In his book, Facing Leviathan, Mark Sayers discusses some of the hidden dangers associated with modern-day social media. He warns that, in our efforts to build a platform and maximize our influence, we sometimes “forget that we are communicating the gospel” rather than “broadcasting ourselves.”

We want the world to think well of us. Jesus requires a good example. We are “the light of the world” (Mt. 5:14). We are not to hide our light; but let it shine (Mt. 5:16). But, there is a difference between “shining our light” and “letting it shine.” Ours is a reflected light. Jesus is “the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12). We allow Him to shine through us as we follow Him in humble obedience. We shine “as lights in the world” as we “hold fast the word of life” (Ph. 2:15-16 cf. Ps. 119:105).

Our message is summed up in a single word, Christ. He must have “first place in everything” (Col. 1:18). We would do well to imitate the example of Paul who said, “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). Again, in 2 Corinthians 4:5, he says, “we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” We are receptacles of His light, not promoters of our own. He goes on to say, “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves…” (vss. 6-7).

Don’t get caught up in the frenzy of self-promotion. Solomon warned his son, saying, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger and not your own lips” (Prov. 27:2). In this regard, Mark Sayers asks two penetrating questions: “Would we be willing to believe that God chooses how far and wide our influence goes?” and “Are we happy to allow God to be our PR agent even if it is means a life of unrecognized service?”

We are ill-equipped to venture beyond an educated guess regarding the motives of those bent on a course of self-promotion. But, there is enough evidence that certain aspects of social media can promote a self-absorbed and self-centered life that we must protect ourselves and make sure that Christ is the constant focus of our lives and that He is the One we are truly promoting (Ph. 1:21; Gal. 2:20).