I remember a time when getting a message out to the world meant you had to earn it. You had to prove yourself. Not just with what you said, but with how you lived.
It was a slow, deliberate process, like a long, hard climb up a mountain. You didn’t just get to the top; you were changed by the journey. But now? We live in a world where a single post, a single video, can make you “famous” overnight. A few million clicks, and suddenly you have a platform, a voice, and a whole lot of influence.
What we often don’t see is what’s missing. The character. The integrity. The patient work of being faithful in the small things before being handed a big megaphone. I know I have been there personally, chasing the noise and the validation, only to find it left me feeling more empty than before. This is a journey we’re on together, and I want to talk about why the digital age, with all its promise, can be so dangerous when it comes to true leadership and genuine purpose.
The Unshakable Foundation: What the Bible Says About Responsibility and Character
I’ve learned that you can’t build a transformed life on a shaky foundation. My own journey showed me that true, lasting change starts with a relationship with Jesus. It’s about a foundational shift in how we see ourselves and our purpose. The Bible isn’t just a book of rules; it’s a guide to living a life of purpose and personal responsibility.
The truth is that we are each personally accountable to God. We can’t pass the buck. Paul tells us, “each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). It’s a sobering thought, but also a liberating one. My life isn’t just my own to do with as I please. Every word, every action. Even the “careless words” (Matthew 12:36) carry weight. In a world of fleeting posts and comments, this truth often feels forgotten. What we type with our hands is just as important as what we say with our mouths. It’s a truth that calls us to live with intention.
This is also where the idea of stewardship comes in. God isn’t just interested in what we do; He’s interested in what we do with what He’s given us. Everything we have, our time, our money, our gifts, our relationships, are treasures entrusted to us. And yes, that includes the platforms and tools we have in this digital age. The goal isn’t to build our own kingdom; it’s to use what we’ve been given to glorify Him and serve others. That’s a huge shift from the current grind of self-promotion.
The Small Stuff Matters: A Word on Character
One of my favorite truths in the Bible, one that really challenges me, is from Luke 16:10: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
It’s so easy to dismiss the “little things” in our lives. The quiet moments, the unseen choices, the small acts of kindness that no one sees. But this verse tells us that those small choices are everything. They are the seeds of our character. How we handle a tiny platform, a small group of friends, or a single comment section reveals who we really are.
It’s in this “unseen” process that true character is formed. It’s a quiet, often difficult work. It’s the late nights, the early mornings, the messy conversations, the moments of doubt and faith. It’s the patient nurturing of integrity when no one is watching. The biblical standard for leadership isn’t about being seen; it’s about being faithful. A large platform isn’t the goal; it’s a result of that faithfulness.
But the digital world flips this on its head. It gives us the “much” (a huge platform or large following) before we’ve proven ourselves faithful with the “little.” This disconnect is dangerous because it puts people in a position of authority before their character has caught up. And when that happens, we usually get a lot of noise, but not a lot of wisdom.
A Tale of Two Worlds: Fame vs. Authority
In the digital world, success is often measured by what the world calls vanity metrics: likes, shares, followers, and views. It’s a whole culture built around chasing the next viral hit. We curate our lives, crafting a “personal brand” to look likable, trustworthy, and authentic. But what we’re really doing is performing.
I can tell you from my own experience, it was frighteningly easy to create a personal narrative and avatar persona online to validate my own sinful, immoral decisions. I was living a completely different life behind closed doors, but to the world, I looked good on paper. And I think so often everyone is so quick to forget that “good on paper” is just that. A superficial measure we cling to because it’s easier than looking deeper. People are so ready to back someone up simply because they align with whatever narrative they want to get behind at the moment. I learned a hard truth: the loudest voices are often the ones of people who are trying to distract and deflect. People who are genuinely authentic don’t feel the need to convince others of their validity.
This isn’t a new problem. Jesus warned against the Pharisees who “do all their deeds to be seen by others” (Matthew 6:5). It was a warning against a heart that seeks human praise more than God’s approval. The digital platform can easily become our new “street corner” for public performance. The danger isn’t the technology; it’s the “why” behind what we’re doing. Are we posting for God’s glory or for our own? Are we seeking His “well done” or an audience’s applause?
This leads to a critical distinction:
- Fame is simply being known. It’s shallow, fleeting, and based on popularity. It’s a byproduct of a moment, not a lifetime of work.
- Authority is being followed. It’s a deep, stable influence rooted in a proven track record of integrity and expertise. It is earned, not given.
The digital world often confuses the two, and that’s where the breakdown happens. It allows for the “appeal to false authority,” where someone’s fame is mistaken for a deeper wisdom. We see this all the time: a celebrity, famous for their acting, suddenly becomes an expert on nutrition or endorses a particular viewpoint. Their fame makes us pause and listen, but their lack of real authority can lead us astray.
The way it used to work was that our influence grew from our character. Our actions, our ethics, our relationships. These were the true building blocks of our reputation. But now, social media can grant a platform to someone who has none of that, allowing the tool to precede the substance of character.
Finding Your Path: A Call to Digital Stewardship
So, what do we do? We don’t have to throw our phones off the balcony or into the ocean. The answer isn’t to get rid of technology but to reclaim it as a tool for God’s purposes. We are called to be digital stewards, using our platforms to “uplift others” and to be a light in the darkness.
This is a call to a new kind of digital life, one built not on chasing fame but on building character. Here’s what that can look like in real life:
- Prioritize Accountability: I’ve learned that it’s crucial to have a trusted real world friend who can speak into my life. Give someone permission to hold you accountable for your online life. To ask, “Why did you post that?” or “What was your heart behind that comment?” Their honest perspective can be a life-saver.
- Check Your Heart Before You Post: Before you hit “send” on a heated comment or a post designed to get attention, take a moment. Ask yourself: “Is this pleasing to God? Am I building up or tearing down?” The words we put out there are a reflection of what’s in our hearts.
- Use Words to Build Up, Not Tear Down: It’s so easy to get caught up in online arguments and cutting sarcasm. But God calls us to a higher standard. Our words should bring grace and encouragement, not discord.
- Be Willing to Walk Away: If a platform becomes a stumbling block for your spiritual health, it may be time to unplug. A “digital fast” can be a powerful discipline, helping you confront your dependency on external validation and recenter your life on what truly matters.
Ultimately, the goal isn’t to build a big platform. The goal is to build a life of genuine integrity and purpose, one that’s a reflection of God’s love and grace. The real “likes” we should be after are the ones that come from our Father, the ones that matter for eternity.
The world might celebrate the size of our platform, but God celebrates the depth of our character. So let’s choose to be faithful in the “little things,” trusting that in His perfect timing, He will entrust us with the “much.”
Your healing journey starts here. I challenge you to join me as I ask God to keep me accountable and humble while speaking truth in love. Let’s walk this path together.
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