Facebook: The “Ex” Factor…Read On

Do you like social media? Well personally, I would say that I’ve actually grown to really like it. I will admit though at one time, I told my husband that I was not going to fool around with it, because it seemed like it could be addictive. Yet lo and behold, after giving it a whirl myself, I really began to like connecting with my new followers on Twitter and LinkedIn. And I thoroughly enjoy chatting with my family, friends, and fans on Facebook. It’s just a great tool for communicating with others globally, while also promoting the gospel through my weekly blog. However, how many of you also know that even with all of this great connectivity, we still have to be careful of how far we go with it, and what we allow to take place in our social activity? And that’s why today, I’m honing in on …The “Ex” Factor.

Now, some of you may know where I’m going with this, and some of you may not, but nonetheless, I have to go here. I mean, as we enter our cyber world accounts each day, we have to continually guard our hearts and minds, because you just never know what will pop up. Right? Someone may post something provocative on your timeline, or you might get a negative post from someone, or you might just happen to get an ex-boyfriend or so trying to re-connect with you. Hmm…Has this ever happened to you? I believe it happens to a lot of people… I know that it has definitely happened to me. So let’s go a little deeper.

I’ll never forget the time when one of my ex guy friends whom I was heavily involved with many years ago tried to in-box me on Facebook. Now, I knew exactly who he was, because he had his own special introduction for me. Nonetheless, immediately, there was a red flag that flew up in my mind. I knew that I couldn’t entertain this, so I just kept it strictly business, and I told my husband about it quickly. Not only that, but I was accountable with a friend who actually sat with me as I answered his reply. I have to mention here, that I was new to Facebook at the time, so it really threw me off guard when I saw it. But thank God for the Holy Spirit quickening me to handle it that way. We really have to watch the enemy, because he's definitely watching us! The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith..." (NLT)

My husband and I have been married for 11 years now, and we have an agreement that if any of our exes try to contact us on Facebook, Twitter, or any other way, that we will not accept their friend request or notion. But don’t you know that the enemy has a way of sneaking his way in through other means. Hint! Like your in-box. They’ll just send you a personal message these days. Crazy isn’t it?! It’s gone as far as another one of my ex’s wife trying to friend me. Is that not even more crazy? When I saw it, I was like, “Why would his wife try to friend me?” May I add that this was someone who was very close to my heart a long time ago! So with that being said, I exposed the enemy’s plan once again and I brought it to my husband and asked him what he thought about it. He told me, “No way, because if you are friends, then she will be posting all of their pictures and statements where you will continually see him in your news feed, which will then bring back old thoughts and memories.” Ah-ha! So there it was…here comes the enemy again! ACCESS DENIED!

Praise the Lord!

Listen sis, I have to go here today, because God cares about us too much. He wants us to guard our minds, actions, and especially our hearts…even as it relates to our social media accounts, like Facebook. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” Relationships affect our hearts, right? So we have to be on guard as I’ve mentioned earlier.

If you are married or in a committed god-ordained relationship, I encourage you today…do not entertain the enemy’s attempts to destroy everything that’s important to you and God. Instead, expose him. If someone in-boxes you from the past, don’t entertain it (even if it’s someone that you know God already told you “No” about-for those who are waiting on the right godly one). It’s important to be accountable to someone also. This keeps iniquity at bay! And don’t dig up old bones (meaning researching old flames). It's a waste of time and I believe it displeases God, especially for those of us who are married. Actually, if I could give this activity one word, I would say that it’s shear….temptation. So no matter how tempting, I would say, "Don’t give into it, and don’t think you’re strong enough to deal with it alone." First Corinthians 10:12-13, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.” (NLT).

There it is! He will always provide a way of escape. The key here is that we acknowledge the escape route and follow the right path.

Now, if you have engaged in any of this activity, I encourage you to quickly repent and ask God to forgive you, because it’s just not worth hurting you, others, or the Lord. Also, if you know someone that is struggling in this area, be an accountability partner and pass this post along to help them. God is faithful to forgive. Christ is our greatest intercessor, and we have the Holy Spirit as our guide helping us to make the right decisions. So with that being said, keep this in mind and hide these words in your heart...“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

May God keep you and bless you my sister…in all things! Love ya!

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s get ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

P.S.

Here’s a great link for a song dealing with this particular issue. The words are powerful! The name of the song is entitled, "Curious" by Andy Mineo. Click here to listen now… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdZexeVqHAY. Remember...curiosity killed the cat!

Thanks for reading! Like, comment, or share it! You can also “Like” my Facebook Page here or by clicking this link…http://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye. Also feel absolutely free to leave a comment here! I’d love to get your feedback! I pray that God will continue to enlighten you to live for Him through His Word in your daily life. Stay tuned for new blog posts every Monday at 7:30am on Inside Out with Courtnaye @  www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org.  Also, follow me on Twitter by inoutwcourtnaye. Thanks again![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]