Scrolls of Death: A Guide to Battling Social Media Cynicism and Finding Gospel Joy
- Rusty Dawson
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
The Digital Wilderness
Social media is quickly becoming a bottomless ocean of information where the ocean floor is yet to be seen and explored. Some of us remember the days when social media didn’t even exist yet (yes, I am that old). Back then, you had to read the newspaper to find out about the local events and watch the late-night news to find out what was happening across the country. Now, there is every bit of information, local and global, at your very fingertips. Computers, phones, tablets, smart watches, you name it; they can deliver certain information to you.
For some of us, this can be helpful, even joyful, when managed, and for others, it becomes a source of anger, bitterness, and cynicism. We become more like the Israelites in the wilderness grumbling against everything (Num. 14:1-4) rather than the joyful Christians we are called to be in Christ (Gal. 5:22). James reminds us in James 3:5-6 that the tongue is capable of starting raging fires. These raging fires can be most notable when it is an election year, a big event in our country happens, or even when someone says we are wrong in our opinion. A study from the University of Michigan shows that 70% of Americans report having political rage online, even outside of election years.
You see, social media isn’t just a tool or a place to keep in contact with friends and family; it exposes our hearts. Our hearts are bent toward negativity and cynicism due to the sinfulness of our nature. But God doesn’t leave us to fix this on our own. In Christ, through the Holy Spirit, we have heart renewal (Eze. 11:19) and mind transformation (Rom. 12:2), where we have the power to transform our feeds from poison into proclamation. We don’t have to be slaves to doom-scrolling, because in Christ, we have been set free. Let’s diagnose this problem a little bit further. As Johnathan Edwards notes in Religious Affections, true change begins in the affections-how have our hearts become attached to our feeds?
The Mechanisms of Misery: How Social Media Exploits Our Fallen Nature
Algorithms to Cynicism
Even secular studies tell us what the Bible has been trying to tell us for thousands of years: that negativity lingers and spreads because our fallen hearts are wired for threats post-fall. In a study done by Stanford in 2024[1], it was revealed that 12% of posts went more “viral” if they contained negativity. Since the fall in Genesis 3, because of sin, it has become natural to prioritize threats for survival. If we perceive a threat, we react negatively, and these negative threats tend grab hold of our hearts faster and linger much longer than anything positive does.
Another study done by PMC in 2025 shows that reading these negative comments and feeds, compared to positive or neutral ones, raised anxiety levels by 56%.[2] Algorithms have been structured to exploit the affections of our reactions, and our reactions reflect our hearts. It is also true that our hearts are “deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9), and so we must keep a diligent eye on them and protect them (Prov. 4:23). When our hearts are left unchecked, our idolatrous cravings for outrage foster echo chambers of envy and complaining (Jam. 3:14), slowly killing our joy.
By now, most of us have heard the words “doom-scrolling” and have probably taken part in it ourselves. Doom-scrolling is where users compulsively view bad news and negativity, which distorts perceptions of reality, usually aligning with preconceived ideologies. I can remember nights staring at my phone reading comments over recent wars in the biblical counseling world on X, and it is flat-out exhausting trying to keep up. If that’s you, maybe not the biblical counseling wars, but other types of infighting and negativity, you're not alone. I have been there, and so has every other weary heart chasing assurance in the digital world.
We seek affirming content, and the algorithms are happy to oblige. This creates loops of self-sustaining cynicism. From the news we receive online to the people we see the most, it’s a specially curated list, developed by an algorithm that shows us exactly what we want to see. This cynicism spreads like wildfire because it is rewarded by likes, comments, and some are even monetarily rewarded. This creates what is known as “engagement farming,” where the negative and cynical posts are purposefully made in order to garner their rewards. A vicious cycle in the heart has been started: negativity hooks users, algorithms amplify it, and cynicism takes root.
Growing Cynicism
Now that cynicism has set its claw in the heart, it begins to fester and grow. Have you felt that claw of cynicism tightening, whispering into your ear, “This world is too broken for hope?” Listen, don’t despair, turn it over to the One who mends all things. Social media platforms have a very large reach, spanning the entire globe, so long as the internet is available. This reach fuels “mass-pessimism.” We have been witnessing the power of social media over politics and its negative reinforcement against law enforcement and other government agencies. Economically speaking, mass fake news fuels a consumer-driven cynicism, where there is a negative view of just about anything you want. Mental health-wise, studies have shown that this mass negativity has developed increased rates of depression, anxiety, and even cases of suicide. Societally, it has created mountains of isolation and distrust among everyday people. Positivity has now become a luxury good that few people are capable of attaining.
We have slowly become the “scoffing fools” (Pro. 1:22), seeking confirmation bias, rather than wisdom. We love those who are like us and despise those who aren’t. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom (Pro. 14:6), but in reality is unbelief, and despises God’s common grace in the world. Cynicism breeds bitterness, anger, and disengagement with a world that God is continually working in. I am just as much a part of this as anyone else; we all are, because it is rooted in the heart of sinful people with sinful desires to be accepted and approved of by others.
