The apostle Paul spends a moment in the verse about clearing up for the church a comment he had made to them at an earlier time. He had instructed them to not to "associate" with people who are immoral. Time passed, and Paul was beginning to receive reports that the church was tolerant of gross immorality within its own ranks. Paul says his instructions were not to avoid unbelievers who were behaving in an ungodly manner...that would be like avoiding dogs who bark or cars with horns. His instructions were to cut off associate with believers who...well, you can read the list above of yourself. It's pretty clear.
In terms of Facebook, there are two sets of people to look at on your friends lists. The first would be acquaintances who are not believers in Jesus. They probably act and talk as they "should" given their current state of belief. The Bible says you once behaved like this, too, before you came into the light (see Ephesians 5:8). These people, as long as they are not posting obscene pictures or clogging your news feed with profanity, are okay to keep around. They should be before your eyes and on your heart so you can bring them before God in prayer.
The second set of people for you to consider are professing believers. Their use of Facebook should be held to a different standard. If your friends who claim to be Christians are using Facebook as a vehicle for engaging in sexual inappropriateness, idolizing the wicked adventures of certain celebs, or dishonoring God's holiness, you need to unfriend. This is not an invitation to chew them out online (see yesterday's devo) or to be snarky to them at school. It is a call to protect God's holy name. He is zealous for it, and it's time we get some backbone as well!
Action Step
Clean up your friends list, but not until you have bathed this in prayer. Do you have the guts to stand with God for holiness in his church?
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