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Applying Divine Wisdom in Internet Interactions

Applying Divine Wisdom in Internet Interactions

Last updated on: June 24, 2026 at 8:20 pm by Lee Ann B. Marino

Applying Divine Wisdom in Internet Interactions 2026-06-24T20:20:51-04:00 Lee Ann B. Marino

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When the internet first started to become popular, most people responded with fear and panic. “Don’t give out any personal information!” “Never use your real name!” “Don’t talk about the city where you live!” “Don’t tell anyone your age!” These oft repeated phrases became codes of protection embedded into individuals venturing online for the first time in history. The internet was treated not as a social forum, but one to gather information rather than give it.

To look at how far we’ve come through internet socialization is eye-opening. Nowadays people provide their full legal names, addresses, telephone numbers, occupations, birth dates, employers, schools, and ages for the entire world to see. We’ve gone from being afraid of the possibilities of the internet to using it for everything: business, buying, selling, information, education, dating, fellowship, socialization, networking, entertainment, ministry, evangelizing, and keeping in touch with family and friends at a distance.

Regardless of how we feel about the internet, we can’t deny its impact on worldwide communication. The internet has literally changed how millions of people interact with one another, and this is something that can have both positive and negative results. Because the internet has the capacity to both bless and harm us, we are called to address internet issues which arise in the course of our decision-making with wisdom.

Dark screen with colored computer code

Photo by Ilya Pavlov on Unsplash

Wisdom is needed online

Psalm 111:10 tells us:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: all who follow His precepts have good understanding.” (NIV)

Wisdom, therefore, is following the precepts of God unto the end of examining every situation which comes along with good (sound) understanding. We are called to address every situation involving relationships and personal interactions with wisdom – including those we have through the internet.

It would be a mistake to assume that because we have used the internet for so long, there are no risks involved in its use. We regularly hear of data theft and privacy violations. With the rise of generative AI, questions of its ethical use follow us from site to site. Clickable ads that run risk to infect computers are still a thing. Scammers, fake news stories, and images that don’t reflect reality are all part of the world online. How do we handle the complexities of this necessary aspect of our world?

Through wisdom, we are called to put God and His precepts first in every decision we make. This leads us to experience the full blessing of God as we take steps to reach the world through the internet.

Online dating

One of the most popular social forums online is the fast-growing industry of online dating. This multi-million dollar experiment has changed how millions of people view meeting others and dating – including how the Christian world approaches serious relationships. Approximately 39% of Americans have used an online dating site. Seven percent are currently using a dating app.

It’s not a secret that there are a few vocal opponents within the Christian sector to online dating. Many of these individuals aren’t and haven’t dated in modern times, and truly don’t understand the challenges that exist when it comes to finding a mate today. Realistically speaking, the internet has become an answer to many Christians who find themselves unable to meet a suitable mate in their immediate surroundings. With the ability to transcend immediate community, one seemingly has more options than what one might find in their own neighborhood. There’s also the safety option, as one always has the option to terminate communication if they feel uncomfortable. As what appears to be an answer to many, how can one use wisdom for safe and successful online dating?

Are you cut out for this?

The first issue that one must address is whether or not they are cut out for internet dating. The Song of Solomon 5:6 speaks of the angst that can exist in distance relationships:

I opened for my beloved,
    but my beloved had left; he was gone.
    My heart sank at his departure.
I looked for him but did not find him.
    I called him but he did not answer. (NIV)

As one who was there once (I met both my first and second husbands online), I can testify that the road of online dating is not always an easy one. There’s always the reality that you may get seriously interested in someone who is far away. With this come challenges: not being able to meet face-to-face right away, dependence on typed and video communications to get to know someone, and the issue of honesty, which must exist for relationships to survive. Relationship boundaries must be clear and both parties should know what they want out of an online relationship.

Costs are rising

Not all dating sites cost money. There are several sites that are either free or have a tiered subscription option, usually with a free or trial period. Free dating sites often feature ads or paywall content. With that being said, free sites are usually used for a variety of contacts between people, including hook-ups, dating, friendship, affairs, and even illegal dealings. This isn’t to say that free sites are bad, but that there’s many reasons why people use them. It’s not impossible to find a serious mate on one (I did), but it takes more time and a lot of patience as you weed through who is serious from who is not.

There’s no question that online dating can feel a lot like searching for a job. We look through profiles, read summaries, and assess candidates. After a few attempts on a free site, a more expensive option may seem desirable. Are they?

More expensive dating sites often claim they can match based on characteristics or some sort of “scientific method.” While more popular at one time (and more common among those who are interested in a serious relationship), their methods don’t work for everyone. It might sound feasible (and is worth a try if you’re striking out everywhere else), but it’s important to reiterate that you don’t have to spend tons of money to meet someone online. Free sites are more work, but give you more options to meet more people over time. If you’re looking for friends along with potential mates, interesting conversation, and don’t mind having to weed through fake profiles and crazy people, free options offer plenty of options.

