I talk to myself sometimes. I used to work alone labeling books in a warehouse. I’d practice preaching when I knew no one would stop in. A few times my wife caught me discoursing on some profound truth I thought the world needed to hear.
Usually, we call people who talk themselves schizophrenic. They are slightly out of touch with reality and don’t know who they are.
I’m not sure what causes schizophrenia, but I do know there’s a generation of people who are losing touch with reality. It’s the Facebook generation.
Maybe we don’t talk to ourselves on Facebook, but without knowing it we can project an image that is not accurate to who we are. Perhaps it’s more like having multiple personalities. Whatever the case, Facebook is stealing our identity and here’s how I see it happening.
1. We appear more glamorous than we really are
Whether you end up portraying a more perfect family than reality or that you’re more involved in ministry than you really are, if you are not careful the only thing people see of you is glamour.
We don’t like to put bad things on public display. I’m not going to snap a picture of myself when I’m lying in bed not wanting to get up and do work that needs to be done. But I will post about my recent accomplishment I feel proud about.
By only posting the good side of life I appear more glamorous than I really am, taking away my true identity.
2. We don’t have the inhibitions we do in face-to-face conversations
I’ve notice that people tend to be more disrespectful to their elders. Maybe they don’t intend it to come across that way, but because it’s not face-to-face, they don’t have the natural reserve to hold back their emotions.
Or maybe I end up being too honest. Because I don’t want to come across as perfect, I spill on Facebook what I typically don’t tell the public; justifying it by claiming humility.
If I am doing more than I would in real life, it presents a false self and takes away my identity.
3. We over-talk the Bible
There will always be a temptation to only talk about following God and not actually follow Him, but this seems especially bad when it comes to Facebook. One of the weaknesses with Christians on Facebook is the long threads of comments arguing about some Biblical doctrine but very little, if any, action when it comes to “being about our Father’s business.” Those types of conversations are merely intellectual head-banging’s.
Empty speech is the number one way Facebook steals my identity as a Christian. It really doesn’t matter how much of the Bible I know and how accurate I am in my debates about it. The question is, am I living it? Am I actively engaging society? Am I getting dirty in leading people to Christ?
If I’m not. I may as well shut up on Facebook. That kind of inconsistency is what keeps unbelievers from following Christ.
4. We get too focused on ourselves
How many times have you looked at someone else’s profile and felt envy toward them? Or superiority? By comparing yourself with others, you show your self-focus. You end up trying to become something you actually aren’t.
Facebook is stealing your identity. There’s always the fear of what the owners of Facebook could do with your name, email address, chat conversations and pictures. But I’m more concerned about the way it’s stealing your identity as a person. A human being.
Social media is a great opportunity to influence high volumes of people, but don’t let it rob you of authenticity. Stay real. Don’t overdo it. You influence people the most by being you.
