Facebook doesn't cause adultery. It may facilitate it. But so does all other modern communications tools. Are we going to suggest we should ban cell phones too?

This is simplistic thinking, at least as it is presented here. We should resist simplistic thinking.

This is the definition of an unnecessary knee jerk reaction.

If you delete there is just another way. Its a heart issue, not an internet website issue.

Isn't this the story of the pastor who said this, and then later fessed up to being an adulterer himself?

Prolly made this declaration cuz he himself went through some stuff...

Matt, yes this is old news from last Nov. He came out that he had had an affair with he male church assistant, the assistant's wife and his wife several years ago. After that came out he offered to step down, but I have not heard if he actually left the church. The affairs came out because of a criminal trial a couple years ago.

Yes, it is a heart issue, and no, deleting your facebook account won't change your heart, BUT...

Would you rather have a husband who cheats on you in his heart AND cheats on you physically?

Or one who cheats on you in his heart BUT has done everything in his power to prevent that ever becoming a physical reality?

In fact, isn't the willingness to address ones behavior so drastically evidence that one is giving God access to more than just behavior; allowing God to address and transform our hearts?

There are a lot more stumbling blocks out there than there used to be. Accessing them is easier than ever. Apparently access to sexual sin was pretty easy in Paul's day too because he spent a considerable amount of ink addressing it.

Facebook as a social network reveals what is already in a person's heart. Sin must be confronted first in through repentance.
However, anything that facilitates adultery must be radically removed from one's life.
That being said, I believe if the Apostle Paul were here today he would be preaching the gospel on Facebook.
Facebook is neutral. The user determines it's validation or violation.

If the Church is blaming infidelity on Social Networking then the Church is not doing it's job of discipling people. It's called ACCOUNTABILITY... Come on and grow up and take responsibility.

That pastor should require a ban on the internet because that's where 90% of porn comes from and it's free with no required age verification.

Get real dude.

Old news.

And given the revelations that came out afterwards, perhaps he should have banned Bible studies in his church

"Facebook doesn't cause adultery. It may facilitate it. But so does all other modern communications tools. Are we going to suggest we should ban cell phones too?"

I agree with Adam...the fault lies with the person, not the medium for which they used to "reconnect."

I'm not sure about the backstory on this particular pastor, but that kind of misses the point of the article IMO.

What are we doing as leaders to equip people (specifically married people) who may face these temptations unwittingly? There is something too easy too accessible about Facebook, and when we indulge in fantasy it can lead to full-blown sin and death (James 1:13-15).

Saying that it's "their own fault" is like saying more drugs in our community doesn't contribute to the drug problem. Do they chose? Absolutely. Do we have some responsibility over teaching about tempting environments? I think so.

The trouble for me is I have seen families devastated by Facebook use. Both through adultery and disengagement. Do I ban it? No. I still use it, but prayerfully, sparingly and intentionally. My favorite quote on Facebook lately:

"People are performing on a Facebook profile...that's a performance of you." -Sherry Turkle

Could Facebook ultimately be nothing more than another form of hypocrisy (Biblically defined as pretending)? Should we engage in any medium without discernment, thought or concern? These are questions worth considering...