The Impact of Technology on Christianity: A Blessing or a Curse? (Part 3)

I’d like to start with something personal, so please bear it with me!

A few years back, during a sermon, a pastor surprised the church by saying how God would have been proud of technology, the invention of man. God is the creator of the world and everything in it. He created us in His image and imparted His knowledge to us. So, the pastor assumed that God would have been proud of how man used God-given knowledge to create something amazing like technology.

Back to our subject, in parts 1 and 2, I’ve been discussing how technology has been a boon for Christians and if you didn’t read them yet, have a look now! Now, what if technology isn’t really a boon but a bane to Christians?

I don’t want to mean that technology is to be blamed here; instead I think just like how Solomon misused his great wisdom, similarly, believers have been misusing new gadgets and technologies. Let’s see how!

The Curse 

Technology Addiction

Is there such a day in your life when you didn’t use your smartphone or tablet? Have you ever spent a day without logging on to social media platforms? Actually, let me rephrase that: Can you spend a day without logging on to your social media accounts?

I’m not trying to offend anyone here; this isn’t just a personal issue, it’s a worldwide one.

We are living in a very hectic world and it turns out that technology is often our only source of recreation and relaxation. I understand the need to turn on the TV or relying on YouTube videos to relax after a tiring day at work. However, I’m talking about the compulsive and excessive use of the internet, smart devices, gaming and so on – this is pure addiction.

According to Neil Postman, “technology has displaced the culture of Christianity, especially in the way how many prefer spending a lot of time in front of the television rather than going to the church.”

Not only can this addiction distracts you from your faith, but it can also sway you away from God. Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with God and honestly, a relationship can only survive when it is supported and properly maintained. The same goes for our relationship with God. The more time you spend on new technologies, the less time you spend on communicating with God. And, this is clearly failing your responsibility as a Christian.

Another major problem with addiction is that the moment your heart and mind become obsessed with technology, it becomes the other “god” a Christian shouldn’t have. Remember the following verses:

“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3)

“I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God” (Isaiah 45:5)

Now, if you are wondering how to tell if you are indeed addicted to new technologies, ask yourself the following questions:

• How much time –I’m talking about the time used for recreational purposes – do you spend on your smartphone, tablet or TV? And, how much time do you spend reading God’s word or praying? Now, compare the two answers!
• Does your smartphone or social media accounts distract you from praying or reading the gospel?
• Do you feel anxious if you don’t use your smartphone, laptop or tablet?
• Would you rather spend an entire day at the church praying or at home with your smartphone and other technological gadgets?
• Do you have any emotional attachment to your smartphone or with technology in general?

If you feel like you’ve become addicted to technology, don’t worry, you are not the only one. However, if you don’t this to become a major issue and create struggles for your Christian faith, now is the time to unplug from technology and grow closer to God.