Does Facebook Destroy Marriages?

Facebook has had an eventful week. First, the company went public after being valued at $104 billion in an Initial Public Offering, making founder Mark Zuckerberg an instant multi-billionaire. Quite a few of the founding investors became millionaires overnight. Then Zuckerberg married his fiance in a surprise ceremony (the 100 or so guests thought they were attending a party to celebrate Priscilla Chan’s graduation from medical school). Almost as quickly as Facebook shares went up on the Nasdaq Exchange, they headed in the other direction. At the end of trading yesterday, they traded at $7 below their initial offering price, leaving most retail investors with big losses.

On top of all this, a new book and an article in Smart Money question whether Facebook wrecks marriages. Many lawyers contend that the social network adds to the large number of divorces. Over 80% of divorce attorneys in the U.S. say “they’ve seen a rise in the number of cases using social networking.” In the U.K., over a third of divorce filings last year mentioned Facebook. K. Jason Krafshy, who wrote Facebook and Your Marriage with his wife Kelli, wrote about the harsh reality of online romances: “Affairs happen with a lightning speed on Facebook.” He asserts that “It puts temptation in the path of people who would never in a million years risk having an affair.”

Even when Facebook doesn’t contribute to the breakup, attorneys use Facebook to gather evidence and help determine patterns of behavior. One attorney said that Facebook seems innocent and private. Therefore, people post incriminating evidence without really thinking.

What should we do in the face of all this?

First, we need to guard our hearts in every venue, whether online or off. Solomon reminded us that the heart is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23). What you allow in your mind will eventually show up in other ways.

Second, set up real barriers. You probably don’t want to “friend” an old girl friend or boy friend. If anything is “in doubt,” the rule is don’t do it. Most of us are not really as strong as we think. It’s best to set barriers that keep you from temptation.

Third, be vigilant. Watch yourself. Talk with your spouse. A good rule of thumb would be that you should spend more time with your spouse than you do online. I’m sure that my 8oo plus “friends’ won’t mind if I put a priority on my marriage–yours shouldn’t either.

We all know the internet is dangerous. Treat it like you would anything else that is dangerous–don’t put yourself in precarious places and watch out for yourself and others.

If you would like to receive my daily posts, you can subscribe to waylonbailey.com at the top of the page. Simply type in your email address, and click subscribe. It’s free and easy. When you receive a return email, confirm your desire to subscribe by clicking on the link.

Waylonbailey.com is my ministry across the Internet. I would appreciate your subscribing and also forwarding this and other posts to your friends. Thank you!

 

 

 

Share this post

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email

6 Responses

  1. For some of you guys that don’t get it because you are “bringing home the bacon” and you deserve to “act like a man.” You are making yourself a goat tied to a stake where the lion roams. You are making a cross cut with a rip saw without a guard. You are driving on bald tires off road in New Mexico where the scenery is to die for. And indeed you will end up lost in a dry and thirsty land. But, what is more important than your own soul is the example you are setting for your children and others whom you do not even know who think “you can do no wrong.” If you can do it, it must be okay. Congratulations, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Clinton! You all set a tone of being above God! Now 3 of the 4 of you have eternity with your momentary bliss consequences and your secrete is out.

    When I think I deserve more, I think of Dr. Roger Sterling’s wife who lost all feeling and motor control below her neck; and thank God for Roger and my wife (however she feels at the moment). Life is full of choices. Choose God! Romans 12: 1-3. Let the first Hundred Years be the hardest!

  2. Your gift Waylon for direct instruction tempered with tenderness is appreciated. It is hard to be offended by. “Guard your heart” is a frequent reminder in our family. We aren’t shy about a healthy jealousy defined as “fiercely protective or vigilant of one’s rights or possessions. (of God) demanding faithfulness & exclusive worship”. Jerry Jenkins’ book, Hedges: Loving Your Marriage Enough To Protect It, has made the rounds here. It’s geared towards men, but women beware also. Broken/severed marriages=broken/severed families. The cycle/hurt can continue for generations. Avoid the “only & what ifs” – FLEE (1 Corinthians 6:18) – it works!

  3. I wasn’t of the drop in the stock prices. Don’t know how I missed this one. But some news gets negative and old quick but not this. What an incredible story and an example of watching our hearts! Thanks Pastor Bailey.

  4. Not a week goes by that I don’t hear of someone who has been Facebooked. Thank you for writing about this alarming trend. The enemy is having a field day and does not even have to work too hard. But our God is able and I love seeing His victories when He restores and renews marriages that are completely surrendered to Him!

Leave a Reply to Glenn Canup Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *