Technology and Temptation
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The document discusses the impact of technology on Christian life, emphasizing the need for discernment and transformation through spiritual practices as a response to digital temptations. It outlines various forms of temptation related to technology, including social sins, sins of the mind, and sexual sins, while proposing practical and spiritual solutions to navigate these challenges. The message encourages individuals to prioritize real-world rewards and make conscious decisions to uphold their Christian identity in a digital landscape.
Technology and Temptation
- 1. Technology and Temptation Remaining Christian In A Digital World
- 2. The Ocean Of Technology…. • We live, move and have our existence in a highly digital culture. • Technology is the ocean in which we either sink or swim! • Technology is NEVER neutral it is always shaping us in some way (like the machine at the gym). Technology can build us up and help us, or it can tear us down and destroy us.
- 3. Being In The Light • 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 12:2) • For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)
- 4. Temptation • Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. • James 1:13-15 Let no one being tempted say, I am tempted from God. For God is not tempted by evils, and He tempts no one. (14) But each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them. (15) Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death. • 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has taken you but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it.
- 5. Two Meanings • Allurement or inducement to sin e.g Satan’s tempting of Adam and Eve, deception, trickery, etc. • Severe trials that can break one’s spirit and cause one to give up on God. • In this talk we will be totally concerned with the first kind of temptation “allurement or inducement to sin”
- 6. Social Sins • • • • • • • • • • Facebook Gossip Attention Seeking Cyber-Stalking Cyber-Bullying Arguing / “Flaming” Boasting Over-Sharing Supercilious Pride Technological Shaming of Others Spamming Others
- 7. Sins Of The Mind and Spirit • • • • • • • Deceptive and False Theology Bible Wars New Age Following YouTube “Gurus” Occult/Magic/Wicca/Witchcraft Getting Over-Involved In Fantasy Worlds Violent Gaming
- 8. Going Crazy • • • • • • Conspiracy Theories (Isaiah 8:9-15) Paranoia Too Much Politics Pseudo-Science Quack Medicine Constantly Researching “Rabbit Trails”
- 9. Sexual Sins • Pornography • Sexting / Snapchat • Inappropriate Online Relationships • Flirting • Seduction Games / In-Game Erotica
- 10. Mammon and Marketing • • • • • • • Scams Multi-Level Marketing Con Artists Online Gambling In-Game Payments e.g Candy Crush Saga Coveting Tech Gadgets Defining Self-Worth By Technology Owned
- 11. Thou Shalt Not Steal • Hacking • Software Piracy • Blatant Copyright Infringement • Plagiarism • Cheating On School Assignments
- 12. Spiritual Solutions • Be Prayerful , Have A Daily Quiet Time • Seek Discernment, Be Cautious, Be Scriptural • Have A Clear and Honorable Christian Identity • Trust God And The Bible, Not The Devil And YouTube • Quench The Flesh By Walking In The Spirit (Galatians 5:16) • Remove The Offending Limb (Pull The Plug..) Matthew 5:29,30
- 13. Real World Rewards • People get involved with virtual worlds because the real world is disappointing, overwhelming or unrewarding in some way. • Virtual rewards are like eating McDonalds. Immediate and basic. Nobody prefers McD to home cooking unless the home environment is unsafe or is emotionally hostile. • Kids go into games because they are cool, there is no ridicule and because they can achieve some success there. • Women go into 50 Shades of Grey, soap operas and Mommy porn for virtual “attention” from a socially significant male. • Men go into online porn for excitement, to restore their egos and because they are bored, angry and frustrated. • Create even the most basic “real world rewards” and the vast majority of people will quickly abandon the virtual world.
- 14. Wisdom Solutions • In God We Trust, Everyone Else We Verify • If Only A Stupid Person Would Do It… Then Don’t Do It! • Be Aware of Which Moods Lead You Into Trouble • Take Responsibility and Nurture Self-Respect • Impulse Control / Pause Before Sending or Clicking
- 15. Practical Solutions • Have A Dozen Or So Totally Safe Sites That You Visit • Don’t Go To “Marginal” Websites That Are Just One Click Away From Disaster. • Have A Clear Purpose For Being Online • Enforce Time Limits • Install Filtering/ Blocking Software • Install AdBlock Plus to get rid of tempting ads • Accountability / Computer Placement/ Family Rules • Have Strong Passwords and Good Security Practices • If Kids View Porn On Their Phones Replace The iPhone With An Older Dumb Phone
- 16. Blocking Software • Windows Parental Controls (in Media Center) • Windows Live Family Safety • K9 Web Protection, free, for Windows, Mac and Android • Norton Safety Minder • Covenant Eyes (accountability) • Gmail – has the best spam filter • AdBlock Plus – stops tempting adverts in FB
- 17. Decisive Solutions • Decide That You Are Going To Be Godly • Decide That You Are NOT A Sucker • Decide That You Are Going To Make Smart Choices • Decide That It’s Worth Dealing With! • Decide To Say “No” To Some Friend Requests • Decide To Value Your Time
- 18. About Cybermissions • • • • • www.globalchristians.org www.cybermissions.org John Edmiston (CEO) johned@cybermissions.org +1-310-748-9274 Using The Internet As The Fishing Net