Holy but Heated: Too Spicy for The Group Chat; Too Real to Ignore | Holy or Just Trending? When Influence Gets Iffy

Have you ever followed a Christian influencer and felt… weird?

Like, you love Jesus, but some posts just don’t sit right.

Maybe they say all the right things—‘God is good!’—but you notice the merch links, the collabs, the constant ‘look at me’ vibes.

Let’s be real—every one of us has had that tiny thought: “If I could just go viral for Jesus…”

You know what I’m talking about—posting that Bible verse reel with the perfect background song, hoping maybe this time it’ll blow up and God will get all the glory… but low-key, you also wouldn’t hate it if you did too.

Welcome to the 2nd episode of our new series: Holy but Heated: Too Spicy for the Group Chat; Too Real to Ignore, where we talk about the stuff nobody’s comfortable saying out loud: what happens when being ‘holy’ starts trending, and where clout quietly becomes your idol.

In today’s episode: “Holy or Just Trending? When Influence Gets Iffy” …

We’re talking about what happens when faith becomes performative, when your posts feel more like content than conviction, and when clout sneaks its way into your calling. And yes—we’re also talking about how to spot other influencers whose motives might be compromised, not just how to guard your own heart.

By the end of today’s episode, you’ll:

• Start spotting flashy performance versus true anointing in yourself and others.

• Understand the secret power of checking motives constantly.

• See the difference between influence that points upward versus influence that points inward.

So buckle up, grab your headphones, and let’s dive deeper—into the behind-the-scenes of faith, feeds, and the sometimes slippery slope between Jesus and “look at me.”

SPOTTING JEOPARDIZED INFLUENCERS: THE REAL TALK

Before we dive into your heart check, let’s get real about something most people don’t talk about: not every Christian influencer is operating with pure motives. Some are in it for discipleship—but others? They’re building a brand, stacking clout, and polishing a spotlight for themselves.

You know the ones: their feed is all Bible verses, prayer captions, and “God is good” vibes—but every post subtly points back to them. Merch collabs. Shoutouts. Trend-jumping. Always “look at me” dressed up as “look at Jesus.” Sometimes it’s so shiny it’s hard to see the heart behind it.

This isn’t gossip—it’s discernment. 1 John 4:1 warns us: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God.” That means we’re called to pause, observe, and evaluate—not just who we follow, but why. Ask yourself:

• Are they leading toward Jesus, or toward themselves?

• Do they call you to action, or just make you feel entertained or impressed?

• Do they glorify God in ways that stretch your faith, or do they glorify their image more than His?

This episode isn’t just about you avoiding the trap of performative faith—it’s about learning to spot it in others, too. Because in a world where clout masquerades as calling, discernment isn’t optional; it’s survival for your soul and your faith.

Once you can recognize these red flags, everything else we’re talking about today—checking your heart, weighing platforms, understanding followers as souls, and being salt not stars—starts to click. You’re not just protecting yourself; you’re protecting your feed, your mind, and your walk with Jesus.

Now that we’ve got eyes wide open about the world we scroll through, let’s bring it back home.

SECTION 1 — THE HEART CHECK: SEEN VS. SENT

Here’s the truth: true calling starts in private, not on a platform. Real faith grows when nobody’s watching.

Think about David in 1 Samuel 16. Samuel is sent to anoint the next king. He sizes up David’s brothers—strong, impressive, noticeable. All the things people usually look for. But God interrupts him with a truth that still slaps today: “Don’t look at their appearance; I’ve chosen the one with the right heart.”

David was out in the fields, tending sheep, unseen. No crowd, no applause, no Instagram-worthy moments. And yet God picked him. The one nobody else would have noticed. That’s the first clue: what God values most isn’t always what the world is clapping for.

So here’s your question for today: Are you creating for connection—or recognition?

Because social media has this sneaky way of blurring the lines between obedience and opportunity. You might start posting because you love God, but somewhere along the way, the likes, comments, and shares start whispering, “See? You’re doing it right.” Suddenly, your heart starts chasing applause instead of God’s approval.

