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Is Facebook fostering my scrupulosity, or am I using "scrupulosity" as an excuse to?
Is Facebook fostering my scrupulosity, or am I using "scrupulosity" as an excuse to shy away from professing Jesus?
I know in the Book of Mark it says anyone who is ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of when they are face to face with the Father and His angels (paraphrased). I feel that Facebook fosters my worries on this issue. I have posted Bible verses as statuses in the past, but today, for example, I went to wish someone a happy birthday and was going to say God bless you and the new baby, but opted out of doing so due to the thought that people are going to think I"m overdoing it after my frequent statuses or that many people would see it and snicker due to my past deeply secular beliefs. What deeply troubles me is the fact that a part of me was embarrassed or ashamed to add it into the birthday wish. What a shame considering how much God does for me and how close I felt to Him the other day; closer and more connected than I've ever felt in my life. What a way to repay the God that sacrifices everything for us.
BUT, I do believe it is possible to overdo it after awhile and turn people away or make people go from wanting to consider the faith that sustains you versus assuming, "alright, this kid has gone batty." I have been posting a lot of God statuses lately and it has likely turned a head or two considering how secular I was in the past. I'm not using this as an excuse for not saying God bless you to her, which I know I was afraid to say thinking others would snicker or think, "now this kid thinks he's holier than thou" or "oh please" or something similar.
My question is: When do I know if my OCD or scrupulosity is the enemy actually working against God's plan by causing me to be overly religious on Facebook to the point of turning people away, and when do I know when I'm using that thought as an excuse to hide the shear fact that a part of me is embarrassed or ashamed? And, could Facebook be a hinderance to my faith? I believe sometimes it is as it makes me question my dedication to God and whether or not I am full in faith based on my inclusion of God in daily statuses, or lack thereof. I asked God to help purge the enemies from my life, including Facebook, but I wonder if these actions prove that my faith is weak even though I would never be ashamed to say I believe in God to other people or share my testimony in person, or so I believe. I know Facebook is not a religious outlet, but I do like to talk to my friends about it sometimes on private chat and have posted statuses and liked "Jesus" on Facebook to show God I am not ashamed, although today was a pretty significant step backwards. This is why I am hating Facebook as I feel it is hurting my faith or standing in the long run.
I apologize for the rant. My question is: Am I in trouble and starting off this morning one step backwards? And, when do I know when I'm turning people off with too many statuses, too many religious posts? For example, do I attempt to undo today's damage by posting a religious status? When does it become too much, especially on a site like Facebook?
I don't meed to impose, but if anyone is willing, a prayer never hurt if anyone wants to send a prayer to help me know when to preach and to be overjoyed and yearn to speak the truth and the power of Jesus as opposed to being ashamed of the truth. Any prayer request anyone has please respond or inbox me and I will be happy to return the favor.
And thank you if you've read up to here. Sorry for the rant.
God bless you all and thank you for your responses. They help me out greatly.
Is Facebook fostering my scrupulosity, or am I using "scrupulosity" as an excuse to shy away from professing Jesus?
I know in the Book of Mark it says anyone who is ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of when they are face to face with the Father and His angels (paraphrased). I feel that Facebook fosters my worries on this issue. I have posted Bible verses as statuses in the past, but today, for example, I went to wish someone a happy birthday and was going to say God bless you and the new baby, but opted out of doing so due to the thought that people are going to think I"m overdoing it after my frequent statuses or that many people would see it and snicker due to my past deeply secular beliefs. What deeply troubles me is the fact that a part of me was embarrassed or ashamed to add it into the birthday wish. What a shame considering how much God does for me and how close I felt to Him the other day; closer and more connected than I've ever felt in my life. What a way to repay the God that sacrifices everything for us.
BUT, I do believe it is possible to overdo it after awhile and turn people away or make people go from wanting to consider the faith that sustains you versus assuming, "alright, this kid has gone batty." I have been posting a lot of God statuses lately and it has likely turned a head or two considering how secular I was in the past. I'm not using this as an excuse for not saying God bless you to her, which I know I was afraid to say thinking others would snicker or think, "now this kid thinks he's holier than thou" or "oh please" or something similar.
My question is: When do I know if my OCD or scrupulosity is the enemy actually working against God's plan by causing me to be overly religious on Facebook to the point of turning people away, and when do I know when I'm using that thought as an excuse to hide the shear fact that a part of me is embarrassed or ashamed? And, could Facebook be a hinderance to my faith? I believe sometimes it is as it makes me question my dedication to God and whether or not I am full in faith based on my inclusion of God in daily statuses, or lack thereof. I asked God to help purge the enemies from my life, including Facebook, but I wonder if these actions prove that my faith is weak even though I would never be ashamed to say I believe in God to other people or share my testimony in person, or so I believe. I know Facebook is not a religious outlet, but I do like to talk to my friends about it sometimes on private chat and have posted statuses and liked "Jesus" on Facebook to show God I am not ashamed, although today was a pretty significant step backwards. This is why I am hating Facebook as I feel it is hurting my faith or standing in the long run.
I apologize for the rant. My question is: Am I in trouble and starting off this morning one step backwards? And, when do I know when I'm turning people off with too many statuses, too many religious posts? For example, do I attempt to undo today's damage by posting a religious status? When does it become too much, especially on a site like Facebook?
I don't meed to impose, but if anyone is willing, a prayer never hurt if anyone wants to send a prayer to help me know when to preach and to be overjoyed and yearn to speak the truth and the power of Jesus as opposed to being ashamed of the truth. Any prayer request anyone has please respond or inbox me and I will be happy to return the favor.
And thank you if you've read up to here. Sorry for the rant.
God bless you all and thank you for your responses. They help me out greatly.