If you were raised by social interactions instead of social media, the ‘telephone game’ was likely a staple of your childhood. For those of you who chose TikTok over ‘tic tac toe’ with your childhood friends - this game might be unfamiliar. Either way, whether you’re young or just young at heart, the principles and lessons of the telephone game still apply to this current age.

As a brief overview, the telephone game is where a group of typically 5 or more people would gather, and one individual would come up with a statement. That individual would then whisper the statement to the person beside them. The person beside them, would then whisper it to the person beside them. This would continue until the last person in the chain would announce the statement that was passed through the group.

Typically, the game ends with the final person sharing something radically different than what the initial author actually said or meant. The group would break out in laughter, reconcile what was actually said, and the process would repeat itself.

Newsflash – some of ya’ll playing telephone with the devil and don’t even know it.

That iPhone that you love so much is sending you skewed messages that you’re far too willing to receive. That Samsung that you just bought is killing our group chat and sending you to the grave - all in the same breath.

If the Lord, our author, stated that I was wonderfully made – why do I feel so inadequate, frustrated, depressed, and confused after swiping through my morning feed? How is it that my follower count continues to go up, while my sense of self-worth continues to go down? Why is it that we’re more connect than ever – yet feel more isolated than ever?

Some of ya’ll playing with the devil through your telephone, and don’t even know it.

Social media has a seductive way of luring us in and whispering messages to us that often are not of God. It gently caresses our ear and whispers “you’re broke,” “you’re ugly,” “your life has no meaning,” “it’s too late,” “you’re not lovable,” “you’re not even likeable,” “you need more to be more” and so on. These lies are so subtly yet frequently shared that we begin to hear them in our own voices. Seeing it in our own minds. And believing it in our own hearts.

The objective of the enemy is to steal, kill and destroy. No wonder you walked away from your cell phone feeling empty, dead inside and crushed. Toggle over to your Bible App, and you’ll quickly learn that these passed around lies are not what our original author actually said or meant about us. Rather, they’re twisted interpretations that slithered into our feed, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to strike our hearts.

When social media whispers you’re broke, Proverbs 10:22 says:

The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

When social media whispers you’re ugly, Psalm 139:14 says:

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

When social media whispers your life has no meaning, Jeremiah 29:11 says:

For I know the plans I have for you” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

When social media whispers it’s too late, Habakkuk 2:3 says:

For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

When social media whispers you’re not lovable, Romans 5:8 says:

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

When social media whispers you’re not even likable, Romans 8:1 says:

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

When social media whispers you need more to be more, Mark 8:36 says:

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

And so on. And so on.

It’s 2023 ya’ll. I know we live in a digital and connected world - and I’m not saying that you have to go full Amish. But what I am here to tell you is that as someone who has essentially disappeared from social media (and been abundantly blessed because of it) – it’s time to put the phone down, and pick the truth up.

We’re in a season where it’s critical that we learn to guard our minds and shield our hearts.  

Reels are fun – but meditating on what’s real and true is better. The comment section can get lit – no doubt; but God’s commentary on the condition of your heart is more urgent. Memes may elicit a laugh – but understanding the meaning of your life elicits peace and purpose. You get my point.

Are you playing telephone with the devil? It may be time for you to block his calls and pick up your calling. 

- Gabriel