How long can you go without your smartphone – an hour, a day, a week? When you first read that question, did your mind start justifying your cell phone use? I need it to be able to get hold of my children and my spouse. I need it for work. I use it for directions to get places. My grocery app provides me with coupons for the store. What if my car breaks down? I need to be able to call someone to help me.
These are all valid reasons to carry a cell phone. But what percentage of your screen time is spent using it for these reasons? Or do you spend more time playing Candy Crush? Taking selfies to send your friends? How much time do you spend on Amazon shopping for things you really don’t need or on Facebook getting frustrated because your friends and family appear to be living a stress free, problem free wonderful life?
Or maybe you are a news junkie and you find yourself getting angry with others that don’t believe as you do? Speaking of which, where do those beliefs come from? Have you done your homework and researched the issues for yourself or are you taking what the media spews as gospel truth? Because what you listen to, what you expose yourself to will shape how you think and who you become – whether that screen time is through your phone, the television, or your computer.
We were asked to consider the price that is paid when we allow our screens to control our lives. What relationships are being neglected? What responsibilities are being ignored? How is your mental and spiritual health suffering when you spend time with your screens instead of with your family, friends, or God?
Pastor Keith’s question for us today calls us to think about what we are doing with our screen time.
Are your screens discipling you? Who are
you becoming more like through your
screen time – the world or Christ?
We may think our screens are neutral tools, but we fool ourselves if we think this. They have the power to influence our thinking and our behavior – toward God or toward the world. Pay attention to how much time you spend on your screens and what you are doing during that time. It will tell you why you have become the person you are today.
Paster pointed us to the book of Romans for guidelines when using our screens.
– In view of God’s mercy present our screens to Him
– Place your life before God
– Do not be conformed (to form according to a mold) to our world
– Our screens can work to conform us to our culture or work to transform us to know God’s discernible will
– The filter to our screens is “Holy and acceptable to God.” (Romans 12:1)
For many, their screens are their master. Just try taking the cell phone away from your teenager if you need proof!
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.
Romans 12:1-2 ESV
This week, we were given a 7-day Digital Detox challenge. You can do it with a friend, a spouse, or your family to stay accountable. Here it is if you choose to take the challenge yourself:
Day 1: Don’t pick up your phone before bed. Disconnect after sunset or for the final two hours of your day. Instead, spend time to enjoy the many blessings God has given you.
Pray that God would help you give Him your body.
Day 2: Don’t pick up your phone first thing in the morning. Disconnect until sunrise if your up before dawn or stay disconnected the first hour of the day. Spend the first hour of your day in the Word, praying, and exercising.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would bring to your mind all that God has done for you in giving you salvation.
Day 3: Disconnect during all meals. Spend time instead reflecting on the fact that your diet is more than just the food you eat. It’s also what you read, listen to, and watch. Spend that time in silence or in conversation with loved ones.
Pray that you would be a living and holy sacrifice to God.
Day 4: Disconnect during drive time. Put yor phone in your purse, compartment, or the back seat. Spend that time worshiping God through prayer, worship music, or listening to an audio book.
Pray that you could truly worship God – in church and also in all parts of your life.
Day 5: Disconnect from all notifications for the whole day. Turn off notifications on all your devices and computer. Use your extra time to pray.
Pray that God would give you the wisdom and power to avoid copying the behaviors and customs of the world.
Day 6: Track the time you’ve spent and cut it in half today. Figure out how much time you’ve been spending on your phone and then cut that time in half.
Pray that God would transform you and your thinking and make you a new person.
Day 7: Disconnect for a full 24 hours. You will feel both pain and pleasure! You may even experience withdrawal symptoms or feel like you are missing something. You were perfectly made; you do not need an extra appendage in the form of a cellphone or device.
Pray that God would teach you His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
REDEEM THE SCREEN!
Use your screen time in ways pleasing to God so they
become tools for our good and the good of others!
Have a Blessed day!
– PSG –
Featured Image by natureaddict from Pixabay
Recent Comments