Christian view of Facebook

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What biblical principles would you recommend to a pastor or church leader to instruct their congregation about a Christian approach to the use of social network sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace?

Social networking sites are a gift from the Lord.

God is our creator and the maker of what we see around us.  We benefit from nature, music,  technology and the social networking sites on the internet.  As Paul comments,   "All things are yours" (1Cor. 3:21) and we can freely enjoy them.

Beware,  there are dangers

Paul also warns that dangers exist even amongst legitimate things in the world,  "'I have the right to do anything,' you say--but not everything is beneficial" (1Cor.  6:12).     

• Being robbed of time.  Time flies when we are in front of the computer,   and unfortunately it can be time badly used.  In contrast to that the Bible says that we should make  "the most of every opportunity because the days are evil" (Eph 5:16)
• Being deceived.  The nature of Satan is that of a deceiver:   "that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray." (Rev 12:9  cf.  Gen.  3:1-7).   He's active on the Internet and it is possible for Christians to be deceived on social networking sites.   Care is needed,   especially in dealing with members of the opposite sex.

There's an even better social network!

At times the apostles had to write to those whom they did not know personally (cf.  Rom. 1:10).   But they realized that the best form of relationship was not a long distance one,  but a personal encounter.  So John says,  "I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete" (2Jo 1:12  cf.  3 Jn 1:13, 14;  Rom.  15:23,24,28).  The better way for social networking is through Starbucks rather than Facebook.