Face-to-face is Better Than Media Interaction

2 John 1:12
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

Apostle John writes this letter to the church. This is not John the baptist. This is John the disciple. This is John who was in Jesus’ inner circle together with Peter and James, Mark 14:33. This is the same John who wrote, John the Gospel, the three epistles of John, and the book of Revelation. This is Apostle John who considered himself to be loved by Jesus John 21:20. This Apostle John was formerly a fisherman until Jesus called him and improved his rating so to speak, Matthew 4:21 and also Acts 4:13. Apostle John is believed to be the last disciple to die.

Apostle John tells the church many things in his second epistle which has only one chapter. It seems brief but it is loaded. After salutations that emphasize the word truth, we learn that we must guard ourselves against the abounding falsehood that is round about us. Next, he emphasizes the need for the church people to love one another and he calls it a command from God that requires us to obey without fail. He then follows that with a warning against deceivers who come and target church people. Deceivers who emerge as much more committed yet it is a mask that covers the deep-seated opposition against the church they claim to be part of. After that Apostle John signs off the letter to the church.

He signs off by stating a key lesson for all of us. He tells the church that though he has written a letter, he prefers face-to-face interaction. Letter writing was the state of the art and most advanced technology at that time. Letter writing was the most admired form of communication. Letters brought people together and satisfied a yearning for the other where physical interaction was a challenge. Yet Apostle John tells the church that there is something better than that latest technology of interaction. Apostle John tells the church that though he can write a letter and they can read, he still prefers a face-to-face interaction. Face-to-face interaction is better than using any other media of communication and socializing.

While people can communicate using many platforms including the present-day social media platforms, nothing can beat or replace face-to-face interaction. There is a reality and genuineness in face-to-face interaction that is quickly lost when using other platforms to communicate.

People gain false courage and easily become disrespectful and abusive when they are using social media as a form of communication. The same people would not even think of such conduct if all they had was face-to-face interaction. That is why Apostle John states that he prefers to be present and interact with the church face-to-face.

On social media and other platforms, people can hide identity, fake their feelings and be as far from reality as possible. In face-to-face interaction, we interact first hand with the body language of the one we are conversing with. In face-to-face interaction, we can detect discomfort and elusiveness, which other media of communication cannot detect.

Apostle John tells the church that when they meet face-to-face their joy will be complete. That means that no amount of letter writing would bring the completeness of joy that physical interactions allow. There is something complete about physical interaction.

Social media cannot give you complete joy. You cannot and should not fully date on social media. If you want a serious long-term relationship, physical interaction is the way to go. Have more time face-to-face than on other media of communication.

Marriage requires the complete joy of face-to-face interaction. Long-distance marriage is neither wise nor good. When a major portion of your marriage is operated through media and less of it face-to-face, you are most likely losing it or have lost it but will discover that later, after the current denial fails.

Parenting requires the complete joy of face-to-face interaction. Children understand everything about their parents physically than through media. Parenting on the phone or through live video channels will never come any close to what face-to-face does.

Running a business or a farm through phone calls and other media is not as effective as when you are physically on the ground. Sending money to someone to build a house for you, does not have the same impact and achievement as when you are physically present.

Our modern-day addiction to phones and other communication gadgets is denying us a huge opportunity to enjoy the complete joy of face-to-face interaction. It is bad behavior to use phones and other gadgets while physically meeting someone or some people. It is a sign of mental illness known as addiction.

We do not live in a perfect world, and as a result, some may get addicted to gadgets, some may have to use more of the media than physical interaction. We pray that in whatever situation we find ourselves in, we do our best to use the face-to-face interaction which is the best, and where we can’t, may God’s grace be sufficient to cover the ensuing deficiency.

Thank you, God, for your message. Save us from addiction to phones, laptops, tablets, ipads, and other gadgets. Help us to put them away when physically interacting. Remind us and help us to allocate more time to face-to-face interactions. Where we are completely stranded, step in and save us from the negative effects of such situations where we rely too much on the media. Grant us the complete joy of interaction, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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