Online fellowship and ministry

At one time, internet fellowship was more common. When social media was new, having the option to talk to someone in real time who was far away transformed the way we did ministry. With time, we learned the complications of such relationships. It’s hard not being able to meet in person. Transcending miles, especially when friendship is needed, can be a challenge. While we learned that friendship online can be a great and real thing, it’s not a substitute for in-person activities, events, and support.

When used within its purpose, the internet can be a great source of connection for ministries and ministers. Whether using live streams, networks, podcasts, broadcasts, forums, and blogs to spread the work and keep in contact, wisdom in internet usage can go a long way. The internet reminds us that we are a part of not just a local meeting, but of a bigger, worldwide church body that needs to be brought together in more ways than one.

Keep wisdom at the forefront

It’s an awesome thing for the international body of believers to come together for prayer, discussion, study, and fellowship online. In doing so, believers need to keep wisdom at the forefront of all things:

Avoid needless debate and argument (Titus 3:9)
Maintain an attitude of prayer, praise, and worship whether they are in a live service or one online (1 Corinthians 14:26-33)
Be respectful of ministerial authority, even when online (Romans 13:1)
Use discernment when involving themselves with a ministry or worship atmosphere online (Deuteronomy 12:14, Colossians 2:18).

As mentioned above, it’s important to remember that internet ministry and fellowship are great things. Wisdom dictates, however, that they cannot replace the importance of fellowship, ministry, and witnessing in real-time. It’s great to work online for the Lord and with others who do the same, but our life’s witness must accompany everything we do online. If we can’t make it as a Christian, a minister, or a witness offline, we won’t make it online, either! Many internet ministries have the ability to travel or go to various places across the country for conferences. Be sure to go and support the ministry in person. Expand yourself beyond the internet – don’t get caught up in a two-dimensional world. There are lots of active Christian happenings around us that you don’t want to miss!

Internet scams

It has been the experience of most I’ve known who fellowship, date, or minister online that the majority of people they meet are not scammers. The majority of people who are online looking to date, fellowship, or minister are people who genuinely want to reach out to others and are using the internet to do so. While this may be good news, we can’t ignore the reality that there are numerous scams out there that people using the internet must beware of. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 gives us words of wisdom for an internet age:

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. (NIV)

There are, unfortunately, more types of scams out there than we can list. There are a few main headings, however. They include:

411/419 Scams

Also called “advance fee fraud,” 411/419 scams are one of the most common email frauds in existence. They involve an email sent to an individual designed to gain the confidence of the recipient, claiming the individual has won a foreign or internet lottery, has a dead or detained relative in a foreign country, has the option to join in on a stolen government fortune or on a joint bank investment, or is privy to a fortune due to a deceased husband and terminally ill wife. If you receive such an email, delete it! Don’t inquire or submit any relevant personal information.

Relationship Scams

Akin to the 411/419 scams, the goal is, once again, to extract money from a victim. In this instance, the scammer pretends to foster a personal relationship with the victim. Amounts of money requested start small, then increase. Means for wiring money are usually Western Union or the purchase of gift cards.

House Sale Scams

Such scams exist to obtain personal information to take out a mortgage in a seller’s name, with the funds laundered overseas. If you have your house for sale, the internet’s a great forum to sell the house. People online don’t need your complete personal household information to view your house. Likewise, how many people buy a house without seeing it in person? Remember the call of wisdom in these situations!

Ministry/Charity Scams

I don’t question that many ministries in foreign countries exist under difficult, if not dire, circumstances. I also don’t question that there are individuals in these countries with sick relatives, who want to go to school, or who live poor. However, there are many scammers who take advantage of this fact and try to extort money out of ministries and unsuspecting individuals. If you are a ministry or individual interested in helping out the poor of other nations, there are many reputable organizations within the US that do just this. Give your money to a legitimate US organization or missionary to ensure the money goes to its good use.

Wisdom is needed for such a tool as this

Many say the internet is a forum for evil. I truly don’t believe it to be such. Just like anything in this life, the forum of the internet can be used for good or bad. Our motives for use matter! If we approach all our internet interactions with wisdom, we will experience great blessings through our interactions and fellowship with others. We live in changing times, with evolving technology and new ways to reach the world with our message. We can’t stay behind out of fear of the results of change.

Psalm 90:12 tells us:

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.(NIV)

A life lived in proper perspective always gives us greater insight into God’s plans for our lives and the ordered steps we should take. God’s advice to us is not to fall behind the times, but to remain in His wisdom, which endures from age to age and offers us solid precepts for handling any situation – online or offline – with integrity and success.

General Christian

Technology and Religion

About Lee Ann B. Marino

Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.Min., D.D. (”The Spitfire”) is “everyone’s favorite theologian” leading Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z as apostle of SAFE Ministries. Her work encompasses study and instruction on leadership training and development, typology, Pneumatology, conceptual theology, Ephesians 4:11 ministry, and apostolic theology. She is author of over thirty-five books, host of the top twenty percentile podcast Kingdom Now, and serves as founder and overseer of Sanctuary International Fellowship Tabernacle - SIFT and Chancellor of Apostolic Covenant Theological Seminary. Dr. Marino has over twenty-five years of experience in ministry, leadership, counseling, mentoring, education, and business. You can read more about the author here.

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