3 Ways Facebook is a Secret Assassin!! And How to Give it the 5 Finger Death Punch!!

I remember when Facebook first came out. A friend brought it up to our little group and said we should join because Myspace had just become too weird. I gotta admit I liked it a lot better.

So everyone was hopping on this thing. It was just like the movie where it seemed like thousands of people were joining every day. And for years now you've told everyone, "It's just an easy way for me to connect with friends and family across the world."

But let's get real, there are some real ways it is stealing your life from you. When I say life, I don't just mean a duration of time you are on this earth, I mean the actual quality of it as well.

So here are 3 ways Facebook, and social media, is killing you:

#1: It is sucking you into the Matrix!

That's right! Remember how in the movie Neo goes back in and it is slightly noticeable, not really until they point it out, that this is not the real world? Social media feeds you this semi-real world that makes you feel somehow like life is slightly more exciting or important. All of a sudden, I matter because I can know everything about everyone and can comment on it too. So we stay in it for longer because it feels more comfortable.

Did you know that you should only share your goals with those you intend on being accountable to? Studies show that sharing your goals produces the same effects in the brain as actually attaining them, which means sharing them too much can keep you from achieving them. Watch how much you share on social media!

I could pretty much play each item on my list into this, but we will keep it down to the fact that as long as you feel this way, they will keep you on longer and make more money. Meanwhile, real life and relationships are passing you by.

#2: It is bringing your enemies to the party!

"Justin, you're paranoid." Am I?.....Am I? If I wanted to assassinate you, I would hire some really good mercs and get them to befriend you. Once they got in with you...WHAM! Just like a mafia hit you didn't see coming. You're on like, "Oh, here's this guy from high school. And I met her at a work conference. And..." You start befriending them all. Pretty soon, you are wasting your time looking at things they put on their newsfeed simply because it is put in front of your face.

Another way this happens is that you like every page that has anything to do with anything you have ever done. Now your newsfeed has more news, about nothing you are presently involved with I might add, than you will ever know what to do with.

One of the easiest ways to keep you from accomplishing your mission, and what you enjoy, is by giving you something to distract you, something that is somewhat enjoyable, comfortable.

#3: It gets you to kill your allies!

One of our biggest downfalls in Western society is that we think and say, think and say. We feel important because we can talk a lot. Social media just increases this because we are a lot bolder when we don't actually see people or show our faces.

Some controversial topic pops up on your newsfeed and someone disagreed with you. All of a sudden, you become the world's biggest avenger. Forget the fact that you have never done anything for your community in your life. The other people never have to know that. You can seem like you are the biggest activist out there..."Oh you just think you're smart 'cuz you know words!" Pretty much.

Pretty soon, you have killed relationships with people you see on a regular basis in order to stick your ground with people you rarely, if ever, have face to face time with. An easy way to kill you, is to take out your friends around you.

Quick Ways to 5 Finger Death Punch Your Assassins:

1. Limit your friends list.

I have been doing this and it doesn't feel nearly as bad as I thought it would. Personally, I am not one of those who just knocks people off the list for no reason. People who continually want to argue on mine or other people's pages are the main ones. I don't care if you and I have the same viewpoint on the topic. The Apostle Paul told us to warn a divisive man once, then twice, but after a third time have nothing to do with him; you can be sure he is wicked. It's a pride thing; that person only wants to hear people tell them they are right.

2. Limit your news feed.

Likewise, I have shortened my news feed lately. I don't need to see everybody's business. I keep it only to those I truly have a connection with, whether we have actually known each other, had good talks, or have similar interests. It is rare for me to have someone on my news feed that doesn't fit into those categories.

3. Remember It's Public, But Not Real, But Has Real Consequences.

Public forums are not your place to have a real discussion about a real topic. The only thing I will do on controversial feeds is affirm good aspects of a person. A wise man once said, "Never correct publicly someone to whom you have private access."

When I think about the political debates on Facebook that cause people to say wicked things to one another, my main thought is that these people are allowing politicians and business men, people they never see, to destroy relationships within their real community whom they see everyday.

4. Remember Real People In Your Actual Community Can't Be Replaced.

One of the draws of social media can be that it offers the feel of socializing without actually having to be around people. But those people can't actually offer a hug or a helping hand from their mother's basement. People care much more about what you actually do than what you virtually say.

5. Decide To Be A Light...Even Virtually.

Even when we are online we have to remember that we are the light of the world. "Arise and shine!" Find ways that you can actually contribute and bring life on the Internet rather than simply taking up space or hurting others. It can simply be encouraging others. But why would you waste your time if you don't want to contribute? You are trading time in the real world for time in the virtual...you might as well make it count. "The Kingdom is not a matter of mere words, but of power"....But..."You have the power of life and death in your words."

That's it! I could easily say, "Watch what you look at and how much time you spend", but I feel these take care of those. Realize how powerful you are today. You were made in the image (aka you are a shadow, reflection, or ghost) of God! And He came so you might have life and have it abundantly!