Being Smart with Smart Phones
Being Smart With Smart Phones
Back in the summer the elders graciously gave me the opportunity to be away for three consecutive weeks. Part of this time was vacation with my family, and part of it was personal retreat. In order to make the most of this time, I took what felt like a risk: I turned off my phone and left it at home. No calls, no texts, no dings, no swiping or tapping or buzzing. As a result of having no phone and through some resources I have since discovered, I made some startling realizations about my typical phone habits . . .
First, I often stop to look at my phone every few minutes, just to make sure I haven’t missed something. Second, my phone conditions me to expect that my perceived needs and wants should be met immediately. Third, I often use my phone as a way to conveniently NOT interact with others. Fourth, my phone allows me to consume massive amounts of information that often creates mental and emotional fatigue. Finally, I am tempted daily to check my phone as both the first and last thing of the day.
In short, if I’m not careful, I can become a slave to my phone. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:12 seem to ring true when applied to our phones (no pun intended): “Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I’d be a slave to my whims” (MSG). All of us have different whims which can enslave us, but in this day and time there is a device that funnels these whims to us: our phones. Is it wrong to have a smart phone? Absolutely not. Do we need to learn to use our phones in ways that are God-centered and others-centered, rather than me-centered? Absolutely. God’s Word repeatedly instructs us to remain watchful for the return of Christ; may we not be so distracted by our phones that we miss him when he returns.
Ben
Monthly Book Recommendation
For some additional resources on using technology wisely, check out these two books:
“12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You” by Tony Reinke
“The Tech-Wise Family” by Andy Crouch.
Back in the summer the elders graciously gave me the opportunity to be away for three consecutive weeks. Part of this time was vacation with my family, and part of it was personal retreat. In order to make the most of this time, I took what felt like a risk: I turned off my phone and left it at home. No calls, no texts, no dings, no swiping or tapping or buzzing. As a result of having no phone and through some resources I have since discovered, I made some startling realizations about my typical phone habits . . .
First, I often stop to look at my phone every few minutes, just to make sure I haven’t missed something. Second, my phone conditions me to expect that my perceived needs and wants should be met immediately. Third, I often use my phone as a way to conveniently NOT interact with others. Fourth, my phone allows me to consume massive amounts of information that often creates mental and emotional fatigue. Finally, I am tempted daily to check my phone as both the first and last thing of the day.
In short, if I’m not careful, I can become a slave to my phone. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:12 seem to ring true when applied to our phones (no pun intended): “Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I’d be a slave to my whims” (MSG). All of us have different whims which can enslave us, but in this day and time there is a device that funnels these whims to us: our phones. Is it wrong to have a smart phone? Absolutely not. Do we need to learn to use our phones in ways that are God-centered and others-centered, rather than me-centered? Absolutely. God’s Word repeatedly instructs us to remain watchful for the return of Christ; may we not be so distracted by our phones that we miss him when he returns.
Ben
Monthly Book Recommendation
For some additional resources on using technology wisely, check out these two books:
“12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You” by Tony Reinke
“The Tech-Wise Family” by Andy Crouch.
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