Five ways to live faithfully in divided online spaces

We live in a time of ​‘fake news’ and deepfakes, where truth and reality can be increasingly hard to find. AI images and videos are appearing everywhere online, and they are rapidly becoming harder to distinguish from real life. As Jesus stood on trial, Pilate asked a question that many are still seeking to answer today: ​‘What is truth?’ (John 18:38). In a time when truth is increasingly seen as subjective, we need to be people who care about facts and evidence, even when this raises challenges and questions we might prefer to avoid. 

We stand secure on the rock-solid foundation of Christ. Nothing life throws at us, online or offline, can undo what Christ has won for us or the promise that one day we will spend eternity with Him. In a world desperate for stability and hope, we can point to the comforting and unchanging truth of the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s words ring out: ​‘Do not be afraid, for I am with you.’ What a glorious message this is in a fearful and uncertain world. 

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Knowing the truth grounds us, but it also shapes how we live. Social media algorithms and street protests have created an environment in which the loudest voices get the most attention, and political opponents are frequently demonised. Jesus calls us to a higher standard: in a world that encourages us to hit back harder, He says to ​‘turn the other cheek’, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who persecute us. 

At a time of growing division and hatred, we can engage distinctively with people online. 

Here are five ways that Christians can bring integrity and hope to polarised online spaces:

1. Be discerning. Investigate your sources carefully. Don’t automatically believe everything you read or see online, even if it’s shared by someone you know. Ask questions, check facts, and seek out credible information. 

2. Limit your consumption. Humans are not designed to be constantly bombarded with news, notifications, and information. Endless scrolling can lead either to despair at the state of the world or to numb indifference. Set boundaries for your time online and create space for rest and real-life interactions. 

3. Listen to a variety of perspectives. Social media often places us in an echo chamber, only hearing from those who confirm our viewpoint. Read widely, try to genuinely understand opposing perspectives and engage with them in good faith. 

4. Think (and pray) before you post. Our words matter and too often people willingly say things online that they would never say at in real life. You don’t have to comment on everything, sometimes the wise thing to do is to say nothing. At other times you will feel convicted to say something. Be wise rather than reactionary. Seek to bring more gospel light than worldly heat into each conversation. 

5. Build real relationships with people you don’t agree with. Engaging online with people is a huge part of our culture, however nothing can replace real face to face conversations — often over food! This is how human beings have always built trust and relationships, it’s almost like we were designed to do this. 

Whilst it is good for Christians to take an active interest in politics and participate in public life, we must remember that it is not our gospel nor our saviour. Jesus came to usher in a spiritual kingdom, one that has the power to transform people’s hearts, not just their circumstances. Our complex, chaotic world needs Christians who shine brightly for Christ, pointing to the only One who has the power to transform our lives both now and for eternity.

So, next time you pick up our phone and step into the noisy, contested digital space, do so prayerfully and purposefully. In online spaces often characterised by anger, fear, and division, may we bring something unmistakably different: the gentleness, wisdom, and hope of Christ.