Bible Points

I just read through Ephesians chapters 4-6 and was thinking about the social media “influencers” on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. On TikTok, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of life coaches who give “free” advice on love, dating, and relationships. They drop episodes such as, “How to Know if He is Cheating on You” or “How to Get Her to Trust You Again.” Some of these people use the Bible to influence their followers and, in my opinion, get them addicted to watching their channel and coming back for more “crack” or advice. You must know these channels are monetized and have advertising, so the more views they get, the more these influencers get paid.

I think it gets to the point where the viewer gets addicted to these influencers and no longer thinks or discerns for themselves. He or she no wisdom of their own… only the wisdom of the world that James says is “earthly, natural, and demonic” (3:15). The apostle goes on in verse 16 to say, “where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing”.

There is nothing wrong with seeking counsel. The Bible teaches that we should “stimulate one another to love and good deeds” and “encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25), yet this doesn’t mean we should settle to be spoon-fed each day from people who may not even know Jesus Christ as their Savior and King. While some of these influencers may be Christians, they may not be qualified teachers of God’s Word. James also warns, “Let not many of you be teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such you will incur a stricter judgment” (3:1).

In Ephesians chapter six, Paul exhorts his readers toward their responsibility to aggressively pursue their spiritual obligation to be “strong in the Lord and the strength of His might.” These Christians weren’t to be spoon-fed. They weren’t to be clothed and diaper-changed by others. They were to aggressively participate in the battle for their own sanctification by putting on the full armor of God (vs. 11). Preparing for war is something believers are supposed to do. It is not the responsibility of another to do it for you; certainly not a social media producer or influencer. Believers are to resist and stand firm against the world, forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness (i.e., the devil and his demons). (vss. 11-13)

Ephesians 6:10-18 teaches that is the believer’s responsibility to gird himself with truth and righteousness and the Gospel. He or she is to appropriate the weapons of warfare: the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

This exhortation from Scripture to the follower of Jesus Christ looks much different than one holding a smartphone and watching a succession of TikTok videos on relationships—like “how to deal with a cheating spouse.”