Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Progressive Christian
Education and Religion
Catching the Small Internet Actions that Impact our Faith

Catching the Small Internet Actions that Impact our Faith

Last updated on: September 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm by Lee Ann B. Marino

Catching the Small Internet Actions that Impact our Faith 2026-08-17T13:24:20-04:00 Lee Ann B. Marino

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

We live in an overwhelming world. Whether we narrate our world through the narrow lens of the internet, or we utilize the internet to help us expand our world, it’s easy to think “bigger is better.” Comparing ourselves to others (or what we think we know of them), feeling dwarfed in the presence of mega ministries that utilize technology in ways we cannot afford, nor imagine, and thinking influencers have it all together can make us feel small and unimportant. Doing small things can seem irrelevant. How can anyone notice us if we don’t do something big?

Truth be told, the Bible teaches us that doing small things is just as relevant as doing big ones. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus uses a very small thing to indicate the power of faith:

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (ESV)

Jesus teaches Christians the world over that small things matter in their faith. Just as doing small things right impacts our faith, catching the wrong small things also makes a huge difference.

Dark screen with colored computer code

Photo by Ilya Pavlov on Unsplash

The internet and small things

Fifty years ago, the internet didn’t exist. Today, we can’t imagine life without it. As a window to the whole world, it can serve as an important tool for education, connection, and yes, evangelism. However, the internet poses a threefold problem.

Distorting reality

The first is that it can distort reality. We all know the story behind YouTube videos that have resurrected long-debunked conspiracy theories. In a bigger sense, too much time on the internet can cause us to think what we see online is always real.

Once upon a time, I saw story after story on Facebook featuring couples making grand gestures to one another. Several husbands bought their wives cars, and a few others bought jewelry. At the time, I was married to my first husband and my marriage was problematic, at best. There were no grand gestures. Small gestures were few and far between. Seeing so many people who seemed happier than me was the last thing I needed.

While in prayer, God told me that “things aren’t always as they appear.” Within six months, all of the couples – and their grand gestures – were divorced. God gave me a long lesson in realizing I coveted a lifestyle that wasn’t even reality. I was comparing myself – and my marriage – with others who were just as problematic.

I’m not alone in comparing myself to a false reality online. Whether the distortion is as personal as mine was, or it’s something deeper – distortion of social or political fact, blurring the line between truth and fiction – the internet can be a place that abounds in comparisons with no accountability.

The Great Pretender

Akin to the world of distortion is the reality that we aren’t always honest about who we are online. The internet – as a general forum – gives us the opportunity to be whoever we want to be, even if much of it isn’t real. From dating apps where people pose as fantasy people to social media, where people claim to be any sort of professions with no training at all, the reality exists that not everyone is who they say they are. In a more immediate sense, how honest are we about who we are online?

Do your online profiles seem like a sterling example of perfection – especially that others would aspire or hope to become? In a bigger question, are they real? While many of us have a habit of mixing truth and fiction about ourselves in online personas, intentional deception always has consequences.

Forgetting offline engagements

We will discuss this specific point as a bigger issue in the headings to come. Many people – especially those who are isolated, lonely, or distant from others – absorb into the world of the internet. They do so to the detriment of real-time relationships and pursuits, all of which may seem complicated or hard to manage. Being online can make one feel bigger than they are, leading to the dismissal of doing small things offline.

Catching the little foxes

The things I mentioned above might not seem that big in the scope of world events. Shouldn’t our focus be on huge matters? The Bible gives a very interesting thought in Song of Solomon 2:15:

Catch the foxes for us— the little foxes that spoil the vineyard. Our vineyard is now in bloom. (ERV)

In the middle of this book that primarily focuses on relationships, we learn that it is “little foxes” that spoil the vine. In other words, small things do matter. We shouldn’t be so busy looking at big things that we forget to monitor and do small things, too. It’s those small ones that, in the end, will spoil our work. Catching the little things before they become a problem make a difference in the product of our long-term work.

