Thanks for clicking! Ever heard of the word “clickbait”? Clickbait is “content whose main purpose is to attract attention and encourage visitors to click on a link to a particular webpage.” Usually you’ll see this in the titles for article, videos, or posts. Usually it can drive an account, content creator, or influencer to get more traffic to their page. The more interaction they get on their page the better they may feel, the more money they can make through ads, or it could boost their company or name.
Why does clickbait matter to a Christian? It may not, but it should remind us that we are stewards of the Gospel and we should also be careful about what we consume. The world can be manipulative and our curiosity can get the better of us. We can remember the Temptation of Jesus in Luke 4:1-13. Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus KNOWS the Word of God. We also discover the Devil knows the Word of God too. The Devil quotes Psalm 91:11-12, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”
It is easy to “cherry pick” or subtly manipulate God’s Word to make it say different things. We can also look at the conversation Eve and Satan had in the Garden of Eden. Read Genesis 2:15-17 and Genesis 3:1-3. God’s Word was slightly distorted already at that point in creation. How much more do people distort God’s Word today?
We are to be stewards of the Gospel. What is one thing that makes someone a good steward? They should understand what they are a steward of. We should read and study God’s Word daily. We should gladly hear and learn it. We should discern when God’s Word is being preached and taught correctly or when someone is in error. We should be able to trust others to do the same task; but we should ultimately rely on what God’s Word says.
Be good stewards of the Gospel. Study God’s Word. Share this endless resource with others. Participate in the Sacraments at Concordia’s church services. Also, remember Pastor does NOT hate dogs.