Dangerous Distraction – Part 2

Any activity or pursuit that have more of our attention, time and energy than our Creator does is an idol and a god.

GOD wants to have first place in the lives of His children and we benefit most when we put Him first.

Secular research agrees that Christian practices of prayer, worship, Bible study (and fellowship with like-minded believers) enhance our mental and physical health and give the most meaning and satisfaction to our lives.

That these activities add an abundance of spiritual richness to our lives should not surprise believers. After all, this is the legacy as promised to us by GOD the Father through His Son.

The Father sent His SON, JESUS to be our Savior and Deliverer – The thief (Satan) comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life--life in all its fullness. John 10:10

JESUS before He returned to His Father in Heaven willed to GOD’s chosen the gift of peace: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.” John 14:27

However, research is just as strong that overuse of social media has just the opposite effect on both our mental and physical health.

Symptoms typical to online addiction include:

·         Anxiety

·         Depression

·         Euphoric feelings when in front of the computer

·         Unable to keep schedules

·         Isolation

·         Avoiding doing work

·         Agitation

None of these emotions and behaviors belongs in the life of a child of GOD. What we see here is that with too much of the world we are left with little of peace of mind and heart and life in all its fullness.

This in no way means that we embrace ignorance as a spiritual virtue. The children of GOD do have a responsibility to maintain our place in the world.

GOD created man with talents and intellectual abilities to produce and develop all types of new inventions and His chose people are to enjoy them as much or even more than the rest of the world.

Most of us have a Bible app or two on our smartphones, computers or other devices.  These excellent Christian tools have been used to spread GOD’s WORD and the gospel to places across the globe, free of charge.

Wide availability of social media technology can be very helpful to us personally and does much to enhance our place as leaders in the Kingdom of GOD.

We get to use it with nonbelievers at our jobs, in teaching godly principles to our children, giving of our time, resources and talents, without even leaving home, etc.

The Internet and social media have had amazing advances in the technology in recent years but we must control of how we use them and not be under their control (1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:23.)

To be continued….

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Thank YOU Sovereign LORD and King for being the giver of life, talent and ability that give so much richness to our daily lives. Help us to be ever mindful of where our goodness comes from and to not get lost in the darkness of our own arrogance. Remind us that if we commit first to YOUR Kingdom we will have more than enough left for ourselves. Dominion and power belong to YOU alone and we give YOU all glory and all praise! In the precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile