Cultivating Christlike Compassion on Social Media
From subtle jabs and harsh comments to careless accusations and everything in between, spending time on social media can quickly reveal the lack of compassion that often characterizes our online interactions. But that doesn’t mean that social media is all bad. One of the things that I love most about my job at Revive Our Hearts is interacting with our social media audience. Day in and day out, I read comments and direct messages and engage with our followers. I get to hear the stories of how the Lord is at work in the lives of women worldwide and connect with sisters in Christ who I might never be able to chat with otherwise.
Still, even in my mostly Christian circles on social media, I can easily find myself becoming frustrated when harsh words fly. Then my own fleshly desires rise up and I’m tempted to respond in the same way.
While I do occasionally have to respond to these harsher comments as part of my job, the constant reminder that I am representing Revive Our Hearts gives me an added layer of self-control. It causes me to pause, pray, and respond intentionally with greater compassion and grace because I know that It isn’t just my reputation on the line;I am a representative of something bigger than myself. The Lord has used this concept to point me toward an even greater reality:whenever I am on social media, regardless of what account I am logged into, I am a representative of Christ.
Called to Compassion
As followers of Jesus, we should be known for our Christlike compassion, but the anonymity of social media can make it easy for us to forget that there’s a person created in the image of God on the other side of the screen. This sometimes leads us to forget our call to be different from the world and causes us to abandon the compassionate ways of our Lord.
The next time that you’re tempted to respond harshly to a social media post or perhaps to sigh and roll your eyes in silent judgment, pause and turn to the Lord, asking Him to change your heart and guide your words. Here are a few practical ways to pray as you’re engaging online that will help you choose compassion as you represent Christ.
Lord, Make Me Wise
When you come across a social media post or comment that causes your heart to respond in frustration, anger, or judgment, your reflex might be to respond with whatever first comes to mind. But before you type anything, let me encourage you to stop and ask the Lord for wisdom.
Sometimes, wisdom might mean walking away for a while and then coming back to respond in a way that represents Christ well. Sometimes, wisdom might mean recognizing that it's better not to respond at all.
Whatever the case may be, James 1:5 tells us that the Lord “generously and ungrudgingly” gives wisdom to those who ask for it. Take heart in knowing that He will guide you through the situation.
Lord, Guide My Words
If there are times when wisdom dictates that you should respond on social media, ask the Lord to guide your response. When our emotions rise up within us, our self-control and compassion often head for the door. This can lead to us saying (or typing) things that we will later come to regret as our “emotional high” wears off.
In Psalm 141:3 David asks the Lord for protection from sin with this request, “LORD, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.”
Just as David sought the Lord’s help to control his speech, we too can ask for divine assistance in guarding our words. Ask the Lord to help you respond in ways that are full of grace and truth (John 1:14), seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6), and acceptable to the Lord (Psalm 19:14). Your compassionate response may plant the seeds of the gospel in their hearts for years to come.
Lord, Soften My Heart
It’s easy to view others on social media through the lens of our own emotions and frustrations. Even if you know the person in “real life,” it can be hard to remember that they could be dealing with situations that you aren’t aware of or to make assumptions about their motives.
If that person on the other side of the screen isn’t a believer, it’s wise to remind yourself that lost people act like lost people. We cannot expect them to uphold biblical standards when they may not even know what they are and don’t have the Holy Spirit within them.
Seek to see people as God sees them—with love, compassion, and grace. When you feel the urge to react in anger or frustration, pray for the Lord to soften your heart. Ask Him to help you view the person behind the post as one created in His image, in need of the same grace and understanding that you would seek for yourself.
Matthew 9:36 describes Jesus looking at a crowd of people with compassion, “because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.” Ask the Lord to give you a heart like Jesus—one that looks beyond the surface and sees the deeper needs of those around you. This shift in perspective can transform your interactions and allow you to respond with empathy and compassion, even in challenging situations.
Lord, Change Hearts
Finally, take a minute to pray for the person who shared the post or comment. Ask the Lord to be a comfort to them if they are hurting, and to soften their heart to His truth if what they shared was against God’s Word. Ask the Lord to draw them to Himself and make His love and truth known to them in a real way.
While you may never personally see the fruit of these prayers, you can have confidence in knowing that you pray to a powerful God. Trust that He is able to do a work in this person’s life.
In reality, every click and comment carries weight because it isn’t just our reputation on the line. The digital divide between us doesn’t change the fact that we are representatives of something bigger than ourselves. We can live countercultural digital lives by leading with compassion as we represent our compassionate Savior.
Jesus showed us that true compassion is love in action. Would you prayerfully consider putting your love for Him into action today with a gift to help us call needy, hurting women to freedom, fullness, and fruitfulness in Christ? When you make a donation of any amount, we’d love to send you a copy of the booklet Uncommon Compassion: Revealing the Heart of God by Erin Davis as our thanks.
