10 Reasons We Should Escape Social Media (and Why We Don't)

The daily amount of time we spend on social media increases year by year. However, the more time we spend on the internet, the more we are inadvertently neglecting something else in life. Social media has become “one more thing” on our already full plates. And our balancing act is becoming more imbalanced as time goes on.

We don’t escape social media because we’re not comfortable with “space.” Any extra time we have in our day is usually consumed by online activity. The Bible teaches us to number our days that we might gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12) This is my prayer for all of us who struggle with the demands of social media.

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If you’ve spent much time on social media at all, you’ve probably heard the term FOMO. It is defined in the urban dictionary as the fear of missing out. There has become an almost insatiable desire to be included in every event that is happening within our internet circles. And when we aren’t included, we become anxious, worried, and even compulsive.

We don’t always recognize the anxiety that social media causes, because in some ways, we’ve begun to live vicariously through other people. Especially when we are discontent with our own lives, we become fixated on what everyone else is doing.

The apostle Paul shared in Philippians 4:11 that he learned how to be content in every situation. It is my prayer that we will learn to reduce anxiety and the fear of missing out by learning to be content in our own lives.

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What are the first words that come to mind when we think of the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Most of us would recite love, joy, and peace, right? But the last fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:23 is self-discipline.

Exercising self-discipline online is so important. Without limits, we are setting ourselves up for even more isolation and disconnection. The main reason we struggle is because social media has become an outlet for us. Not unlike an addiction, our online interactions feed into our fleshly desires. And the more we feed our flesh, the less we display the fruits of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)

My prayer is that we will take seriously the Spirit’s call to practice self-discipline in every area of our lives, including social media.

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Distraction is one of the enemy’s top ways to get us to lose focus on what matters most. We’d rather spend fifteen minutes before work on Facebook than in the Word of God. We feel the constant pull of social media, even when we are spending time with loved ones. Many of us have alerts for every platform so we don’t miss a single post.

Escaping social media to “be in the moment” is important for so many reasons. It lets people know that they matter. It allows us to fully enjoy gathering together. And most of all, it opens up more time to spend in God’s Word.

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:15-16

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Social media has trained our eyes to skim content rather than actually read something word-for-word. Because of the accessibility we have through social media, we are hesitant even to pick up a book and read. Articles, blog posts, and ebooks are easy to access, eliminating our desire to read for leisure.

Let’s get back to good, old-fashioned literature. Let’s turn off our screens and enjoy a book from beginning to end. Most of all, let’s open the Word of God and spend time reading the Scriptures.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

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How quick we are to turn to Google for answers or ask our online circles for advice. With just a few clicks, we can get information on just about anything. But in our search for answers, we often forget about the One who has the perfect answer for everything we need.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 NIV

Having time to commune with God is probably the most important reason to escape social media. Unfortunately, spending time in our “prayer closets,” has been replaced with quick, online prayers and on-the-go worship.

Let’s prioritize our day and make time for prayer and supplication.

…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…Ephesians 6:18 NKJV

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When caught up in the cycle of social media, hours can go by before we realize we’ve been pent up inside, sitting in the exact same position. Our phones and computers rob us of time spent outside in the fresh air and sunshine.

We get used to seeing posts about our friend’s vacation and vicariously feel like we’ve had a taste of the beach. We scroll through gardening posts and relish the sight of someone else working in their garden.

But images on social media can’t replace the good ole’ outdoors. In fact, too much time indoors is a recipe for poor health. Let’s escape social media and get outside to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation!

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Psalm 19:1 NKJV

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Have you ever asked the bagger at the grocery store how his day is going, only to be met with a “deer in the headlights” look? People aren’t used to engaging with each other. And they often don’t know how to respond when someone out-of-the-blue asks about their day. It’s sad, but true.

Unfortunately, the younger generation seems to be more comfortable online. Perhaps it’s because it eliminates awkward lags in conversation, or allows people to feel freer with their words. Whatever the case, escaping social media to actually connect with people will hopefully become a growing trend.

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 NKJV

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Whether people realize it or not, social media has become a subconscious indicator for security and acceptance. We rely on it for affirmation, but in the end, it only sets us up for disappointment.

The thing is, social media platforms have trained us to seek acceptance by the number of likes, comments or smiling emojis we receive. Instead of looking to God, who made us in His image, we look to our social networks for security.

Every person has an inner need to be accepted. Social media fuels that need. However, it cannot fulfill every person’s longing for unconditional love. Only God can offer the unwavering security we seek.

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 ESV

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In some ways, social media has given us permission to avoid putting feet to our faith. We falsely believe that encouraging words sent through an online platform somehow replaces physical acts of service. It’s easier to type a quick accolade than invest time and energy into helping others.

Let’s not grow lazy when it come to putting feet to our faith. Let’s take to heart James chapter 2 and be careful not to let our faith be without works. Ultimately, escaping social media in favor of service to others will not only be an outward display of our faith, it will build relationships with people.

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:15-17 NKJV

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