Scrolling with Purpose: Guarding Your Heart Online
I sat down to watch one quick reel. Just one. Forty-five minutes later, I’ve learned how to fold a fitted sheet, seen a golden retriever sing harmony, and watched a guy who looks like he’s never owned a hammer tell me how to remodel my kitchen for under twenty bucks. Somewhere in there, I think a pastor yelled something inspirational, but I couldn’t hear him over the techno music. So let’s look at guarding our hearts online.
Half of what I saw didn’t make sense. The other half didn’t matter. But my thumb? Oh, it was in Olympic shape.
And then it hit me. I’d just spent nearly an hour scrolling through videos that did absolutely nothing for my soul.
We tell ourselves we don’t have time to read the Bible or pray. But apparently, we’ve got plenty of time to watch dogs do parkour.
We Say We Don’t Have Time for God… But Our Screen Time Tells on Us
Be honest — have you ever checked your “screen time” report and thought, That can’t be right?
Spoiler alert: it’s right.
The average person spends over two hours a day scrolling. Two hours! That’s enough time to read the book of Ephesians five times — or, if you’re like me, tell Siri, “Remind me to start reading my Bible tomorrow.”
Ephesians 5:15–16 (NLT) says, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”
That’s not just good advice for ancient times — it’s digital discipleship 101. The devil doesn’t need to get you to sin if he can just get you to scroll.
The Feed Is a Battlefield for the Mind
Now, don’t get me wrong — not everything online is bad. There are plenty of uplifting posts, Bible verses, and stories that inspire. But let’s be honest, most of it? Not exactly Philippians 4:8 material.
Some of it’s crude, divisive, or just plain stupid. You can’t fill your heart with garbage and expect gratitude to come out.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Every reel you watch is like planting a seed. Some grow peace, others grow poison. The question is: what’s growing in your feed?
What’s Feeding You — Faith or Frustration?
We like to think scrolling relaxes us, but be honest — do you actually feel better afterward?
You started with “just one funny video,” and now you’re three conspiracy theories deep, slightly angry at people you don’t know, and wondering why your cousin’s lunch photo got 92 likes while your Bible verse post got two (and one of those was your mom).
That’s not peace. That’s digital junk food.
Philippians 4:8 (NLT) says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
If Paul were writing that today, he might add, “And unfollow anything that makes you roll your eyes, lust, or want to throw your phone.”
Social Media Isn’t the Problem — Surrender Is the Solution
Before you start thinking I’m anti-phone, relax. God’s not asking you to delete Instagram. He’s asking you to surrender it.
The phone isn’t the problem; our focus is. We’ve trained our brains to crave constant stimulation, but spiritual growth takes stillness.
Romans 12:2 (NLT) says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
When you give God control of your attention, He’ll transform your scrolling into something meaningful. You can still enjoy memes and dog videos — just don’t let them become your daily devotion.
The Bottom Line
You can scroll through the world or stroll with the Word — but you can’t do both at once.
The next time your thumb hovers over that app, ask yourself: Will this feed my faith or my flesh?
And if you’re not sure, maybe swap the scroll for a Psalm.
And if you’re still scrolling for spiritual enlightenment, here’s a little poem for your algorithmic soul…
The Gospel According to the Algorithm
I said I’d check my Facebook quick,
Just five small minutes, y’all—
Next thing I knew, it’s half past two,
And supper’s on the stall.
I laughed at dogs in cowboy hats,
And folks who tried to sing,
Watched one guy bless his chili bowl,
Like that meant anything.
I hit a heart on Bible posts,
And typed out “Praise the Lord,”
Then scrolled right past a prayer request—
I swear, I wasn’t bored.
I shared a meme ‘bout Jesus’ love,
Then griped about the news,
Clicked “like” on someone’s testimony,
While still in my recluse.
But Heaven ain’t on Instagram,
And grace don’t come by share.
The Word of God’s the only feed
That’ll get you truly there.
So when that thumb gets itchy, friend,
And starts to take control,
Remember likes won’t save your soul—
But Jesus sure enough will make you whole.
Call to Action
If you made it all the way through this post without checking your notifications while guarding your heart online — congratulations! You’re officially more disciplined than 93% of the internet.
Now go ahead, share this blog, because let’s be honest — you’ve already shared dumber stuff today.
And if this hit a little too close to home, don’t worry — grace covers screen time too. Just don’t scroll past it.
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