Christianity: Discussed Online or Lived Out Offline?

Johann · July 13, 2025, 11:09pm

Brothers and sisters, here is a question that’s been pressing on my heart:

Is our faith something we are meant to spend time discussing online, or is it something we are meant primarily to live out in the real world? Or is it both? How do we strike that balance biblically?

I ask this because so much of Christian interaction today happens in forums, comment sections, livestreams, and debates, while the New Testament speaks overwhelmingly about loving and serving one another in tangible ways within a real, embodied community of believers.

Let me lay out a few biblical observations to frame this discussion, and then I’d love to hear how others wrestle with this balance.

Our faith is meant to be lived out, not just spoken about

James 1:22 is clear: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Christianity has never been a mere intellectual or verbal exercise. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus calls us to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Notice He doesn’t say they will see our posts or arguments, they will see our lives.

Paul in Romans 12:1–2 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship, showing that the Christian life is embodied and lived in action, not just words.

Words matter, we are called to teach, exhort, and defend the faith

On the other hand, Scripture also places high value on faithful teaching, exhortation, and even public defense of the gospel. Paul charges Timothy: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). Peter exhorts believers to always be prepared to give an answer (ἀπολογία) for the hope that is in them, yet with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

The apostles themselves wrote letters, the “online posts” of their day, to instruct, correct, and encourage believers far beyond their immediate presence. Even Jesus’ own words in John 17 show concern for those who would believe through the apostles’ word. The truth must be spoken and discussed.

Words without deeds are empty, and deeds without words are mute

James 2:14–17 warns us that faith without works is dead. If we talk theology online but neglect the poor, the widow, and our brother in need, our faith is hollow. On the other hand, Romans 10:14–17 reminds us that people cannot believe unless they hear the Word, and how will they hear without someone proclaiming it? So words and deeds go hand in hand.

The church is meant to be local, relational, and embodied

Hebrews 10:24–25 commands us to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another all the more as the Day draws near.

Online interaction can never fully replace the relational reality of the body of Christ gathered in person. 1 Corinthians 12 describes the church as one body with many members, joined together and dependent on one another, an image that requires physical presence and mutual care.

So what does this mean for us?
My thought is that Christianity is always meant to be lived out first, and spoken boldly when called for. Online platforms can be used for good, to teach, to encourage, to sharpen, to proclaim truth, but they are never a substitute for the daily, humble obedience of loving God, loving neighbor, and bearing our cross.

We cannot retreat into a purely private life and avoid testifying to Christ, nor can we hide behind endless digital discussion while failing to love and serve real people in our homes, churches, and neighborhoods. Both matter.

So here are some questions to discuss:

Have you personally struggled to live out offline what you discuss online? How do you guard against hypocrisy?

What are some ways we can use online discussion redemptively, without letting it distract us from obedience?

How do you keep your offline witness vibrant and tangible while still speaking the truth online?

I would love to hear how others navigate this tension. Let’s remember the words of Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Looking forward to hearing your insights.

J.

KPuff · July 14, 2025, 12:28pm

@Johann
Thanks for the great thoughts.

I don’t think I have struggled in this way, not that I am conscious of.

For me, being online is simply another arena of testimonial life. If I’m obedient offline, I am obedient online, and visa-versa.

I find no real conflict between the two. My life testifies to what I believe in every arena, The light that God lit in me, like a city on a hill, cannot be hid.

These are good thoughts @Johann. Here are a couple of my own personal thougths on this topic.

Testimonial living is expressed in every facet of life, from the moment our feet touch the floor in the morning, to our last conscious thought of the day. It could probably be demonstrated that every person lives “testimonially”, moment by moment; i.e. that human actions are derivative of personal beliefs, and so a person’s beliefs can be seen through their actions. If one believes we are only material machines, that person’s actions will bear that out. Likewise if you believe mankind is made in the image of his creator, finds himself in a dire situation, and that a gracious offer has been made by his creator to rescue him from the horrible situation his rebellion has gotten him into, and you are comissioned to explain that offer, that also will be seen in all your actions. We never know for sure what another person truly believes, but we do develop strong inferences based on how we see them behave. When Jesus told His disciples “You shall be my witnesses…”, He was saying you will go and live out what you believe about me.

For me, the tension you suggest is not something I think I experience; I don’t think I try to present my testimony differently specifically because I am online than I do when I’m offline. I’m sure I, in some ways, present my testimony slightly differently in different situations, but The Apostle Paul spoke of that variation in this way:

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1 Corinthians 9:19-22

Paul did not think of himself as a hypocrite, even when he made allowances in his testimony to meet the specific needs of his audience. For me, being online, at this point in my life, is sort of like this. Writing does highlight a different part of my testimony than personal verbal interaction. I am regularly involved in both, and I gladly admit some differences in presentation. One major difference to me is the expectation of being heard. In most verbal interactions I have with both believers and non-believers, I do about 90% of the listening, and try to make the most of the 10% (or less) allotted time for sharing. Online, writing, I am afforded much more uninterrupted time to express myself. This one difference alone makes my testimony here display differently than :out-there”.

Thanx for your questions.
KP