Boundless Daily: Kindness in the Comments Section
- Boundless Team
- Mar 12
- 5 min read
It’s Monday morning. You’ve got your coffee in one hand and your phone in the other. You’re scrolling through your feed, catching up on the world before the day really starts.
Then you see it.
That one comment. Maybe it’s a political jab, a theological disagreement, or just someone being unnecessarily rude. You feel that heat rise in your chest. Your thumbs are already hovering over the keyboard, ready to craft the perfect, stinging rebuttal.
We’ve all been there.
In the digital age, the "comments section" has become the new town square. It’s where we discuss, debate, and unfortunately, where we often forget our mission as followers of Christ.
At Boundless Online Church, we help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online. That growth doesn’t stop when we close our Bible app; it continues into every text we send and every comment we post.
The Digital Neighbor
When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, His answer was clear: Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31).
In the first century, a neighbor was someone living in the next tent or the house down the street. In 2026, your neighbor is also the person behind the screen name "User405" who just posted something you completely disagree with.
It’s easy to be kind to the person sitting across from you at a table. You can see their eyes, hear their tone, and witness their humanity.
Online, that humanity is stripped away. We see an avatar and a string of text. It acts as a shield, making us feel like our words don't have real-world consequences. But they do.
Every person in every comment section is someone created in the image of God. They are someone Christ died for. When we engage online, we aren't just managing data; we are interacting with souls.
Holy Character in a High-Speed World
One of the core beliefs we hold dear in the Assemblies of God is the importance of holy character. We believe that the Holy Spirit works within us to produce fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Notice that "kindness" and "self-control" are right there on the list.
If we claim to be Spirit-empowered believers, that power should be evident in how we handle digital conflict. Sanctification isn't just about what we stop doing in our "real" lives; it’s about how we reflect Christ in our digital ones.
Are we using our "online breath" to build up or to tear down?
The internet doesn't need more experts or more critics. It needs more people who are "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry" (James 1:19).
In a digital context, that means being quick to read, slow to type, and very slow to hit "send."
The Three-Second Rule
Before you post that comment, the one that feels so justified and so right, try the three-second rule.
Pause. Take three seconds. Ask yourself three questions:
Is it true? (Does this align with Biblical truth and factual reality?)
Is it helpful? (Does this move the conversation forward or just add noise?)
Is it kind? (Does this reflect the heart of Jesus?)
If the answer to any of those is "no," it’s probably better to leave the keyboard alone.
This isn't about being "polite" for the sake of social norms. It’s about tech safety and spiritual health. For families and parents, teaching this to the next generation is vital. Our children are watching how we handle online disagreement. They learn how to treat others by seeing how we treat strangers in the Bible Study Club or on public news articles.
Dealing with Trolls and Graceful Exits
We’ve all encountered "trolls": people who comment specifically to provoke an angry response.
Jesus dealt with religious leaders and critics who tried to trap Him in His words constantly. How did He respond? Sometimes He answered with a question. Sometimes He spoke the hard truth with love. And sometimes, He remained silent.
You are not obligated to win every argument on the internet. In fact, you will almost never "win" an argument in a comments section. You might, however, win a heart by showing unexpected grace.
If a conversation turns toxic, it is okay to step away. Gentleness isn't weakness; it’s strength under control. By choosing not to engage in a digital shouting match, you are preserving your peace and protecting your testimony.
If you’re struggling with feeling overwhelmed by the negativity you see online, you’re not alone. Our community is here to support you. You can find resources and encouragement in our Prayer & Worship section.
A Mission Field in the Palm of Your Hand
For many of our community members: shift workers, those who are homebound, or individuals living in areas where traditional church is inaccessible: the internet is their primary connection to the Body of Christ.
When you post a kind word, a word of encouragement, or a thoughtful response, you are practicing digital missions. You are being a light in a dark place.
Think about the person who is scrolling through a thread of hate and suddenly comes across your comment of peace. That might be the only "sermon" they see all week.
Your kindness in the comments section is a form of outreach. It’s a way to show the world that there is a different way to live: a way governed by the love of Jesus.
Practical Steps for a Kind Week
As we move through this week, let’s challenge ourselves to be intentional.
Look for the lonely: If you see someone being ganged up on in a thread, offer a kind word of support.
Celebrate others: Use your comments to highlight something good someone else has done.
Pray before you post: If you feel a post is important, ask the Holy Spirit to guide your words so they reflect Him.
Check your heart: If you find yourself getting angry often, it might be time to take a break from certain apps or groups.
We invite you to join the conversation in a healthy way. Our I’m New Q&A Welcome Center is a great place to practice this kind of community engagement.
Growing Together
Being a "digital neighbor" isn't always easy. It requires discipline and a constant reliance on God’s grace. But the impact is worth it.
When we choose kindness, we aren't just making the internet a better place; we are participating in the work of the Kingdom. We are showing a watching world that Jesus makes a difference in every part of our lives: even the parts that happen at 60 characters per second.
If you’re looking for more ways to grow your faith and connect with a community that values this kind of digital discipleship, check out our Faith & Discipleship blog.
Let's make this week different. Let's let our "speech always be with grace" (Colossians 4:6), whether we are speaking it out loud or typing it on a screen.
What’s one way you can show kindness online today? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.
Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.
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