Finding Jesus In TechnologyНамуна

When you’ve been hacked 

On Facebook, it’s easy to tell when your friend’s account has been hacked. You go from seeing family photos and funny stories to being tagged in an offensive video that tells you, “You won’t believe this! It will blow your mind!” That’s when you reach out to let your friend know it’s time to change her password. 

Isn’t it interesting that the person who was hacked always says thanks and then sends a post apologizing and letting people know she’s taken steps to secure her account?

In our personal lives, it’s easy to tell when our friends’ lives have been hacked by temptation and brokenness. People who used to walk closely with God are falling away and are making choices inconsistent with God’s good plans. Just like we reach out after a social media hacking, the Bible tells us to reach out to the people we care about. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently” (Galatians 6:1).

You know what, though? People will react far more defensively about this kind of intervention than they will about a social media account. But that doesn’t let you off the hook. God says it is an act of love to say, “Hey, the messages you’re sending are different than who you really are. Don’t give the Devil, the world, and your bad nature freedom to wreak havoc. Change your password.”

“Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).