Christian Response to Technology

Many Christians today find it hard to live out their faith in a world that is constantly bombarded by the secular media through the technology by which we are surrounded.  Does this mean that Christians should avoid use of technology at all costs?  The internet, radio, television, cell phones…how should a Christian respond to these improvements in technology and use them in a way that is pleasing to the Lord?  And finally, how can a Christian in today's world find time to spend with the Lord, when instant communication has caused real relationships and conversation to become almost obsolete?  As Paul wrote regarding the believer's freedom in 1 Corinthians 6:12, "'Everything is permissible for me' -- but not everything is beneficial.  'Everything is permissible for me' -- but I will not be mastered by anything.'"

The trap that so many Christians fall into regarding technology is to lump both its good and bad aspects together and treat them as one thing.  In the case of the Amish people, they go so far as to not even use electricity because they believe that technology is part of a worldly lifestyle and leads to sin.  The other extreme opinion is to feel that all forms of technology must be permissible because it does contain some amount of good.  Many parents who hold this view do not regulate their children's internet or TV usage because they assume that whatever bad their children may come into contact with will be outweighed by the good.  Yet neither of these perspectives are entirely correct.  Modern technology has improved so many lives for good and allowed for the gospel to spread more quickly and easily around the world.  At the same time, TV and internet has allowed sin and immorality to spread much more widely, causing many people to accept it as the norm and causing Christians to compromise with the world in their beliefs and lifestyle.  The first step in responding to media and technology is to recognize that it is a mixture of good and bad; it is not purely one or the other.  Christians must then acknowledge what is good and what is bad and make their choices accordingly about usage.

Another easy trap to fall into in terms of technology is to become dependent on it and start believing that it is the only way of feeling fulfilled.  As Paul wrote, we are not to be mastered by anything.  We should never let technology control us -- we should always be in control of it.  The way to achieve this control is by setting limits for ourselves and making ourselves accountable to others so that we will be held responsible to a reasonable standard.  Many people can actually become addicted to television or the internet, and in this way they come to rely on technology instead of the unchanging truth of the Bible.  Just like any alcohol or drug addict, technology addicts begin to feel that they can't survive without the devices they have come to depend on, and therefore use them excessively. When people are constantly stimulated by technology, even a moment without instant connection to the outside world can leave them restless and dissatisfied.  This is completely contrary to God's intentions for us to be fully dependent on Him, who will meet all of our needs over and above what technology can ever offer us.

With the invention of email, texting, Facebook, etc., many people claim that they are communicating better with their family and friends than ever before.  But the truth is that these so-called forms of "communication" have replaced the time which used to be spent building true and lasting relationships.  The struggle for Christians is to keep their relationship with the Lord from suffering the same fate.  Because this generation is taught to keep up an incredible pace of life and to do so many things at one time, it often seems unproductive to set aside times of silence with the Lord.  And when we do find a moment alone with the Lord, it is all too easy for our minds to become filled with all the things we could be doing, instead of enjoying the stillness and viewing it as a much-needed break from the chaos of our lives.  The key to finding time to spend with the Lord is simply to make it a priority in our lives so that we will find the time to pursue our relationship with Him every day.

Just like any of the gifts God has given us, technology is a blessing from God that He expects us to use wisely in a way that glorifies Him.  By distinguishing between the good and bad in technology we will be able to make informed choices about how we can best use it to honor the Lord.  By setting limits for ourselves, we can keep from becoming dependent on it or addicted to it.  And finally, by purposely setting aside times of silence with the Lord everyday, we will ensure that He remains the first priority in our lives.  When we approach technology and media in this way, we can be sure that the Lord will be honored by our actions.