We Feed on What We Follow

924. That’s how many accounts I follow on Instagram. I enjoy following pages about everything from home décor and cooking, to homeschooling, motherhood, Christianity, and fashion.
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I remember a few years ago my friends referring to Instagram as their “happy place” on the internet. Now that the platform has grown and influencers are everywhere, I feel like it’s changed; instead of being a happy place, it seems like there’s a lot of noise, just like on the other social media platforms.

​As a former Social Media Manager, I’ve enjoyed a fair amount of time in that sphere, both for work and for pleasure. However, just like any place on the internet, there can be a lot of opposing views, conflicting data, 1,000 healthy brownie recipes, and opinions of all kinds.

Truth be told, I don’t know very much about the 924 accounts I’m following. But I do know that what or whom we choose to follow can lead us to truth, or the twisting of it. I say “twisting” because sometimes the lies are subtle, and if we don’t recognize lies for what they are, they become intertwined with the truth. That’s when all the “noise” can make us feel overwhelmed and confused.

As Christians, it is imperative that we correctly handle the word of truth. And I think that’s increasingly important in our current culture. We have become a culture obsessed with influence, personality, fame, likes, and follows. It’s natural to want to follow someone whom we admire. Our challenge is to follow the Gospel of Christ versus the gospel of a personality.

Our ultimate goal should be to become more like Christ— not someone else. In Malachi chapter 2, we read that “the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge.” If we are following messengers of the Lord to instruct us, we also need to be rightly dividing the knowledge they profess. Is it in line with God’s truth? Do they preach the gospel, or push their personality? 2 Timothy 2:15 requires me to periodically take stock of what I’m following, because after all, I feed on what I follow.
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I enjoy following encouraging and beautiful accounts on Instagram, and social media can be a helpful resource when used with caution.  But I also know how easy it is to “follow” without following through to vet the sources that influence us. Let’s challenge ourselves to hold the modern day Priests to the standard of God’s truth. Ask God to give you discernment when you read a post or comment about Him and His word.
 
Even in “happy places,” we need to be on the lookout for twisting of half-truths. Make it a point this week to pray about the feeds you follow, and ask God to fill your heart and mind with His truth.

About the Author

My name is Audra Powers and I'm a wife and stay-at-home mom to three young children in the high desert of Albuquerque, New Mexico. My hobbies include hiking, playing guitar and thrifting! I love writing about faith, family and living motherhood empowered.

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