Biblical Diagnosis: Negativity and Cynicism as Sin of the Heart
Wicked Hearts
Jesus tells us in Luke 6:43-45 that our mouths speak from an overflow of our hearts. The good person, out of the abundance of good in their heart, does what is good. On the other hand, the evil person, out of the abundance of evil in their heart, does what is evil; that includes our words and actions. Negativity flows from a negative heart. Bitterness, rage, slander, and clamor all grieve the Spirit, yet instead of seeing our sinfulness in this matter, we see “choice morsels” (Prov. 18:8) for the heart. But listen, Jesus Christ bore every bitter word on the cross; he doesn’t look at you with scorn, but with arms wide open, ready to give you rest.
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:31 that we ought to put away all “bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander…along with all malice.” He then tells us in verse 32 that we should instead put on kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness, just as Christ himself has forgiven us. Just think about all of the negativity and bitterness we have shown towards God (like the Israelites), yet in Christ, we are fully forgiven. Algorithms stoke the flames of our fleshly impulses; Christ stokes the flames of godly desires. We must choose which we will serve.
The Scoffers Delight
I believe there is a part of us that truly loves the negativity and cynicism. The Bible mentions the scoffers for a reason (Prov. 1:22), and we were all scoffers at one time or another (maybe we still are). For some of us, this masquerades as wisdom, yet in reality, it mocks wisdom. For others of us, it is a straight-up refusal to fear the Lord (Pro. 1:7), and instead, we fear others.
Think about the Israelites as they were delivered from oppression in Egypt. God did marvelous things and brought them through the Red Sea, promised them land and people, and yet they grumbled at the slightest inconvenience. This is known as practical atheism; it is questioning God’s goodness and sovereignty in trials and suffering, exactly like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness begging to go back to Egypt. They were so negative that they believed it would be better under Pharaoh, enduring harsh labor for the rest of their lives. But God was still merciful and full of grace towards them.
Heart-Level Hope: Strategies for Digital Sanctification
By now, you're probably thinking, “Man, this guy is really being negative about negativity!” I am! But here is the good news: Jesus saves us from all of this! Here are a few ways we can see real transformation in our lives in this area of growing negativity and cynicism: renewing our minds, Word-centered community, and prayer.
Renewing our Minds
Paul instructs us in Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” With the Holy Spirit in us, we are actively being transformed, but this isn’t a passive transformation. It takes work and getting into God’s Word in order to get our minds out of the gutter of negativity. Start small, a single unfollow, a single verse memorized each week, a prayer of confession. God uses it. The same Spirit who raised Christ is living inside of you. Practically, this means curating our feeds with edifying things rather than the negative things we commonly look at. Follow people who are like-minded and mute or unfollow those that aren’t. Do a weekly audit on your social media accounts and start making changes for the better.
Word-Centered Community
Isolation is never good for anyone. God gave us the biggest community of people we could ever want. We combat isolation by engaging in this community. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us not only to meet together, which is often the use of these verses, but also “to stir one another up to love and good works.” Engaging with your church, small groups, discipleship groups, prayer meetings, whatever it is, get into it! Share your worries, fears, and anxieties so that others know and can help you. Share your wins. Share what God is doing in your life. Share whatever is going on! Most importantly, preach the gospel to one another and encourage one another to love and good works! All the negativity and cynicism in the world will flee when the gospel is deeply rooted in our hearts. Lastly, consider this: Is your scrolling/posting/commenting stirring others up to love and good works, or is it creating more negativity and cynicism?
Prayer and Witness
With much prayer, you can turn your platform from doom to joy. You can turn your platform into a redemptive tool used to glorify God rather than a tool for evil to reign. In Philippians 4:8, Paul reminds us to dwell on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Pray to God, “Lord help me to dwell on what is good, true, and joyful in this world rather than focusing on the bad and negative that is thrown in my face all day.” From this, your joy begins to shine forth, and you become a witness for Christ. Being negative all the time is exhausting. People want joy and rest; you can show them where to find it.
None of this will happen overnight. But God is actively working in you through His Spirit and slowly changing you into the image of the Son. It takes time and practice, but you can do it because you have the power of Christ within you to do it.
Conclusion: From Digital Despair to Eternal Delight
In the end, battling the scrolls of death means embracing the scroll of life—God's unchanging Word—that turns our digital despair into eternal delight. As we curate feeds and cultivate hearts aflame with gospel joy, let this doxological truth anchor us: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:28-29). Praise be to the Sovereign Creator, who redeems even our doom-scrolls into threads of conformity to Christ—our ultimate hope amid the feed's fleeting fury!
If this was encouraging, please share and tag someone else who might benefit from reading this. For more information on counseling, more blog posts, or general information, please see the website at www.sovereigncarecounseling.com
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