Serving Christ with Technology

Introduction

The topic that I have been assigned with to talk with you all about is the topic of serving Christ with technology. I remember hearing a sermon some years ago that had a similar topic that had to do with the Christian’s engagement and use of technology. I chuckle a bit when I think about that sermon because some of the technology and social media sites that were mentioned by name are not even relevant today. In fact, many of you may not even know some of what was mentioned, unless you heard about them from others. Regardless, as I thought about that sermon and how I would seek to address this topic today, I wrestled quite a while with deciding what would be the best way to address such a subject.

You see, in that sermon, there was a focus on the use of technology and social media sites specifically, as they were used for communication only. While much of this is still relevant, that is, much of our modern technology is communication oriented, other such aims like entertainment has come into play as well. I feared that if I took an approach of addressing the very specifics of present day technology, that my words to you would end up being “outdated” in your mind as technology continues to grow and evolve. Because of this, I do not care to address specific forms of technology, or websites, or apps; but rather, I want to highlight to you a never outdating principle of Christian conduct that I see the word of God laying down for us, a godly principle which is timeless.

For our consideration, the passage which I just read to you is from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. In this particular section of his letter, the apostle Paul is addressing the question should Christians eat food that had been sacrificed to idols. This topic comes as one of many within the books of first Corinthians which he is answering. When he gets to this topic, he spends some time addressing it, it is not a one word answer that he is giving to them. He spends some time explaining his answer in great detail. And why is this? Well, I certainly do not claim to know the unknown motives of why Paul wrote exactly how he did, but I do have a good hunch. I think here are at least two reason why Paul did this.

First, because his answer was not so “black and white”. Paul, in so many words, says that Christians are free to eat the food sacrificed to idols and not fear they are sinning by doing so. However, in the same breath, Paul says while it is not a sin to be engaging in this, yet it might not always be wise to do it. It might not always be helpful to do it. There may be other factors to consider above and beyond the important “is this a sin” consideration.

This leads me to the second reason I believe Paul answered in this way, and that is, because the principle he was teaching on in this reply was one that was to transcend the specific topic he was answering. You see, rather than simply saying, “Yes, Christian, go and eat the food even if it was sacrificed to an Idol” and moved on. However, could you imagine, if a person wanted to, they could read this section and say, ‘Well, no one is sacrificing food to idols today, so this section of scripture does not have any real application to me today’. One may say, this is interesting to read to know what was going on back then, but its not really relevant. My friends, this could not be further from the truth! Paul’s wisdom in answering this question transcends the specific item it is addressing. Just as we are not engaging with food sacrificed to idols, or perhaps arraigning our top eight friends on myspace, such as was addressed in the sermon i previously mentioned, these points that Paul makes can help guide you on knowing how you are to serve Christ with whatever modern issue you face.

Paul provides an answer to the church of Corinth regarding their specific question, and then he goes further and says, this is why. The why that he expresses, my friends, is the called “Christian liberty”. I don’t want to fall off the trail of my message too far, so I will be brief here, but the idea of Christian liberty speaks to the wisdom a Christian must exercise regarding their freedoms in Christ. This is the crux of Paul’s argument. He summaries his entire argument in the passage we are presently considering. I want to turn your attention to that specific portion now, verses 23 and 24, he states, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every mans another’s wealth.”

You see, eating food sacrificed to idols was not a sin, and neither is the use of technology. However, in consideration to Paul’s wise counsel, let us consider the wisdom on how and when to use technology in a way that is most honoring to Christ. From this, we come to understand these three sorts of categories: first, all things are lawful; second, [there are] things lawful but not expedient; and third, [there are] things lawful and expedient.

All Things Are Lawful

Paul begins this section with the statement, “All things are lawful for me.” Now, I do not think this needs to be explained in great detail in this circle, however, let me state plainly that Paul is not implying here that there is no longer a “right and wrong” for the Christian. He is certainly not implying that a Christian is able to now engage in any sinful behavior or action and it is somehow “lawful”. I am sure this argument has been made somewhere within Christian circles, however, so it must be addressed.

When Paul is saying “all things are lawful for me”, the way that he is using the word “all” is not to imply every single thing in this world. This sort of arguing is very familiar with those who argue that the idea that “all” are saved. However, this is not the use of “all” in either of these instances. My friends, when Paul says “all things are lawful for me”, you can think of it like this, “Now, concerning all things which are lawful for me”. This is not a translational error, or an outdated translational problem. You see, Paul understands that the things which are sinful have no consideration to the Christian. “It ought not even to be thought of”.

But the problem is, many, for a number of reasons, will use scriptures like this to justify the toleration of sin. There are denominations or groups within Christian circles who blur the lines of what is right and wrong. Some will ignore the Ten Commandments as “outdated” for the Christian, others will make the exact words of the Ten Commandments the only wrongs, such as “Thou shall not murder” literally only applies to murdering another person in cold blood. I know for myself, growing up in such circles left me less than confident about what was lawful and what was not. Some years ago now, I was introduced to the rich history of orthodox Christian teaching such as the confessions and catechisms that we use in the church, my understanding of the law of God became so clear to me. The moral law of God is not done away with as the ceremonial law was, and the moral law is summarily, or encapsulated, within the Ten Commandments. So, while “thou shall not murder” does in fact mean that it is sinful to murder another, yet it also has implication toward the hatred of others. Christ says as much “...”.

