I have a secret Twitter account. I don’t follow anyone and no one’s following me. I’m not even sure if I still remember my password because I haven’t logged on for months. 

What’s the account for? Well, for one, I use it for memories of very private thoughts. Second, it accounts for thoughts that I felt the need to immediately dump somewhere. 

What I do today demands for me to intentionally watch what I post online. And it’s not because people told me so, but because I know that my social media platforms not only serve my interests but anything I post can potentially affect others in positive or negative ways.

Like everyone else, if you search my heart today, you will find a lot of things that prove that I am very much in need of God’s grace. There are heart issues that are at times reflected on my private and public social media accounts. The things I post, repost, and even those that I silently agree with are reflections of the contents of my heart. 

There are many valid reasons why it’s okay to have different social media accounts. No one can stop us from creating new ones every day if we want to. I have noticed that we use social media apps differently. How we use Facebook and Instagram is very different from how we post content on Twitter. We’re well aware of who we’re connected to among these apps, and we know exactly where to hide certain posts. 

In my experience, we use Twitter to air out our unfiltered thoughts on what we are currently doing, our opinions on certain issues, our frustrations and our criticisms that can make us all feel toxic. The sad thing is that people misuse this power and privilege to gang up or bash someone online. But remember, any kind of power and privilege when used in a wrong way can cause damage to people—sometimes, irreversible damage. 

But because we know that we are a people with God-given purpose, our aim is to use our power and privilege so that we can become the generation that God has called us to be. This is why we need to guard and observe our interactions and motivations in using our social media accounts.

Rather than giving strict and unrealistic guidelines on how to manage our social media accounts, let’s simply look at when it is not beneficial to us:

1. When you’d rather post about an issue than talk about it with God or with someone.

Because social media is very accessible, it’s easy to let our hearts out on these platforms rather than deal with our issues and struggles personally with the help of people who are very much willing to journey with us. Yes, it will sometimes feel awkward and will take more effort to ask someone to help you deal with your heart issues especially if it’s your first time.

Social media is not beneficial when it’s used as an escape or a dumpsite for thoughts and emotions that are best processed with God or with someone. We all face difficult, frustrating, and even confusing situations. But anything that is left unchecked by God has the potential to take root in our hearts and corrupt us. 

Isn’t this why we’re placed in communities? Virtual communities have their benefits, but we’re not designed by God to only exist there. We need authentic communities and relationships. We need people who will speak into our lives and process our issues with us in real-time. 

Is there anyone in your life that is helping you deal and process your heart issues today?

It’s never too late to open up your life to someone who can help you see your situation the way God sees it.

2. When our opinions become someone else’s standard for truth.

You might say, “Well, that’s on them. I have the freedom to post whatever I want.” Trust me, I get that and so do you. Social media has become a freedom wall for anyone’s opinions, regardless if their posts are true and helpful or false and harmful.

Since this is our reality today, don’t you think it’s also dangerous to be so receptive of others’ opinions that they can eventually become our truth as well? Especially if those are amplified by how famous the person who said it is or how many people agree with it. Could it be that the people we follow and subscribe to are influencing us to believe things that are contrary to what the word of God says, things that are rooted in lies?

People are already confused, lost, in pain, unmotivated, and without hope. What’s worse? Many are succeeding in the wrong things. The world of social media is already loud with different voices of people fighting with spears crafted by words, wounding hearts that bleed and seek to retaliate. If our words are indeed like spears, shouldn’t we have a better aim and use them responsibly?

Remember, if you’re a Christian, you are the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13–16). 

We are called to be a generation that influences the world according to the Word, to be reflectors of the Light—Jesus Christ—to those in darkness. 

Today, social media is no longer just about apps that allow us to connect with others. It’s affecting many lives and it has the power to change the atmosphere of the times. Have as many social media accounts as you want, but I hope that when you go online you become salt and light—a different voice, one who changes the atmosphere for the better. 

Use your freedom to help others experience freedom as well. The only way to do that is if you process the details of your life first with God and with His people.