How Social Media Impacts Our Spiritual Lives: the good, the bad and the ugly

How do the platforms we use every day shape our hearts, habits, and relationship with God? Let’s take a closer look at the spiritual side of scrolling.

A Personal Reflection

About a year ago, I logged off my social media accounts and haven’t (or barely) touched them since.In that time, I’ve reflected deeply on how social media impacts not only our daily lives—but our spiritual lives.

Social media is a double-edged sword; it can build up or destroy. What defines this is how we use it.My prayer is that after reading this, you’ll reflect on how social media is influencing your spiritual walk and consider what you can do to ensure it has a positive impact.

Social Media and the Christian Life

Social media is a major part of modern life, so we must discuss the good, the bad, and the complicated issues that come with it.In this article, we’ll focus on Christian social media content and creators—not as criticism, but as reflection.

We log on daily to see what friends and family are doing—to learn, laugh, and find inspiration. It’s so embedded in our routines that when someone says they don’t have Instagram, it feels as odd as saying they don’t own a mobile phone.

Did you know?

The average person spends over two hours a day on social media—connecting, learning, and being entertained.

Because of its constant presence, we need to ask how it shapes not just our minds, but our faith.

Not all social media is bad, but how we use it determines whether it will build us up or break us down.

The Good: Christian Social Media for Spiritual Growth

Christian social media offers a rich variety of content—sermons, worship music, Scripture posts, devotionals, lifestyle inspiration, and even outfit ideas.

When used wisely, it can:

• Encourage us to spend more time in God’s Word

• Inspire prayer and reflection

• Connect us with believers around the world

Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Spotify offer countless ways to grow spiritually—if we engage them with discernment.

“Is this drawing me closer to God, or is it distracting me from Him?”

That’s the question every believer should ask.

Social media can also inspire us to go deeper in Bible study, use new tools like commentaries or study Bibles, and reflect on what we believe.Even non-essential Christian differences—like baptism or worship style—can lead to growth when approached with humility rather than division.

The Bad: The Dangers of Comparison and Clickbait

We must guard against putting Christian influencers on pedestals. No one is perfect, and online appearances rarely tell the full story. We might see them show up on camera with their hair done perfectly, their beautiful Bible open, and their lives seemingly together—but we don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors. They may be like whitewashed tombs (Matthew 23:27): everything looks great on the outside, but inside they are full of brokenness and sin with no desire to change.

Another risk is unchecked teaching. In the church, not everyone is permitted to teach—pastors and elders are careful about who leads because teaching is a serious responsibility. James 3:1 warns us of the high standard teachers will be held to. But platforms like YouTube and Facebook are driven by profit, not truth. They don’t filter what’s theologically sound—they just promote what gets attention.

Ask yourself:

• What does the Bible say about this?

• What is this person’s background or motive?

• Does this align with biblical truth?

We shouldn’t dismiss someone solely because of their denomination or convictions, but we should test everything against Scripture (Acts 17:11). There are core beliefs in the Christian faith and secondary issues. We must be willing to reflect on the latter while understanding what’s essential to our faith.

Social media can bread superficial Christianity. Someone may have a beautiful Bible full of notes, yet the Word never penetrates their heart. Even our Bibles can become idols if their aesthetic becomes more important than our relationship with God. A Bible that looks lovely but gathers dust is of no benefit to our soul.

Clickbait is another concern. In an effort to get attention, creators often use misleading titles. This problem has seeped into the Christian content world. I recently came across a video titled “10 Dangerous Christian Books You Need to Throw Out Now”—followed by the name C. S. Lewis. The content of the video was fine, but the title was deceptive; all but one of the books mentioned were written years after his death. This highlights the need for discernment.

Finally, there’s the comparison trap. We compare our spiritual lives to others—their Bible notes, church outfits, or devotional habits. We might think, “I wish my Bible looked like that,” or “I can’t believe she wore that to church.” Either way, we begin judging—ourselves or others.

When those feelings arise, pause and ask:

Am I imposing my personal convictions on others?Are my study notes helping me draw closer to God—even if they don’t look perfect?

We can look to creators for inspiration, but we must avoid letting comparison turn into pride, envy, or judgment.

The Complicated: Consuming Without Contemplating

Because Christian content online is so varied, it’s unfair to call certain types good or bad. Even a “Christian morning routine” video can either uplift or discourage—depending on your heart.

“It’s the dose that makes the poison.”

Too much content—even good content—can overwhelm your spirit.If you only consume others’ interpretations of Scripture, you may miss what the Holy Spirit wants to teach you personally.

We must learn to consume less and digest more.Let truth settle in your heart before rushing to the next post or reel. Remember Elijah’s reminder in 1 Kings 19:12—the voice of God often comes as a “still small voice.” If you only consume others’ interpretations of the Word, you don’t leave space to process or apply what you’ve learned.

Setting Boundaries: Creating a Healthy Digital Rhythm

As Christians navigating the digital world, we must be intentional about how we engage with social media.Without healthy boundaries, constant scrolling can steal our attention, joy, and intimacy with God.

Reflect Before You Scroll

Ask yourself:

• Is this content feeding me or draining me?

• Does this bring me closer to God or distract me from Him?

• Does this content invite contemplation—or comparison?

If your time online leaves you anxious or spiritually distant, it may be time to step back.

Quality Over Quantity

Not every “Christian” post is spiritually helpful. A few minutes of deep reflection on one verse or sermon may be worth more than hours of scrolling through devotional reels.

Practical ways to set boundaries:

• Limit screen time or take a digital Sabbath once a week

• Unfollow or mute accounts that don’t uplift your faith

• Schedule specific times to check social media intentionally

• Replace scrolling time with prayer, journaling, or Scripture reading

When we choose intentional consumption over constant connection, social media becomes a tool for growth—not a trap for distraction.

In Conclusion: Using Social Media With Discernment

As believers, we must be mindful of the content we consume—both in quality and quantity.

We often defend our habits, saying, “But it’s Christian!”Yet if it doesn’t draw us closer to God, we must ask whether it’s truly beneficial.

What begins as a good thing can easily become a distraction if we’re not careful.

Let’s use social media with wisdom, discernment, and self-control, allowing it to be a tool that builds our faith—not one that takes our eyes off Christ.

A Final Encouragement

Take a few moments today to step away from your screens. Sit quietly before God and ask:

“Lord, how do You want me to use my online spaces for Your glory?”

Sometimes, the holiest moments happen not in the noise of the feed—but in the stillness of His presence.