that it is almost humanly impossible to keep up with everything that can be detrimental to our walk with God.

Sounds to me like God has us right where He wants us. That is, to examine ourselves daily before Him in prayer, and asking Him to sanctify our lives so that we can be in a right relationship with Him and help others along the way.

Pray for wisdom, stay full of the Holy Ghost, honor your Parents and your Pastors, and live according to the principles of God’s word. These things will keep your experience with God up to date and will assure your heart before Him until we hear God say, “well done thou good and faithful servant.”

-Bro. Mike Shelton