How to Use Social Media For Spiritual Growth

This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my link, I may receive a small commission. I only recommend companies and products that I love and trust. This keeps the coffee brewing and the words flowing, so thank you for supporting Faithfully Planted!

Social media and cell phones have gotten a bad reputation over the last few years, especially in the Christian community. Online interactions can lead people to behave more selfishly and respond less empathetically than if they were in person. We say things to others online that we would never say face-to-face. Overuse of social media can foster isolation & depression, increase comparison and negative self-image and can damage marriages and relationships. However, using social media can actually be very positive. It can be a great way to connect with others in similar seasons, lift up and encourage one another in prayer, and find resources for studying scripture and seeking God. Churches can reach exponentially more people through social media use and spreading the word online. There are many testimonies out there of people who found church community because they saw something posted on social media. Just because social media can be a bad habit, doesn’t mean it has to be a bad habit. How wonderful would it be if we could turn something the enemy would use to have us stumble into a tool that deepens our relationship with God? Implementing positive social media habits doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does take some dedication and discipline. Here are some practical ways to you can take your use of social media and turn it into a tool for your spiritual growth:

Start With a Fast

Before trying to work on any of the other changes I discuss in this post, I highly encourage you to do a social media fast. I recommend about a full week of no social media of any kind. You can even delete the apps off of your phone to eliminate temptation altogether and use browser blockers when using a desktop computer, such as StayFocused or WasteNoTime or Self-Control (for Mac users). The purpose of a social media fast is not about deprivation, but about replacing time spent scrolling to time spent studying the Word and talking to God. It is meant to create awareness of your current habits, prime your heart for positive change and strengthen your resolve by strengthening your relationship with God.

Clean Up Your Feed

Once you have completed your week-long fast, you can begin to make your social media work for you. Unfollow or unfriend people or pages that post toxic or unbiblical content; if it is a family member or someone it would be awkward to unfriend, simply unfollow them and set your feed to not show their posts. Unfriend those who are always posting incendiary comments or constantly arguing on social media. Unfollow companies who post anything that tempts you or causes impure thoughts, pride or comparison. For example, if you are constantly comparing yourself to a certain celebrity or leader and that causes you to view yourself negatively, unfollow them. Even if they are encouraging or speaking from a biblical platform. If it causes you to feel shame or insecurity, unfollow them until you have done the soul work to stand strong against lies like that. This is not weakness, this is caring for yourself. Now, I am not saying you have to unfriend or unfollow every person who disagrees with you, because that would be impossible. However, people/companies that are unkind in their disagreement do not need to be on your feed. Download and use apps that focus on encouraging your walk with Christ. Delete the apps that don’t.

Fill Your Feed With Good Stuff

Find people or companies/ministries who post positive, encouraging content and interact with them. Comment, like and share their content to make sure your feed is filled with scripture, encouragement and truth. Look for what your friends are sharing; if it encourages you and brings truth to your heart, follow them. But, before you start blindly following anyone, do a little research. Look at old posts, if they have a website, explore it. Check out what they have written, their about pages and any statement of faith they may have published. Test what is being shared on your feed against scripture; anyone can post anything on social media, so make sure it’s truthful before you allow it into your life. To get you started, I have listed some of my favorites at the bottom of this post!

Cultivate Online Community

Join (or start) a prayer or bible study group on Facebook, join in conversation in the comments on posts on Instagram or whatever engagement medium is available on your chosen social media platform. Don’t just scroll through idly. Social media can be a place where you are lifted up in prayer, can partner with others in prayer and can find accountability for your spiritual growth. You can meet others who have similar interests, are struggling with the same things you are or are even from your town! On this note, remove yourself from any group that fosters a toxic atmosphere, even if it is marked as Christian. Not all groups are focused on positively seeking God and lifting one another up so don’t waste your time in groups that are not.

Be A Light

Even if you prune your feed, you are still probably going to run into unkindness in posts and comments on social media; hopefully not your posts, but it can happen, especially if you are speaking truth on your platform. Here is a golden opportunity for you to react in a Christ-like manner and be a light. You can be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19) when interacting on social media. Showing empathy and validating the feelings and views of others is possible without agreeing with them. You do not have to agree with someone to love them. Let me say that again: you do not have to agree with someone to show them love. If you claim to follow Christ, act like it in all areas of your life. This includes social media.

Be a Prayer Warrior

People post details of their lives for us to see on social media and our feeds can almost read like a prayer request list. Take the opportunity and use it like one. If you see someone post about going into labor, pray for a smooth delivery and a healthy baby right in that moment; if you see a happy anniversary or birthday post, pray a blessing over that marriage or for a blessing over that person’s upcoming year. Praying for others does not have to be long, drawn out and complicated to be powerful. For example, say you run across a post from a friend complaining about something that happened to them that day, you could quickly pray:

“Lord, please speak to (insert friend’s name) heart right now, Lord encourage her spirit. May the rest of her day’s interactions be positive and encouraging, help her to show kindness wherever she goes. Keep her safe, Amen.”

While those words are not long or eloquent, they could be all that carries the weight of her heart for the rest of the day.

Set Limits For Usage

Take social media breaks/fasts when you to need to refresh. Just because you did one before you started all this doesn’t mean it has to be your last. This may seem counter-instructive because I am telling to use your social media, but it is always a good idea to step away every now and then and regroup without the distraction of social media, even if it is positive. Even if your feed is full of truth and encouragement, that does not mean you are excused from needing to put your phone down and be present. Mark certain spaces in your home as “no phone zones” (such as the bedroom or living room) and set “no phone” blocks of time, such as no phone after 9 pm or no phone before noon or until after your quiet time. Keep your phone in your pocket or purse when you are out with people or on a date with your spouse or partner. There is no reason to be checking social media when you have real people right in front of you (<– preaching to myself here).

Are you excited to make some positive changes!?

Social media can absolutely be a blessing in your life and a way to show authentic, Christ-like love for others, but not without intentionality and commitment to boundaries. It can be a way to saturate your life with scripture and truth, reminding you of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Like all things in this world, though, you get out what you put in. If you put time, effort and purpose into cultivating a positive, encouraging social media space, it can be fruitful and bring glory to God.