CYBERLISTIC RELATIONSHIPS

Why are they so popular? Are men honestly the sole blame for cyberlistic relationships that turn into nightmares? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such relationships?

It all truly and honestly depends on what the person is looking for. To some has been a game. To others it has been a blessing. Some may agree and some will disagree. I’m sure everyone has a testimony on their pros and cons experience in it.

The only way that someone can take advantage of another in cyber relationships is if they allow it to happen. We have to realize that it’s a risk indeed to meet and trust people you’ve met through an exchange of words and maybe an occasional phone call. Anyone can sound legit in a cyber way.

Let me break it down just a bit…e-mail and other cyber communications may be the most important, unique method for communicating and developing relationships since the telephone. First of all, it is easy to use. People also find it familiar and safe because it is similar in many respects to writing letters - minus the annoyances of addressing envelopes, licking stamps, and trips to the mail box or post office.

Of all the methods for developing relationships on the Internet, it is the most common - and perhaps the most powerful.

Although friendships and romances may indeed begin in chat rooms, instant messaging, assemblages such as Yahoo 360, Ebony Voices, Black Planet communities, and, or blogs, or other environments, these relationships almost always expand into e-mail as a way to deepen the communication. It is a more private, more reliable, less chaotic way to talk.

E-mail is not just electronic mail sent via the Internet. E-mail communication creates a psychological space in which pairs of people - or groups of people - interact. It creates a context and boundary in which human relationships can unfold.

Now it depends on what relationship the seeker is seeking. In all fairness, there are women out there as well who are just as capable of becoming a nightmare to men, and other women. So the game can go both ways…it all depends on who’s playing, who’s played and who wants to play.

My fellow cyber brothers and sisters in Christ, we have to decide whether we will obey the Lord, who has proven His trustworthiness, or imitate the world. It's easy to slip into a quiet rebellion-going about life in our own way. However the time comes when we have to choose who, or what will control us. The choice is ours. Will it be God, our own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once we have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, let us reaffirm our choice every day. And because God gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, I beseech you elders, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, preachers, ministers, and spiritual leaders, in taking a definite stand for the Lord, we must display His spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, as men and women of God we must display a commitment to God, and be willing to set the example of living by that decision. The way we correspond cyberlistically displays to others who are reading and judging what we write the strength of our commitment to serving God.

In other words, "choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."