Faithful Scrolling: A Biblical Guide to Navigating Social Media

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Never before in history have we been so connected or had more access to so many voices. Social media has become woven into our daily lives: we scroll when we wake up, we scroll when we feel bored, we scroll when we feel anxious, and we scroll when we are looking for hope or distraction. We turn to our screens for companionship, news, entertainment, opinions, affirmation, and sometimes even spiritual guidance. But as followers of Jesus, we must occasionally pause and ask: How is all of this influencing me?

The Bible may not mention Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, but it speaks powerfully to what influences our hearts:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

The content we choose to view and the content we choose to share influences who we are. This means discipleship is not only lived out in our homes, churches, and workplaces, but it is lived out online as well. As I have thought deeply about how I engage with social media, I’ve begun evaluating everything—what I read, what I share, and what I allow to influence me—by asking myself five simple, thought-provoking biblical questions.

1. Does this content stir anxiety, anger, pride, or judgment in me?

It is easy to underestimate how quickly a headline, reel, or heated comment thread can hijack our emotions. We may feel justified in our anger. We may feel validated in our judgment. We may feel smarter because “we know the truth” others don’t. But scripture warns us:

“The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

If what I am consuming produces anxiety more than peace, division more than unity, comparison more than contentment, then it is not helping me become conformed into the image of Jesus. The enemy loves to plant tiny seeds in our minds that slowly become strongholds: bitterness, self-righteousness, fear, superiority, and envy. So I must ask myself: Does what I’m reading align my heart with Christ or pull it away from Him?

2. Is what I share life-giving, encouraging, and proclaiming the faithfulness of God?

We live in a time when opinions seem to shout louder than truth, fear spreads faster than hope, and negativity receives more engagement than encouragement. As believers, we are called to stand out.

“Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Let everything you do be done to build others up.” Ephesians 4:29

Instead of highlighting and sharing chaos, we are called to highlight and share Christ. Instead of stirring up panic, we are called to speak peace. Instead of spreading cultural hopelessness, we are called to testify that God is still faithful, God is still sovereign, and God is still here.

Before I share anything online, I ask myself: Does this content bring life or drain it? Does this remind people that Jesus is the hope of the world? If not, maybe I don’t need to share it!

3. Does my online presence reflect that I believe God is sovereign?

Do we read a headline and fear the Church is collapsing? Do we hear a political opinion and fear that the truth is losing? Do we witness cultural changes and think darkness is winning? Scripture is here to inform how we direct our reactions to what is going on around us:

“His kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19

“Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:7:

God is not worried. God is not wringing His hands. God is not watching history spiral out of His control. When we post with peace, we preach with our lives. Another question I can ask is: Am I responding out of confidence in who God is or out of fear of what I see?

4. Am I informed or obsessed?

There is a difference between staying aware and being consumed. It is wise to pay attention to what is happening in the world (Proverbs 18:15). But it will be destructive if our news intake is more than our Scripture intake, if cultural commentary becomes a stronger voice than God’s Word, if the first place we turn for answers is the internet, not God.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

Transformation does not come from scrolling; it comes from Scripture. So I ask myself: Am I being discipled more by media than by Jesus? Does my online time form peace within me or unrest? When scrolling becomes more habitual than prayer, when news shapes my emotional state more than God's promises, it’s time to make a change.

5. Am I sharing from humility or from assumption?

Sometimes we hit “share” because we think: “Christians need to see this!” But we forget: We are still growing, too. We are still learning. We are still being corrected by Scripture every day. Paul reminds us:

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” 1 Corinthians 8:1

“Let your speech always be gracious…” Colossians 4:6

Our goal online should not be to win arguments but to win hearts to Christ. So I pause and ask: Am I speaking from pride or compassion? Am I seeking to make a point or make Jesus known? So, before I post, I pause and run my content through these questions: Is it true? Is it humble? Is it helpful? Is it hopeful? Is it holy?

If the answer is yes: I share knowing I am pointing others to Jesus.

What We Post Is a Picture of Our Faith

Our online life is a platform, and our posts preach a message. We are always representing something: fear or faith, division or unity, self or Savior. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” Matthew 5:14. Not the loudest voice. Not the harshest voice. Not the most clever voice. The light. The world does not need more chaos. The world needs more grace-filled truth, spoken by people who have truly spent time with Jesus.

A Prayer Before I Post:

Lord, guard my heart as I scroll. Help me take in what leads me closer to You and filter out what steals my peace. Give me wisdom to know when to speak and humility to stay silent when needed. May everything I share point people to Your truth, Your hope, and Your unfailing love. Let my online presence reflect the peace of a heart that trusts fully in You. Amen.

Reflection and the Spiritual Discipline of Journaling:

What type of content most easily disrupts your peace?

Which voices do you allow to shape your thinking more than Scripture?

How could your social media presence more clearly reflect the heart of Jesus?

What is one habit you could begin today to protect your heart while scrolling (e.g., Scripture before screens, time limits, prayer before posting)?

A Final Word of Encouragement:

I don’t think we need to disappear from social media to honor Christ. We simply need to be different. We need to allow the Spirit to guide our scrolling and let our posts carry the fragrance of Christ. We need our words online to reflect the peace that the world desperately needs because every time we choose truth over fear, grace over anger, and hope over chaos, we shine the light of Jesus into a very loud, confused, and divided world that needs Him.

 Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Constantinis

Gina Smith is a wife of 37 years, mom of 2, and grandma of 3. She is  a writer and author, writing her very first published book in her empty nest years. She has a passion to come alongside the younger generation to encourage them, strengthen them in God, and learn from them.  You can find Gina at her website www.ginalsmith.com, and her book Everyday Prayers for Joy can be found anywhere books are sold.