Today I found myself trying to remember a time when we didn’t have Facebook or Instagram. It feels like we have always had these social media companies in our lives. As I scroll through my feed, I see so many photos of people, food, home decor, children, pets, vacations, etc. There is always the line of sharing with family and friends because you want to be connected and share the things happening in your life to keep up-to-date, and sharing in the attempt of getting attention, value, identity from said sharing. Often the line is blurred. It’s too easy with our prideful nature to not fall to temptation at times. The sad truth is as we find ourselves leaning on our views, likes, and comments from people in response to posting something to make ourselves look important, we miss our true value. In doing so, we sell ourselves short.
In Romans 12:3, we read: “God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem (TPT).” This is a warning about the dangers of pride. We are told to empty ourselves of self-promotion. We are told to not create a false image of importance. What happens too often on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms? We do just that. We try to stand out, to get attention, to promote ourselves. We create a false image of importance. Look at me— I’m eating steak and you are not. I’m at a the beach and you are not. I have all of my children all dressed in matching outfits and your kids just finger-painted on the walls. I got my nails done. My kid did awesome things for me. I have finished this project.
Don’t miss the point here. These posts are not the issue. There is something bigger at play — You! God has a real image of you. It is SO MUCH better than the fake image you share with others. He has already said who you are and He calls you by name. To Him, you are already important. You don’t even have to post a thing. You are important. You are valuable. This verse is telling us to not miss our true value. It is a great reminder that we need to be real with each other, but most importantly, with ourselves. We need to remember what God says about us and that will be our standard measurement. We will have our self-esteem rooted in Him.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t post vacation pictures, or any of the others for that matter. It’s okay to connect with family and friends. It’s okay to share your life. It’s okay to share your joy with others. As you consider this verse today, ask the Spirit to help you to navigate what is self-promotion and what is simply sharing. Ask Him to remind you of your true value. Honestly assess your worth. You are made for more my friend! Don’t settle for less. Live out what God has for you!
Tania Gutekunst 