Have you ever thought about this question? Working as a social media manager for my church for almost seven years, it’s something I think about often.
At this point, I think we can all agree that, regardless of the platform, social media is probably here to stay for a while. With the continued rise in digital technology, we’re increasingly well positioned to influence others right from the devices we carry in our hands.
Social media tends to get a lot of hate for the way it can spur on comparison and insecurity, not to mention the time it takes away from other meaningful priorities. And while these issues are very real, they don’t have to be the only things we experience as a result of social media.
How Can Christians Use Social Media?
Rather than not using social media at all or letting it influence us negatively, I wonder what it would look like if Christians used social media the way we think Jesus might.
Of course, there’s no way to know exactly how Jesus would have used social media because He didn’t have a cell phone tucked into His belt. However, what we can do is look at the life He lived during His time on earth and let that inform how we approach social media. (Unfortunately, we won’t be discussing whether or not Jesus would post selfies or share memes. It’s up for debate, though. The Jesus I know definitely has a sense of humor.)
4 Ways Jesus Would Use Social Media
Here are four ways we can approach social media the way Jesus probably would:
1. Share Stories
Jesus often taught in parables, which are basically stories that communicate a deeper truth or lesson. Jesus knew that His disciples and listeners would connect more with a story rather than they would plain facts.
My pastor, Craig Groeschel, often says, “We admire people for their strengths, but we connect with people through their weaknesses.” What could it look like for you to share a story of what God is doing in your life on social media? Instead of only showing our highlight reels, what if we showed vulnerability and asked for prayer? Sharing a powerful story can inspire hope for someone that if God can work in your life, He can work in theirs too.
2. Love Others
The world often needs our love more than our opinions.
It can be really easy to correct, defend, and share our opinion based on what we believe is true. And while we might have good intentions, it’s important to remember that the world often needs our love more than our opinions.
When Jesus helped the woman caught in adultery, He didn’t shame or condemn her. He actually protected her from the men trying to harm her, and then gently encouraged her to leave her life of sin. Jesus never argued or confronted others just to win—He always used His voice to lead people to His Father’s love. If you see someone you disagree with on social media, remember that it is still possible to love people you disagree with.
3. Speak Truth With Grace
Jesus never shied away from speaking the truth, but He always did so with grace and love. Whether He was correcting religious leaders, teaching His disciples, or comforting the broken, Jesus used His words to bring life, not destruction. He built others up instead of tearing others down.
While social media gives us a platform to share the truth, how we share it matters. Before posting, ask yourself: Is this helpful? Is this loving? Is this pointing others to Jesus? Truth spoken without love can push people away, but truth spoken with love can transform hearts.
4. Rest and Pray
Jesus often withdrew to rest and pray, showing us that constant engagement, even with good things, can drain us. You can use social media in a way that honors God but still need a break from it.
If you’re struggling to decide whether or not you want to use social media, I encourage you to pray. Yes, pray! God cares about you and your desires, which means He cares about something as seemingly small as whether or not you’re active on social media. Whether you decide to be engaged in social media or not, what’s most important as a follower of Christ is to live a life that reflects Him.
How Jesus Wouldn’t Use Social Media
Jesus wouldn’t use social media for online arguments or impressing others. He wouldn’t use it to shame people with different views or criticize those who are hurting. He wouldn’t let it distract Him from being present with the people in front of Him. And He definitely wouldn’t let it replace His time with God.
To be honest, I think Jesus might let us decide whether or not we should use social media. He told us that the world would know we are Christians by the way we love one another. So if social media helps you love others well, great! But if you notice social media becoming an unhelpful or negative space, it might be time to reevaluate the role it plays in your life.
Use Social Media for Good
I mentioned earlier that I’m a social media manager, but even I can struggle with comparison or distraction.
For me, using social media isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being obedient to what God’s asking of me. I try to use the four thoughts above as guidelines or boundaries when it comes to the role social media plays in my life.
While I’ve seen the social space have a negative impact on people, I’ve also seen it bring so much good. I’ve been able to pray with women all over the world who have walked through health conditions similar to my own, as well as women whose birth experience didn’t go as expected.
I’ve seen people encourage one another in comments. I’ve personally been encouraged by posts from other moms. I’ve even seen people declare their need for Jesus and surrender their life to Him—yes, on Instagram!
There are more people living today than at any other time in history, and we have the opportunity to reach more people than ever before. The Gospels show us that Jesus consistently chose to use what was available to Him to minister to those around Him. He used what He had to propel God’s mission forward. What do you have that you can use for God’s glory?
If this article encourages you to use social media in a way that honors God, you can follow @life.church and @craiggroeschel on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Threads for positive and uplifting content. đŸ™Œ