Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Internet Chat Rooms

In the next few weeks, I want to cover many topics of entertainment. This will cover topics such as, internet activity, television and music. My hope is to inspire many of you to take the time to consider how you spend your free time. What things to you fill your void with?

Psalms 101:2-3
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Today, we will cover the internet chat room.

I was taken back with this research. To complete my research I had to actually jump into a chat room, just to see what it was all about. So I decided to go into a “Christian” chat room.

Upon entering, I saw many things that I saw displeasing.
1. Professing Christians using God’s name in vain.
2. I saw people trying to fire them up, just to trip them up and make them argue.
3. I saw Christians name calling of the ones that obviously came in for a fight.

Those are but a few of the many things that grieved my heart. I sat and watched not typing a word. However, I knew I could not leave the room without saying something, but what?

There was no conversation about Jesus and the grace that forgives sin. I must admit to feeling guilty of even sitting before a chat room.

I then asked them why they were arguing over pointless things, when one of the trouble makers was quick with words to me. I could not help but roll my eyes and type in a quick thank you, and how they were a sweetie. Well, what was next was amazing..as they thanked me.

My response, “And that folks demonstrates how a soft answer turns away wrath.”
From there, I left as I felt my research was completed.

Now with that said, I want to break down the chat room for you.


1. When you enter a chat room, one thing is certain, everyone has a cool name to represent what they want you to see of them. Their name is their identity.
2. There is ALWAYS 1 or 2 people that control and lead the room. Their mood and demeanor will control how the room goes. If they feel down and depressed, the room will be down and depressed all the same. People work to please these people.
3. You will have lurkers that come in just to watch. Make no mistake, the regulars are checking out their profile to see just WHO they are.
4. Once you’re a regular you will be greeted with “cyber hugs” a cyber hug looks much like this. (((((your name here)))))

There are many dangers in a chat room. I want to share with you many here.
1. People can be who and what they want to be. I have seen the old be young, the young be older. Basically in the net, you can who and what you want to be, of which you can not be in real life.
2. If it sounds too good be true, it often is. For instance, a professional model will not spend 10+ hours a day on the internet.
3. Many people find victims on the internet. It is easy to feel connected to someone you have never met in real life. I have seen marriages and friendships dissolve because someone has met another on the internet. You may think you are too strong for this, and that it will never happen to you. HOWEVER… you got to remember, no one jumps on the internet thinking they will be a victim.
4. People are not as they seem. Many people have lost lives to meeting people on the internet. I once read of a man that abducted a girl that decided to meet her internet friend. Praise God she was found. If you do a search on internet related crimes it can be a very dangerous way of meeting friends. NOTE: I am not saying that everyone is a fraud on the internet. I have met a few wonderful people in that way and plan on keeping them close friends for a lifetime.


Another awful thing I am seeing is Christians using the internet to find new ways of fornication. Let me tell you one thing.. GOD REVEALS SIN! Even those awful things you decide to do on the internet. Be it looking at pornography, or flirting.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

I want to give you all a word of caution of a chat room. You may not think right now that the worse can and will happen to you, but there is no new sin… none… nada!!

Remember our opening verse….

Psalms 101:2-3
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Ask yourself, are you behaving wisely, in a perfect way. Are you doing things in a perfect heart? Are you turning away from what is wicked as well as the works of them that are wicked?

Always remember, God is watching ALL you do. He knows your heart. He knows your very thoughts.

4 comments:

Phyllis said...

I find chat rooms a very dangerous place to be. You can not control what is being said or done in those places. You will hear and see things that a decent person should not hear or see. Filth runs in there like words. Very nasty. I got into one one time and man at the stuff that came thru there. I was shocked that people would put something like that on the air for the whole world to see. Chat rooms are just plain filthy.
The devils playground for sure.

Jeff said...

