8 Types of Christians Whose Online Behavior Hurts Their Witness

Excerpted From Christians in the Age of Outrage

We live in a world that is bombarded by technological developments, and our habits are being developed long before we stop to think whether these advancements and practices are helpful. In a study charting the well-being among American adolescents (measured by self-esteem, life satisfaction and happiness), psychologists discovered a significant decline beginning after 2012.

In exploring the underlying causes, researchers observed that increased use of smartphones by teenagers is likely a contributor to the trend. They found that teenagers who spent more time engaged in screen activities (e.g., social media, the internet, texting and gaming) registered lower levels of psychological well-being. On the other hand, teenagers who limited smartphone use and regularly engaged in nonscreen activities such as in-person social interactions, sports or exercise, homework and attending church activities had higher psychological well-being. In essence, technology use is having a noticeable and negative effect on our kids. Now I’m not suggesting we should return to the days of landlines or carrier pigeons, but it’s worth considering how our technology is shaping us.

Christians often have the same bad habits as everyone else, which not only damage their well-being and relationships, but also their spiritual vitality and witness.

There are several kinds of Christians who hurt our witness through their online behavior. Not all these categories are equally destructive, but they all carry inherent risk that needs to be understood. Though I can think of many Christian leaders who fall into each of these groups, my objective is not to call out examples of specific Christian leaders. In fact, people throughout the church—pastors and laypeople, theologians and students, elders and greeters—fall into these patterns. Our eyes will be drawn to find categories for the people who annoy us, but I’d encourage you to think through these examples in two ways. First, what category do those whom you are allowing to influence you fall? Second, where do you fit? Read More