The internet is a wonderful means of communication, connection, and information. We use it for fun, school, and our jobs. As teenagers we need to be aware of some of the potential risks the internet poses when used unwisely or inappropriately. In Part II of a three-part series from the Boston Teen Ministry, we encourage teens to guard their hearts online.

Be on Your Guard: Spiritual Internet Safety

Social Networking Sites (ie. MySpace & facebook)

There are many benefits to these sites, but there can also be some powerful temptations with severe spiritual consequences.

Keep Your GUARD UP!

1Peter 5:8-9 (msg)

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to

catch you napping. Keep your guard up.

Guard Your Hearts

Proverbs 4:23(NLT)

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Guard Your Lips & Mouths (even your typing fingers)

Psalm 141:3

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Proverbs 13:3 (NLT)

Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

Proverbs 21:23

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

Be on GUARD for temptation in the two following areas of our on-line life:

The Truth

On-line we have the opportunity to represent ourselves in anyway we choose; which presents a

strong temptation to portray ourselves in a less than truthful way.

In order to dwell with God, we must be honest.

Psalm 101:7

No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.

Ask Yourself:

Am I old enough to be on these sites?

Am I being authentic/real about who I really am?

Am I trying to impress others? “Why…”

What image am I trying to convey? Why?

When people read my blogs, surveys, see my profile picture and albums, or listen to my music do they see the real me or someone, I think, others want me to be?

We must Be Honest with Who We Really Are.

Our Security

We all have a desire to be liked and accepted. This can become unhealthy when we are controlled

by what others think about us.

Ask Yourself:

In whose hands does my security lie?

How do I feel when nobody comments on my wall for a day or two?

What if nobody says anything about my new picture?

Do I go “fishing” for comments and not feel content until someone notices them?

What does this say about my security?

Why is it so important for me to attract attention to myself, to my body?

Why does attention and popularity mean so much to me?

What is the fulfillment that I get? How long does it last?

What is keeping me from feeling secure and good enough just the way I am?

Where does my security come from?

What does God say about our Security?

Females

1 Peter 3:3-5 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the

wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the

holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.

Males

1 Samuel 16:7 the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have

rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward

appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

God looks at the heart!

Ask Yourself:

Is God is more concerned about what’s on my “page” or what’s going on inside my heart?

Do I believe that the image I portray is not as important as who I am?

Does who I am influence what goes on my “page”?

What does my “page” say about my security…

Do I care more about what God thinks of me or what people think of me?

How much time and energy am I spending on my “outward on-line” appearance vs. my heart?

Do I need to have the coolest page, or the most friends, or the most comments to feel secure?

Would God be happy to be one of my facebook or MySpace friends? Can I confidently say, yes?

How can we get security from God?

Matthew 7:24-27 Build our image on the rock, not on sand.

Rock = protection, security, stable

Sand = emotional, always changing

Remember: God’s opinion matters most!

John 14:6

I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus is the only way to Heaven; why be worried about what other people think of us?

GET HONEST and BE REAL about these struggles in our lives.

Find value and security in what God values and in who he created us to be.

Ask Yourself:

Who am I living to please?

Do I value what God values?

Take Action: Guard your heart! Do not get too comfortable on-line. Guard one another! Send each other a private message or give a call when we see others tempted to not be truthful or if it seems that they are not reflecting security in God.