In the last 50 years, technology has developed extremely fast and the world has changed radically. In the 1960’s, no one could have dreamed of the inventions we all use now on a daily basis. One area that has the greatest impact on our everyday life, is the invention of the internet and the smartphone, and everything that comes along with them. The question is: how should a Christian think about all these types of technology and are they good or bad for a Christian’s life?
The Bible doesn’t speak about technology, but it says that there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9.) Two thousand years ago they didn’t have smartphones or the internet, but there have always been great inventions that have changed the world as people knew it. For example, the printing press and guns were invented in the 1400’s, and the world has never been the same since. But throughout history, one thing has never changed: people have always had a sinful nature that wants to do evil things, and no new technology or inventions has been able to change that.
Wisely take care of what we have
We as Christians should be responsible in taking care of all that we own, and that includes technology. Technology can be a great help - or it can be a gateway to hell itself. We can use the internet and our smartphones to build ourselves up in the Lord –– or we can use it to corrupt ourselves, and perhaps in the deepest way. We can use technology to be built up in hope and faith and to connect with other believers and build them up. Or we can use it to look at all kinds of ungodly things. We can use social media to connect in a good way with other Christians - or we can use it to post the most pointless and unimportant things about our lives.
It’s not that the internet is only used for either Christian purposes or to do evil. It can be a tool that is a real help in other ways: to connect with family members and friends who are far away, to help to organise our busy lives, and for many other practical purposes that can be a great help to us. The important thing is that we should never allow sin to come into our lives through this technology.
Remember what is important
There is a danger in technology if we allow it to control our lives. Therefore, it must be managed and watched over so that it does not get this power over us. Paul said, “I am not going to let anything make me its slave.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NCV). It is easy to get addicted to social media, and our smartphones are often kept close to us, even when we are asleep. The danger is that we don’t ever take time to think about our lives, and to pray and ask what God thinks about important matters. (Proverbs 4:26.) We have to take time for God - and the internet and social media can easily steal a lot of our time.
In the end, the battle is the same, whether we lived 100 years ago or if we live today: we have a sinful nature, but we are chosen to become like Jesus as it’s written in Romans 8:29. We should use anything that helps us to become like Him and get rid of anything that gets in the way of us reaching this goal. If we are weak and something leads us into sin, we should get rid of it immediately. (Matthew 5:29-30.) It is up to every Christian to find what is right for themselves in this area. (Romans 14:5.)
In whatever we do, with technology or with other things, we should be convinced in our hearts that it will help us to become more like Jesus, which is the same as getting more of the fruit of the Spirit - or that it will be a help to others, for “anything that is not done in faith is sin.” Romans 14:23 (GW).