I know this because I’ve been there. When I first started podcasting and sharing my faith, I’d obsess over download numbers. One day, God whispered, “Kaase, if you wouldn’t do this for zero listeners, your heart isn’t right.” Oof. That hit hard. Because it wasn’t about numbers—it was about integrity, obedience, and a heart aligned with Him.

Here’s your pause for the day: Would you still post about Jesus if nobody saw it? If the answer is no, that’s your first heart check. And here’s the kicker: checking your motives isn’t a one-time thing. It’s something you do over and over, like spiritual cardio, keeping your heart from wandering into “look at me” territory and keeping it anchored in “sent by God.”

Because at the end of the day, being seen is fun—but being sent? That changes everything.

SECTION 2 — THE PLATFORM TEST

Next, let’s talk platforms. Not every platform is God’s promotion. Not every follower count, comment, or trending moment is a stamp of approval from Heaven.

Think about Joseph. God gave him a dream—a big one, a leadership dream that would change nations. But Joseph didn’t wait. He told his brothers before the dream had time to mature. And what happened? He got thrown into a pit, sold as a slave. Not a palace, not an audience cheering him on. Just a pit.

But here’s the lesson: God didn’t cancel Joseph’s calling. He used those hidden, unseen years to prepare him, to strengthen his character, and to teach him the wisdom he’d need for when it was finally time to lead. Sometimes the seasons where no one notices you? That’s not rejection—it’s protection.

Influence exposes what intimacy can’t sustain. If your faith, your character, or your heart isn’t ready for the spotlight, the spotlight can become a spotlight of pride or pressure instead of purpose. And yes, that weight is heavy.

James 3:1 reminds us: “Not many of you should become teachers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Even online, even in your group chat, even in a viral post—you’re carrying spiritual weight. Influence isn’t just likes and views. It’s responsibility.

Now, here’s where spotting compromised influencers comes in. A platform may elevate someone—but if their heart is off, their reach can do damage. Watch for these red flags:

• Constant self-promotion disguised as ministry.

• Quoting Scripture to entertain, not to disciple.

• Pushing products, collabs, or trends more than teaching truth.

• Feeling “holier than you” in subtle or flashy ways.

Discernment isn’t just a self-protection tool—it’s a spiritual filter for who you let influence your thoughts, your faith, and your worship.

So here’s the mic-drop truth: before you pray for followers, pray for the heart to steward them well. Before you ask God to open doors, ask Him to make you someone ready to walk through them.

And remember this: just because it’s working doesn’t mean it’s worship. Some people go viral; others are anointed. The two are not the same. And the world may cheer for one, but only God knows which heart is ready to handle the calling.

SECTION 3 — FOLLOWERS ARE SOULS, NOT STATS

Here’s the reality check: every follower, every viewer, every comment—those are souls, not numbers. Your posts, your captions, your stories—they’re not just content. They’re ministry.

Jesus said it loud and clear in Matthew 12:36: “You will give an account for every careless word you speak.” And yes, that includes every emoji, every trending hashtag, every “funny” meme you think is harmless.

That’s why discernment is everything. TikTok theology, Instagram truth bombs, viral Christian quotes—they spread fast, but fast doesn’t always mean faithful. Just because it resonates or gets likes doesn’t mean it lines up with Scripture. So before you repost or share, pause, pray, and ask: Does this reflect God, or just my taste?

And let’s get real about overexposure. You don’t have to share every struggle, every revelation, every prayer online. Some intimacy is meant for God and maybe that one friend who truly gets it—not the entire internet.

Now, here’s the angle you don’t often hear: some influencers make their feeds look “holy” while subtly blurring this line themselves. Are their posts leading you to Christ, or just keeping you entertained? Are they discipleship-focused, or personality-focused? Evaluating others’ hearts is just as important as checking your own.

Ask yourself: Am I seasoning this with salt… or just sweetening it for likes?

