Five Ways to Reflect Christ (Rather than Outrage) Online
At Grace United, we’ve been talking a lot about spiritual maturity—how growing in Christ is more about deepening our trust in Him than trying to be better Christians. One way Christ reveals this is in our speech. Christlike words flow from a heart that trusts in Jesus and experiences His healing grace.
Jesus said, “The things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart” (Matthew 15:18). Today, that truth extends beyond our speech to our screens.
Social media doesn’t have to be a battleground. It’s wise to acknowledge that all of these platforms are designed to provoke emotion and stir outrage—and then, not take the bait.
If Christ is shaping our hearts, our posts and comments should reflect Him—hopeful, humble, and full of grace. Particularly, knowing that all of these platforms are designed to provoke emotion and stir outrage.
Here are a few practical ways to not take the bait and, instead, reflect Jesus Christ online:
1. Protect Your Heart Before You Post
Before typing a post or a response, pause and ask: What’s happening in my heart right now? Am I angry, anxious, or trying to prove something? Outrage may feel righteous, but James reminds us, “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).
Instead of reacting to every issue our algorithms throw at us, we can protect our hearts by spending time with Jesus and bringing them to Him before we spew them online. A heart that trusts Jesus will overflow with His peace, not the world’s provocation.
2. Picture Someone You Love Deeply
When you respond to an idea, action, or point of view that you disagree with, imagine it’s held by someone you love—a friend, your mom, your child, or someone in your church family. How would you write? What words would you edit out if they were sitting across the table from you? This helps us to speak truth in love, which is far more challenging online than in person, without relying on Christ.
3. Run It by Jesus
Before you hit “post,” consider, would Jesus say this? Then go one step further—can you find an example of Him actually doing something like it in Scripture? Who was He speaking with? What was the response?
Jesus was bold, yes—but never reckless. He spoke truth, but always in love, and with a godly purpose.
4. Ask: What’s My Goal Here?
Paul gives a good direction: “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). That verse applies just as much to our online words as our spoken ones.
Is your goal to give grace and to build others up, as Paul advises, or to make yourself feel righteous, look good, or count up the likes? Ask, Am I trying to help people make an informed decision—or just to show that I am right? Am I speaking to my tribe, or shaming those who view it differently?
5. Be Hopeful, Humble, and Full of Grace
In a world stirred up by algorithms, may our hearts be stirred by God’s grace in Jesus Christ. May our posts bring light into the darkness, grace where there is judgment, and humility rather than offense.
Our world doesn’t need more outrage. May we grow into the kind of people whose words bring hope in Christ, humble self-awareness that we see one side, and bring grace to heal ailing hearts.