I am not one of those leaders who thinks the internet is inherently evil. I think it is a neutral tool that can be used for good or for bad. I’ve been through the evolution of internet communication, through dial-up to Ethernet to high-speed, from email to community posting boards to forums to social networking. It’s definitely not something to fear, but it’s also important to know how to properly use it to grow and gain traction. If we want to get there, we must mind ourselves and catch those little foxes before they spoil the vine.

Using titles you don’t have

The use of titles is controversial in Christianity. As big-name preachers celebrate themselves without posting formal titles, many believe the use of titles reflects vanity. I disagree with this, if for no other reason that anything can become vanity. The proper use of ministerial titles and offices convey respect and clarity as to what each work does. That being said, it’s poor taste to misrepresent yourself as something you’re not. If you don’t have credentialing in some form with the title you use, that’s going to rub people on all sides of the title argument the wrong way.

Posting on every thread that comes across your feed

A few of these issues relate to our use of time and interaction with the real world. This is one of those. When social media was new, it was customary for us to think we needed to attend every argument that came for us. People would spend hours going back and forth, carefully posing responses in accord with the issue at hand. What many of us came to discover is that no matter what we said, people often didn’t change their perspectives, no matter how brilliant our responses.

I’m not saying you can’t ever post on a thread, have a conversation, or pose an issue online. However, you don’t have to engage every fight, naysayer, or differing opinion. 2 Timothy 2:23 advises:

But have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations [useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies], since you know that they produce strife and give birth to quarrels. (AMP)

There’s a whole world to engage outside the internet. Work and varying tasks still need to be done. Don’t spend all your time focused on online feeds.

Exhibiting constant hostility

Current political and social trends laud hostility. It’s seen as a sign of superiority, often associated with masculinity. Voicing hyper-played ideas that are not facts is considered an exercise of free speech. Name-calling, degrading, and insulting others is seen as acceptable, even desirable.

The problem with these behaviors is none of them are Christian. There is nowhere in Scripture where such virulent displays of hostility are considered desirable for Christians. Colossians 4:6 advises:

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (NIV)

Persistent hostility isn’t a spiritual witness; it’s a deterrent. It’s also a small thing that can easily become a big thing if we don’t discipline ourselves to behave properly. If the world has you that angry, consulting a mental health professional might be in order.

Using social media to vent family or personal situations

There was a time in history when we were so guarded online, we didn’t even use our real names. Our over-personalization of social media has caused us to forget the internet is a big place. The things we post aren’t easily erased, even if we do delete them later. There’s long-standing records of our content, commentary, and yes, vents.

The hard truth is that most of the internet doesn’t care about your personal situations. Everyone online has their own issues to deal with, and the last thing they want to hear about is your marital, family, or dating drama. As a side note: Watching ministers fall is a fetish, and there are some who probably will enjoy your periods of trial and angst. Leave the dirty laundry in the hamper and doing small things that improve your own mental health and well-being.

If you’re having a hard time in some area of your life, talking to your pastor, apostle, or other leader can be a great step forward. Talking to friends and other family members can also help. Counselors and other mental health professionals can also assist with bigger problems beyond the immediate scope of community support. Just remember: the internet isn’t a therapist.

Promoting pyramid schemes

I remember when the “in” thing to do was sell herbal supplements. Then it was coffee. Next came travel agents. The world is full of get-rich-quick schemes that don’t change anyone’s life, not in the least. I get that times are hard and money is a challenge, especially when trying to balance ministry and secular work. The reality is, however, that none of these selling schemes amount to a profit long-term. It also generally annoys others on social media when they’re trying to connect with friends and family and someone is constantly trying to sell them tea, supplements, or something else.