SECTION 4 — CALLED TO BE SALT, NOT STARS

Here’s the mic-drop: God’s not looking for influencers. He’s looking for image-bearers—girls like you and me who reflect His heart in every small moment, not just in viral posts.

Think about salt and stars. Salt preserves, flavors, protects. Stars? They sparkle, perform, vanish into the night. One changes the world quietly; the other just grabs attention.

Jesus didn’t go viral—He went vertical. Every miracle, every word, every move He made pointed upward, not inward. He wasn’t chasing fame; He was carrying a cross.

John 15:5 reminds us, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” Even when you think your posts, your comments, or your group chat pep talks are small, God can use them in mighty ways. Faithfulness beats fame every time.

Even a tiny reach can be sacred. God can use your lunch table conversations, your DMs, your one friend who’s struggling. You don’t need a million followers—you just need the Holy Spirit.

So here’s the challenge for you this week: be the girl concerned about impact, not influence.

Shine quietly where you are. Pray for the hearts of the people you can reach, not the views or likes you can get. Let your light point upward, and let God take care of the applause.

Let me get real. Even with this podcast, I wrestle with this tension. Some days I hit “publish” and instantly check, “Did anyone like this? Did anyone comment?” And God gently reminds me: “You’re not performing for them—you’re obeying Me.”

Leadership, online or off, is heavy. It’s humbling. Sometimes it’s lonely. But it’s sacred.

If you dream of being an influencer for Jesus, don’t squash it—surrender it.“God, if You want to use me, I’ll say yes. But if You need to hide me, I’ll stay humble.”

Alright, girls—time to pause, sip that iced coffee, and let these truths hit your soul. Let’s break down three takeaways from today’s episode so you can actually use this in real life (not just nod and forget it five minutes later):

1. Check your heart first – Before you post, like, or follow, ask yourself: Am I doing this for Jesus… or just for the clout? Remember, God sees the behind-the-scenes, the “no one’s-watching” stuff—and that’s where the real faith flex happens.

   
   

2. Keep your spiritual guard up – Not every influencer is pointing you to Christ. Some are just shiny distractions in your feed. Stay alert, stay sober-minded, and ask yourself: Is this person lifting me up… or subtly hyping themselves?

   
   

3. Impact > image – Likes fade. Views vanish. But touching a heart? That sticks. Be salt, not stars. You don’t need a million followers to change a life—you just need a heart willing to show up, speak truth, and point others to Jesus.

   
   

So here’s your mini-challenge this week: scroll, pause, pray, and notice the shiny “look at me” moments online (or in real life). Let God be your hype-man, not the algorithm. And hey—laugh at the chaos, trust the process, and keep your heart anchored in Him.

Speaking of stepping into purpose instead of performance, I’ve got some exciting news that shows what happens when you and I link arms to actually make a difference.

Last month I finally filed to become a 501c3 ministry. Basically, it means our podcast is now officially a nonprofit ministry. That also means we can accept money from people who want to support this show, and any support is 100% tax deductible—so your parents can even get a little tax help while supporting the mission.

Here’s the deal:When you choose to partner with me, you’re not just “donating.” You’re literally linking arms with me to:

• Keep the podcast rolling – dropping truth, encouragement, and Scripture straight into earbuds around the world.

• Hold the safe space – our website where girls can ask real questions and find hope without judgment.

• Fuel free resources – devotionals, guides, and tools to help girls stand strong when life feels shaky.

• Open doors for coaching and speaking – so I can show up in living rooms, youth groups, and events to remind girls they’re deeply loved and wildly chosen by God.

Big or small, every gift keeps this mission alive and growing. Together, we’re planting seeds of faith in the next generation—and honestly, that’s the best investment you could ever make.

Alright, bestie. Here’s your challenge as we wrap up today: shine where you are. Speak truth. Pray for hearts around you. Post with purpose—or don’t post at all. Let your influence be measured not by likes, views, or clout, but by lives touched and hearts encouraged.

Because at the end of the day, being salt in a world of stars isn’t flashy—but it changes everything. And that, my friends, is how we leave a legacy that actually lasts.