The term "friendship" today is used very loosely. On many social networking sites, we are invited to confirm people as our "friends." This confirmation usually grants them acces to our profiles and other personal information. As a result, we can see commentary and photos that are uploaded by our friends onto these websites. This can prove to be quite an experience!
As more of us become connected, we may receive requests from people that we may not actually know, but have some mutual friends or other common interests. These sites can become awesome tools of reaching beyond our geographic locations to share common ideas, activities, and encouragement. If done correctly, this allows the Body to become more jointly fit together.
Many dance ministries are becoming acquainted online. On the other hand, we may meet someone at a conference or other ministry gathering, and then find them online to remain connected. With growing technology, we are able to stay in contact and updates for a few seconds a day instead of a several minute (or hour) phone call. Information dissemination can happen quickly and easily.
The danger for us lies in the temptation to relentlessly promote our events and happenings without thought of the extended ramifications. I have personally been "tagged" in photos and videos that I am in no way present in or connected to. Being tagged will usually lead someone to see the referenced item. Imagine my surprise when upon several occasions, I was in no way affiliated with the subject!
Why is this happening? People often tag videos with the names of popular people to drive "visitors" to the video or website. Maybe the people promoting the subject wanted to make sure that I saw the image or video link? I believe that we must walk in truth. If we are posting images and videos and do a little "creative advertising" to get people to take a look, we are in effect, lying.
Must we use one another without permission to promote our own agendas? Are we requeting people as "friends" only to enlarge our advertising bases? Do we gather friends to brag about how many people we have on our social networking pages, and then use them as marketing tools? People who use people soley for gain are not true friends. Let us continue to walk in integrity at all times, and not get caught up in the ways of the world around us...
New King James Version
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
2 Corinthians 4:2
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Galatians 5:13
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
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