Technology, Social Media, and the Soul

The New Normal

The smartphone has become an extension of our bodies. We wake up to its alarm, scroll through feeds while we drink our coffee, and it's the last thing we see before we sleep. Social media, streaming services, and instant messaging have fundamentally rewired the way we communicate, consume information, and even think. Technology is not morally neutral; it is actively shaping us. It is discipling us. And for the follower of Jesus, this raises some urgent questions: What is all this technology doing to our souls? How can we engage with this digital world without losing our spiritual focus?

The Bible, of course, does not mention smartphones or social media. But its ancient wisdom provides a timeless framework for evaluating how we use our time, where we place our attention, and what we allow to form our hearts and minds. The Christian faith is not about escaping the modern world, but about learning to live faithfully within it. This requires us to be more intentional than ever. We must critically examine the spiritual effects of our digital habits and wisely cultivate practices that help our souls flourish, rather than wither, in the age of the algorithm.

The Hidden Dangers of the Digital Age

While technology offers incredible benefits, it also carries subtle but powerful spiritual dangers that we must be aware of.

1. The Economy of Distraction

The business model of most social media platforms is based on capturing and holding our attention for as long as possible. Algorithms are designed to learn what angers us, what entertains us, and what keeps us scrolling. The result is a state of perpetual distraction. Our ability to think deeply, to be present with others, and most importantly, to be quiet before God, is being eroded.

"Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10

A relationship with God requires stillness and focused attention. If every spare moment of our lives—waiting in line, sitting at a red light, lying in bed—is filled with digital noise, we leave no room for the "gentle whisper" of the Holy Spirit.

2. The Currency of Comparison

Social media platforms are often highlight reels of other people's lives. We scroll through curated images of perfect vacations, happy families, and successful careers. This can lead to a toxic cycle of comparison and envy. We begin to feel that our own lives are boring, inadequate, or unblessed. It fosters discontentment. The apostle Paul warns that "comparing ourselves with ourselves is not wise" (2 Corinthians 10:12). Our worth and identity are not found in how our lives measure up to others, but in our status as beloved children of God. Social media constantly tempts us to seek our identity in the fickle world of likes and shares rather than in the unchanging love of Christ.

3. The Allure of a Disembodied Community

Online forums, group chats, and live-streamed services can be wonderful supplements to our faith, especially for those who are isolated. However, they can also become a substitute for the real, messy, embodied community of the local church. The Bible's vision for community involves physical presence: sharing meals, bearing one another's burdens, worshipping side-by-side, and giving a literal shoulder to cry on. An exclusively online "community" can offer the illusion of connection without the commitment, sacrifice, and vulnerability that true Christian fellowship requires. We were created for real presence, not just pixels on a screen.

A Path Forward: Digital Discipleship

So how do we navigate this digital world? The answer is not to reject technology entirely (though some may find that a helpful path), but to engage with it intentionally and redemptively. We must become the masters of our technology, rather than allowing it to master us.

• Practice Digital Fasts: Just as fasting from food can heighten our spiritual senses, fasting from technology can break its addictive pull. Consider taking a "Sabbath" from social media one day a week. Put your phone in another room for a few hours each evening. Delete apps from your phone for a season. These intentional breaks create space for silence, reflection, and real-world connection.
• Curate Your Feeds for Your Good: You have control over what you consume. Unfollow accounts that consistently stir up envy, anger, or discontentment. Actively follow accounts that share scripture, post encouraging content, and point you toward what is true, noble, and lovely (Philippians 4:8). Use the algorithm for your sanctification, not just your entertainment.
• Prioritize Embodied Community: Make your local church a non-negotiable priority. Use technology to schedule a coffee meeting, not as a replacement for it. Invest your primary time and energy into the real-world relationships God has placed in your life.
• Redeem Your Digital Spaces: Don't just be a passive consumer; be a redemptive creator. Use your social media to share an encouraging Bible verse, to celebrate what God is doing in your life, to ask for prayer, or to publicly praise a friend. Use your digital platform to be a source of light and truth in a world of noise and negativity.

Conclusion: Stewarding Our Attention

Our attention is our most valuable resource. What we give our attention to is what will ultimately shape our hearts and minds. The battle of the digital age is a battle for our focus. Will we give it to the endless, distracting scroll, or will we intentionally direct it toward God?

Technology is a powerful tool. It can be used to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth and to build up the church in incredible ways. But like any powerful tool, it must be handled with wisdom, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose. As followers of Jesus, let us commit to using our technology, rather than being used by it. Let us carve out intentional spaces for silence in our noisy world, anchor our identity in Christ rather than in clicks, and prioritize the real-life community of the saints. By stewarding our attention wisely, we can learn to navigate the digital age not as its slaves, but as faithful disciples of the one who calls us to a life of focused, undistracted devotion.