Appeal to the Man Beneath the Armor

True Confession: I have four anon accounts. Don’t even try to guess—they’re really good. I mainly use them for what I’d call righteous reconnaissance—looking into cults and ideologies opposed to Scripture. They’re not just for research, though; they’re also useful for staying informed on threats that could affect us locally.

On the digital battlefield, anonymity serves as a kind of armor. Like the knights of old, many wear it to feel impervious—protected from scrutiny, accountability, and even shame. An anonymous account can give the illusion of invincibility, a place to engage freely without consequence. Despite what some have said recently, there are legitimate uses for such accounts. In certain cases, online anonymity allows Christians to engage in righteous reconnaissance, speak truth in hostile environments, or protect themselves and their families from real-world harm. All legit.

If you’re like me and have an anon account—or two—I’ve got a question for both of us: What kind of man are you beneath the armor? Strip away the username, the profile picture, and the digital façade—are you the man you claim to be in Christ? Do your words and actions online reflect the One you profess to follow? Jesus calls you to be salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16), not a hidden figure wounding others under the cover of darkness. Anonymity may protect your name, but it cannot shield your heart from the gaze of God. “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must answer” (Heb. 4:13).

The danger isn’t the armor of anonymity itself—it’s when the man behind it uses it as a cover to sin. Some hide behind their accounts to speak without grace, attack without love, or act without self-control. This kind of anonymity isn’t strength—it’s cowardice. If your words are fueled by pride, anger, or a need to win, you aren’t fighting for Christ—you’re fighting for yourself.

That’s why the Bible repeatedly calls you to accountability in your life as a believer: “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). Even if you choose to remain anonymous online, you cannot afford to live a hidden life in the local church. God has designed the church as a community where your pastor and fellow believers know you—not just your outward actions but your heart. Hebrews 13:17 reminds you to “obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.” If your pastor doesn’t know you, how can he watch over your soul? And if no one in your church knows who you are, who will sharpen you, challenge you, or encourage you toward Christlikeness?

Being known isn’t a threat—it’s a gift. Accountability isn’t there to expose or humiliate you; it’s there to protect you. If you’re known to your pastor and trusted brothers in Christ, they can speak into the areas of your life where you’re tempted to sin, including how you engage online. You may wear armor in the digital world, but in the body of Christ, you must step into the light (1 John 1:7). Accountability with your pastor and church ensures that the man behind the armor is walking in faithfulness to Christ.

If you claim to follow Christ, your interactions—whether in person or behind a screen—are not neutral. Every word you type reflects either the flesh or the Spirit. Anonymity may shield you from others, but it doesn’t shield you from the Lord who purchased you with His blood. He calls you to holiness, even in how you engage in digital spaces.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Are my words seasoned with grace (Col. 4:6)?
• Do I love my neighbor—even my enemy—when I respond to them online (Matt. 5:44)?
• Am I building up or tearing down the body of Christ (Eph. 4:29)?
• Am I accountable to my pastor and local church for how I live—including my online life (Eph. 5:21; Heb. 13:7)?

Brothers, the digital battlefield isn’t a place to lose your soul. God doesn’t need your clever arguments or sharp comebacks. He desires a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). The man behind the armor is the man God sees, and that’s the man who will stand before Him one day to give an account (Rom. 14:12). Will you be able to say that you honored Christ, even when no one else knew your name?

All my online activity is open to my fellow pastors and select men in my church. Consider doing the same. If you’ve been hiding behind the armor of anonymity with no church accountability, it’s time to be known. Invite your pastor and brothers in Christ to hold you accountable.

Accountability can feel risky depending on the men who shepherd you, and sometimes that fear is justified. But could your fear of exposure also be a clue to dial it back? Is anonymity serving a righteous purpose, or is it covering something your conscience knows isn’t right?

Christ is King!

To pastors expecting a church member to disclose their anonymous account: Be trustworthy. Could it be that your anon church member hesitates to be accountable to you because you come across as overly pious or clueless about the realities of digital life? Are you signaling that you would’ve outed the Israelite spies because you have no category for covert operations? A good shepherd creates an atmosphere of safety, not suspicion.

Remember, a salty meme timely delivered isn’t necessarily sin, and some online foolishness deserves anon mockery. Often, these situations tread in subjective waters. Before forming a strong opinion, call your anon. Sit face-to-face with him periodically.