My point, friends, is that for the Christian, the law of God ought to be clear, and it ought to be firm. There is no sway in what is sin and what is not. For the Christian, when something is known to be sinful, it ought to be avoided completely in thought, word, and deed. No compromise. However, if something does not fall into the category of sin, it can be used by the Christian for their enjoyment, and for God’s glory. “All things are lawful for me”, all things that are not sin, can be lawful partaken in, in other words. This is the premise of this section because it is important to know that your conscious cannot be bound up on this doctrine. Just as I pointed out the variety of Christian circles that would bend to the allowing of indulging in sinful actions, yet other circles would strictly forbid things that the word of God has not spoken to or identified as sin. I think of those teachings that would forbid the Christian’s use of technology, as we are speaking to today, or the enjoyment of other various modern day comforts. Some forbid the lawful and moderate use of drinking, or eating certain foods, such as the topic of Paul’s writing. As far as these things do not cross into a clear category of sin, they are to be considered lawful.

Things Lawful and Not Expedient

Having addressed the first category, that foundational point that on one side, there is sin, and on the other, all things are lawful, now let us consider the division of things within the category of things lawful. Paul identifies a second category, within the area of things lawful as, things that are lawful, but not expedient. Expedient meaning beneficial, or edifying. Some things are lawful, that is, not sin, yet they are not beneficial to partake in. This category is not so neatly identified as the category of sin vs. lawful. It is not so easily identified because there are various factors to consider that can make the same lawful act expedient in one instance, and the same very act not expedient in another.

Let us consider the context of this wisdom in the text itself, before I apply this to the use of technology. In verses 26-28 we read the following, “For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.”

You see, the heart of Paul’s argument here is that godly, wise, discernment is needed for the Christian’s consideration in the use of lawful things. Paul says on one hand, “Whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake”. In other words, food laws are no longer binding on the conscience, eat in peace, it is lawful. However, in the next breath he says, “But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it”. While it is lawful, it may not be expedient for you, such as causing another to be offended because they think it to be sin. Notice he doesn’t say it is sin, he says do not eat it for their sake. Paul wants the use of consuming food to not be an offense to others.

This principle is what I want to offer you all when you consider serving Christ with technology. I have three brief considerations whether or not your use of technology is expedient. First, as we see directly in this example, we must consider others before we consider our own liberties. The use of technology is lawful, as we already considered, but yet perhaps there are times we must consider what we use, when we use it, and how we use certain technologies in regards to how it effects others. Remember the passage in Matthew 25: 40-45: “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”

Serving others IS serving Christ. You must remember that. Your conduct to others, either directly or directly, is a factor on how you serve Christ. Friends you must be conscious of this. When you are utilizing social media, say, consider how your engagement may or may not effect others who witness it. Consider to yourself: will this cause another to stumble, will it cause unnecessary offense to my brothers or sisters in Christ who will see this, will a new believer in Christ think what I am doing in is a sin? These questions, while not law by any means, are helpful reflections, moments to pause and to be sure that you are using technology in a way that is most glorifying to God.

Offending another is the primary consideration here, putting others before yourself. However I do want to include two impacts that using technology can have on oneself that must be considered. In considering serving Christ with technology, one must also consider the concept of redeeming time. Ephesians 5:16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” While use of technology is lawful, yet excessive use is not edifying. I will not stand here and pretend there is an amount of time that crosses the line from appropriate to inappropriate use, I think that will differ from example to example, however, I will stand here and warn you that it is very easy to be unintentionally imprisoned by the use of technology. You sit down and go to play a game, and the next thing you know the next few hours of your day are gone. Even social media sites are being designed to increase your time spent on it. How many of us have gone on YouTube to watch something specific, and just before we leave, are suggested to another video that catches our eye. This cycle can continue indefinitely. It becomes a helpful recreation and then can quickly turn into a waste of significant time. You must guard yourself against this, Christian, for your time is precious. And whats more, the unmanaged careless use of time and begin to pour into other areas of your homes. Perhaps it can make one late to school, or work, or worse, perhaps the unmanaged time using technology can cause one to forget to engage in private or family worship. What in and of itself is not sinful can easily and unintentionally become not expedient. These are considerations that one must take as they engage this question of serving Christ with one’s use of technology.

Finally, and again, this is not an exhaustive list, but I think an important consideration for the present topic, is the serving Christ through technology by preserving one’s own mental health. I cannot think of one’s use of technology and think of the connection that the greater use of technology has on the rise of mental health concerns today. Verses come to mind when I consider this such as Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing”, 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear”, and Isaiah 43:1 “O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine”, just to name a few. If nothing else, friends, these verses highlight Christ’s desire for you to be at peace, to be whole, in mind. There are many ways in which the use of technology can be harmful, causing directly, or agitating an existing mental health concern. One cannot serve Christ well if they are unnecessarily inflicting themselves mentally or emotionally, neither is this expedient or edifying to oneself.

Technology can easily become an addiction, as it is for many, but we are to no longer be in bondage to anything, save a servant of Christ. Social media can negatively impact self-esteem and increases the exposure to harmful content that one would not otherwise be exposed to in their daily life. Yet we are told countless times throughout scripture to guard our eyes from such things. Verses like Matthew 6:22 “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light”, these are not simply talking about pornography my friends. The list can go on, but my point is simple: We must guard ourselves from such harm, so that we can serve Christ well.

Things Lawful and Expedient

All things are lawful, but not all are expedient. The aim of your life ought to be to find those things that are lawful AND expedient. As we come to a conclusion here today, I want to present the following passage for your consideration: Ephesians 4:17-18 “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,” “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”

You will, indeed, have many voices in this world that tell you how to use this, or how to engage in that. For the Christian, we must first be grounded in what the Word of God says, rather than so called experts or influencers. This applies to the area of technology and its use for Christians. While the scriptures do not address technology by name, we know that it provides clear and certain guidance on how a Christian must conduct their lives. I pray that these principles will stay will you and help enlighten your mind on how to serve Christ with technology in ways that are lawful and expedient. Amen.