A few years ago, I brought a group of young people on a mission trip. As we neared our departure date, the most frequently asked question was, “Is there Wi-Fi?” So just imagine the wails and groans one night when the Wi-Fi was down!
Many of us become anxious when we’re separated from our smartphones. And when we have our iPhones or Androids in our hands, we can be fixated on our screens.
Like all good things common to man, Wi-Fi and all that it allows us to access can become either a distraction or a blessing. It depends on what we do with it. In Proverbs we read, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash” (Proverbs 15:14). In our daily food choices, a healthy diet takes discipline and may not be as sweet or as enticing as junk food. So it’s also important that we take care in what we feed on as we browse the web.
What might that look like? It can be as simple as reviewing who you follow on Instagram. Do the things they post bring “joy to those with no sense” or encourage sensible living? (Proverbs 15:21). Do your Facebook posts or Snapchat messages reflect “the heart of the godly [who think] carefully before speaking” or the “mouth of the wicked [that] overflows with evil words”? (Proverbs 15:28).
The words of Proverbs 15:14 make it plain: We are what we eat . . . and what we do and view online. Feed on wisdom, and you’re more likely to become wise. Feed on trash, and you’re headed for trouble.
As we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit, we can fill our minds and mobile device screens with things that are “true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable” (Philippians 4:8). By God’s wisdom, we can make good choices online and in all of life.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Joshua 10:1-15
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23 and1 Thessalonians5:21-22 and consider the wise counsel they provide for what we do and say online.
Next:
Do your social media habits reveal a person who hungers for knowledge or feeds on trash? What are some ways to use social media wisely—to honor God?
Gary Shultz on March 4, 2016 at 6:33 am
Poh Fang, I am glad you can relate to young people in that way. I know in some ways you are in agreement to what I will say by the content of your article. Now I will show my age and a direct line to unyielding stubbornness to calmer to each new app or feature that pops up. I think we are hopelessly lost to this mind set and I see much more harm then good, sorry. No one meditates, no one listens, no one reasons. This is not an attack at you or any of our beloved young techies. It seemed like a fad at first; however, I am convinced it is an infection, maybe an addiction. OK, I’m replying on email, everyone who reads this is involved with some e-communication, will we achieve a balance, it looks doubtful. The mind has been programmed to obey the responses of beeps, chirps, buzzes and vibrations. If the mind was allowed to stop and think, if it can’t be connected to all the chatter, it goes into panic instead of peace. How do these young people ever spend time with God. I know this is a more hostile review, but I think we need to get our heads out of what technology dictates and begin to recover some good habits instead being ripped by beeps all over hyperspace. I do thank you and find you to be a very good student and an insightful contributor in many articles, this is not personal attack. This is a long reply and I have been taking a deep breath in observing this over many different back grounds, situations and time and am now compiling some time to say, we are in trouble. Please do not be personally offended, I thank you for this.
godlove on March 4, 2016 at 2:29 pm
I’m young AND IT-oriented in my profession, but (perhaps paradoxically) I totally agree with everything in your comment, Gary. I use all the new technology and stuff but I’m extremely mindful of its dangers and the risk it poses to living a good Christian life. Where do I start? The permanent temptations from adverts and pop-ups on the web? The difficulty to make time to meditate without the constant (in your words) “beeps, chirps, buzzes and vibrations”? I feel sad when I see that it has become difficult to switch off even for just two-hours of church service and you have a neighbour(s) who will spend half of the service attending to their devices. This is the reason why, for me personally, I had rather use my old paper-back Bible in church, than rely on the Bible app of any device which may eventually lead me to stray away…
Tim Gustafson on March 4, 2016 at 7:43 am
Poh Fang, this is SO appropriate for the day. And now our words are out there for everyone to see in perpetuity! Social media is a wonderful tool to connect with others — and a terrible danger. Thanks for this warning.
gagirllive on March 4, 2016 at 7:44 am
Poh Fang, I’m afraid you’ve opened up a can of worms!…LOL What has happened with technology is a runaway train that can’t be stopped now except that, like you’ve admonished in your article, we take personal responsibility to stop it. Technology has opened up so much information to us, both good and evil. On the one hand, I think about all the people, especially in other countries, who now have access to the gospel online. That’s fantastic! Then, of course, I am deeply grieved by the wickedness that is available to the fingertips. I think Solomon said an increase in knowledge is an increase in sorrow (Ecclesiastical 1:18), and that certainly seems to be the case today with all the social media. What was meant to connect people has caused more disconnect. Many say technology is neutral, but I don’t think so. I think it is “bent” towards being a destructive force in our lives, and if we are not careful and prayerful to limit its use or use it only for good we will reap the harvest of foolishness. Well, this will be a subject that many will rant about today. Thank you for opening up the conversation, Poh Fang. The verses you took us to hold the key. Wise words from you today.
Mike Wittmer on March 4, 2016 at 8:11 am
Sane advice in a crazy world. By the way, reading ODJ online: good use of Wifi!
sdwise on March 4, 2016 at 8:13 am
Poh thank you for this ODJ reflection. It is helpful in making us consider what we are connecting to. Ultimately we must decide if it is trash or godly encouragement. Like Gary I am certain that technological communication has replaced common sense in too many cases. How often have you seen a person in a parking lot texting or talking totally unaware that cars are backing out of parking spaces or driving through a lane? What about safety? How often have you observed a table of people at a restaurant and one if not all are preoccupied with their phone completely ignoring others at the table? What about courtesy? When I hear some of these public conversations it makes me check myself. Is this conversation necessary right now? If I wait, will I filter what I say in a more God pleasing way? While Wi-Fi devices are useful for many things they can become damaging to our witness if we are not careful. In all our connecting we better be sure that we are as adamant about being in touch with knowing and doing God’s will.
gagirllive on March 4, 2016 at 8:55 am
Amen, sdwise! Love that last sentence in your post!
Tom Felten on March 4, 2016 at 9:41 am
Poh Fang, thank you for these helpful thoughts on the wise use of technology, but more important, on why it’s so vital that we submit to the Spirit’s lead in all of life! (Romans 8:5-6).
jim spillane on March 4, 2016 at 11:58 am
Poh Fang – as gagirllive commented, you’ve really opened one up here. Many will adamantly defend the use of technology for all the good it can do, but others are not so sure that the good outweighs the bad. In one way, we can look at the verses of Proverbs as God’s text messages to us about how we should live our lives. They are short and to the point, like a tweet. But technology, especially the internet, can certainly lead one to poor choices and certain destruction. The key, I think, is to keep ourselves in balance, in every area of our lives. I don’t mean between good and evil, for we should always choose what is right in God’s eyes, but in how we are to lead Christ-like lives, always mindful of our ultimate goal. There’s a time for work and there’s a time for play. Blessings to all.
gagirllive on March 4, 2016 at 12:19 pm
Ha! I like that Jim. …seeing Proverbs as God’s tweets to us!