Asking for money inappropriately

Akin to the point I made above, times are tough financially. That doesn’t mean we have the right to beg for money in everyone’s inboxes. Save serious incidents, it’s not the entire world’s fault when we hit hard times. While I know of individuals who might work to help someone avoid foreclosure or eviction through personal fundraisers, we shouldn’t use our ministries as forays to pump up our own situations (unless they are gravely serious). Likewise, using a ministry fundraiser for your own personal gain is a huge no-no. It can cause you to lose your nonprofit, tax-exempt status.

Fundraisers are fine. For ministry purposes, keep your ministry fundraisers separate from personal ones.

Posting inappropriate photos or content

There are many reasons why posting inappropriate photos or content could turn into far more than doing small things. Potential employers, ministry associates, and other contacts all comb through social media nowadays, looking to see what they can find about you.

Whether minister, Christian, or not, you are absolutely allowed to have a life. You are also allowed to share that life with others. But just as we don’t share everything about ourselves with others (especially people we don’t know), we shouldn’t put everything out there for the world to see. Considering we often don’t know people online as well as we think, we don’t want to give too much access to people who don’t need to have it.

If you are interested in something such as thirst trapping or specialized modeling, having specific accounts for such should address any issues. Even with such, remember good boundaries of personal decency and attire.

Expecting the whole internet to entertain your personal standards

As we talk about doing small things, perhaps keeping this point in mind will help the most across the board. The internet features the entire world. While the majority of people on our pages and those we follow might believe much as we do, this isn’t the case for everyone. At some point in time, someone will cross your feed that doesn’t live, feel, or believe as you do. How you handle this situation is the difference between a lasting Christian witness and offense.

Biblical standards – however such are interpreted – are to be upheld by believers. They aren’t standards we can expect the whole world to adopt, no matter how good the principles may be. Arguing, fighting, and lecturing others on conduct isn’t the best way to spend time online. If something is offensive to you, there’s always the option to unfriend or unfollow, hide a post, or scroll on by.

As a side point: doing small things online can make a huge difference in perspective. Make sure your statues, posts, and memes are grammatically correct. Check for spelling errors before posting. Polish your own language. Such goes a long way in communicating online!

Ignoring the big world offline

The internet is a tool…not a lifestyle. It was never intended to become bigger than the world itself. Likewise, the internet isn’t a substitute for in-person, real-time interaction. Watching church online is not the same as going to church in person. Spending time with friends isn’t the same as talking on messenger. Your family, friends, and church need and want you around. Fresh air, exercise, and spending time outdoors does wonders for both faith and mental health. Your book-bound Bible – not an app, but actual Bible – is calling!

Don’t get so absorbed into the world online that you forget about life offline. There’s a whole world to see and embrace if we are willing to unplug and experience it.

Finding balance in a technical world

When it comes to finding a balance, perfection is not expected. All of us have days when we don’t feel very holy and don’t do things right. Acting perfect online is an aspiration none can achieve. Scrolling through old statuses and posts reveal a history far from focus on doing small things. What we can do is recognize that now is a time to step up and show ourselves to be who God has called us to be. Carrying ourselves with dignity, ethics, and honor online goes a long way in showing the world a counterpoint to assumptions of faith today.

The internet is a big place. There are lots of opportunities to work wonders and have an awesome ministry presence online. The thing we cannot forget is that the way we behave online is a good indication of how you conduct yourself in ministry work. Such goes noticed. We like to talk big, but doing small things keep us from harm. Let’s avoid the temptation to turn others off and remember: online, small things matter.

General Christian

Technology and Religion

current events

Leadership

Ministry

Spiritual development

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.

Previous Post

August 26, 2026

Spiritual Reflections of an Educator for Back-to-School

Next Post

September 9, 2026 Jezebel: The Woman we Never Knew

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category BIble education Bible history Bible study bible women church history Cult education current events holidays Leadership Ministry queer events Spiritual development Uncategorized wellbeing women in christianity women in ministry world religion

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Pentecost" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Twelve Firstfruits Fiftieth Forty