Exposing the Dangers of Technology & Media (04/24/24)

Take a moment to pray for these upcoming activities that they will be used by God to allow us to accomplish our purpose of proclaiming the Gospel and experiencing the miracle of changed lives.

Scripture Memorization

Turn to and read Psalm 19.

In the News

US Drops Out of Top 20 Happiest Countries in New Report

Overall, the report found that happiness among young people declined significantly in North America.

The United States’s fall out of the top twenty happiest countries this year was primarily due to a substantial decrease in the well-being experienced by younger people—specifically, Americans under thirty.

…Those born before 1965 (Boomers) were generally happier than young people born after 1980 (Millennials).

Millennials’ life satisfaction decreases yearly, with Boomers’ increasing as they age.

One researcher stated:

“To think that, in some parts of the world, children are already experiencing the equivalent of a mid-life crisis demands immediate policy action.”

Unfortunately, happiness is not something that can be achieved through legislation.

Instead, immediate Biblical action is needed.

Psalm 1:1–2 KJV 1900

Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Galatians 5:22 KJV 1900

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Also, I believe that you, if you were to dig deep enough, you would find a connection between an individual’s so-called happiness and their use of social media/technology as I think we’ll see from this next article.

‘Dark and Despairing’—How TikTok Exploits the Minds of American Teens

For months, Ms. Lori Schott wondered why her daughter chose to end her own life and what she could have done as a mother so things might have turned out differently.

After 1 1/2 years, she finally found the strength to browse Ms. Annalee Schott’s journals. On a page titled “TikTok,” her daughter wrote, “Technically if I kill myself, the problem would be gone.” Ms. Lori Schott believed that the page contained quotes from the app.

A few months later, Ms. Lori Schott hired a company to break into her daughter’s phone.

The mother then found the answer: “I can open her TikTok page, and I would feel the same way.” Even two years after Ms. Annalee Schott’s passing, her TikTok feed was still saturated with depression-related and suicide-suggestive content.

More than 150 million Americans, nearly half the country’s population, now use the app. About half of those users are younger than 30.

The article goes on to describe how social media - in particular, TikTok - has the ability to amplify selective propaganda to, in essence, get you to do whatever the social media companies want you to do.

Charlie “Tremendous” Jones stated this:

“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.”

Social media has learned how to “super concentrate” that influence and the results, in many cases, have been disastrous!

We must learn to live according to Biblical truth!

Colossians 2:8 KJV 1900

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 KJV 1900

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Romans 12:1–2 KJV 1900

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Message: Exposing the Dangers of Media (Part 4)

Our Christian lives need to be lived with design and purpose - with intentionality!

That includes our use of technology and media.

Ephesians 5:8 KJV 1900

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

To walk as children of light requires intentionality!

Illustration: I generally will check Facebook only once or twice a week - intentionally - particularly to see if there have been any contacts to the SCBC page…30 minutes later, after watching 3 short videos I realized how easily it is to waste time even when attempting to be intentional!

First of all, Scripture tells us that we are to prove what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:10 KJV 1900

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Prove

Is our use of the technology or device pleasing to the Lord!

How do we know what is acceptable unto the Lord?

Last week, I gave you a number of questions, based on the surrounding text in Ephesians chapter 10, that could be used to help answer that question.

Did anyone come up with any additional questions based upon the text of Ephesians chapter 10?

Now, allow me to give you some additional ways in which we can “test” or prove those things that are pleasing to the Lord.

A. Test by the Spirit

The Bible tells us that a spiritual Christian will be discerning in all areas of life, which, of course, includes social media.

1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 KJV 1900

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Corinthians 2:15 KJV 1900

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Philippians 1:10 KJV 1900

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

How is it possible for us to be discerning?

Turn to and read John 16:7-14.

We are able to walk as children of light because we have God’s Spirit indwelling us, guiding us, teaching us, and warning us.

Notice what Paul records in Ephesians chapter 5 verse 9:

Ephesians 5:9 KJV 1900

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Ephesians 5:9 gives a three-fold litmus test for our walk (technology included):

What is good.

What is right.

What is true.

These are the directions in which the Holy Spirit will always guide us.

There may be times as a parent when you know the Holy Spirit is not giving you peace about a particular use of technology in which your kids want to engage.

Never dismiss a caution you sense from the Holy Spirit regarding your children’s technology.

Be willing to say “no” to your child or to insist that you proceed carefully together.

Remember, Scripture warns us about ignoring or disregarding the Holy Spirit’s promptings to turn from that which is sinful or even that which has not passed the litmus test of what is good.

Ephesians 4:30 KJV 1900

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 KJV 1900

Quench not the Spirit.

A. Test by the Spirit

Then...

B. Test by the Scriptures

Beyond the internal leading of the Holy Spirit, is there an objective measure for determining what is good and right and true?

Yes, emphatically yes, there is—the written standard of God’s Word.

One pamphlet that I have entitled, Biblically handling Technology and Social Media, states on its back cover:

Technology-based systems now dominate 21st century society.

While these technology innovations are not bad in and of themselves and have useful purposes, they can have a negative influence on our lives if our use of them is not guided by Biblical principles.

We should strive to view our entertainment and use of technology in light of Scriptural truths.

So, I can emphatically state that…

The Word of God is our standard for what is good, right, and true.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

If we neglect God’s Word, we will not know God’s truth and will not be able to properly discern between good and evil.

We need to test all media by the Holy Spirit’s leading and the Word of God.

Here’s a challenge...

Although we’re specifically talking about social media and technology, these principles can apply to others activities as well such as entertainment. (It’s easiest to understand this challenge as it applies to music.)

Take the lyrics of a popular secular song and compare them to Scripture. Don’t listen to the music, just read the words and compare them to Scripture to determine, “Is this song pleasing to the Lord?”

In that way, you will be following the example of the Bereans from Acts 17:11.

Acts 17:11 KJV 1900

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

If we neglect God’s Word, we will not know God’s truth and will not be able to properly discern between good and evil.

B. Test by the Scriptures

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