Hi Paula. Since you don't have an email I can reach you at, I need to comment on your unfriending me. This is Jeff Ede. Anyways, I do appreciate all the help you gave me, but I do feel you were a little bit too critical. I very much feel alcohol is very bad and really feel just like you about it. It's just that, in a game where alcohol is not real, I don't really think it's that big of deal and no, I would say you're wrong, it does not make me crave it in real life. Sad to say, I have a brother who drinks and I've tried to get him to quit and he won't. He's a Christian. So you see, people are at different levels and you need to show more love and compassion with those who differ from you. It's true, I'm not radical like you, I consider myself a normal Christian. Average. My brother knows where I stand concerning drinking. That's it's a sin. But I sure wouldn't confront him about it like the way you confronted me. Like I said, try showing more love and compassion and not being overly critical. That would be my advice to you. God bless and have a good day.

Phyllis said...

Jeff-

My name is Phyllis and I am one of the administrators on this blog.

I always read what is on here and I am gathering just from your comments that you are having an issue about the fake world of make believe. IE..games. Well, let me tell my point of view. The devil does NOT have any boundries. Fake or real. He attacks everywhere that we open a door. For ex.. games, computer, tv, books, fake or real. Drinking in a game is just opening a door for reality. Your mind and the devil does not know the difference. Only the Holy Spirit. I personally think that you need to adjust your role playing games to things that will NOT open the door for satan. This is a battle between good and evil and whether you know it or not your life needs to show it in play and in real.

As for Paula being critical, dude you have no idea. You haven't even touched the tip of it yet. She is who she is and she is very adament about her beliefs. She is very strong in her beliefs and she expects everyone to respect that, and I suggest that you do to. This is her calling and I respect her opinion even if it differs from mine, which at times it does but...that doesn't mean that she is overbearing. Please respect her in her opinion. If it is wrong to do those things in real life, it is wrong to do them in the virtual life as well. Your walk with God should be reflected in EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. There should be NO lines drawn in your walk or belief with God. There is NO such thing as a "normal/average" Christian. You are either ALL or nothing. The Bible says that you are either hot or cold but NOT lukewarm as God will spew you out of his mouth. Apostle Paul says we are to HATE the sin and yet love the sinner. You need to exam yourself and find out what you are all about. You are way too old for this kind of thing. The Bible also says that when you are a child, you speak as a child and when you become a man you act like a man.

I think you really need to go talk to John Muncy about your opinions and thoughts. I read all of the facebook comments that you made on Paula's wall and I really think that you need a man's point of view. As for Paula blocking you, that is her right to do so. She must have a Biblical reason for doing so. A woman should NEVER ever counsil a man without her husband being present so please respect her. As you are single and she is married. My suggestion to you is please contact John Muncy as he is better equipped to handle your situation. Just give him time to answer as he is ministering in Hawaii at this moment.

God bless,

Phyllis

Day to Day Life said...

Jeff,
In no way was I being critical, I was calling sin.. what it is. Sin! Sin is NO JOKE, not to be taken lightly. I hate myself when sin falls into my life. HOWEVER.. The Bible clearly tells us..THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH!!

The Bible even goes to warn us in Romans 6 how many will be given unto a reprobate mind if they continue in sin.

I once became quite immune to sin.. the mistakes I made because of this sin cost me so much. I bear scars both physically and mentally because of this sin. And why I speak out against sin today..STRONG AND BOLD! Look at all the disciples.. Paul was quite a bold man of God. Even asked if the Church would rather he came with a rod. And looking at these examples I in no way want to soft shoe around.

Yes I love the sinner..I love the sinner so much it hurts. Yet sin itself moves me to such tears and pain to watch those I love fall into a trap of sin... and decide to lay there instead of picking themselves up. ALL of has sinned and come short of the glory of God. It is by God's grace we are indeed saved.

When you look at the sacrifice paid to cover those sins.. it is HEAVY.. as Jesus took upon the sin of the WORLD.. That generation...to our generation... He became the PERFECT LAMB OF GOD!

So when others look at me and tell me I need to be a "Normal Christian" I can not do that. I am who God wants me to be. I have walked the path of the internet chat rooms, the online gaming and it is not a place God would have me to be.

Now Jeff, You know right from wrong.. and the reason I took you off my friend list is, I can go no further. You need to talk to another man that lives FULLY for God.

I will pray that God will open your eyes.. Get into the Word of God. SEEK HIS WILL for your life. Heed the Spirit of God!!!