Exposing the Dangers of Technology (03/06/24)

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Verse Memorization

Turn to and read 1 Timothy chapter 1.

Message: Exposing the Dangers of Media (Part 1)

As we learned last time…

We’re dealing here with a media monster.

And the question is as simple as it is profound…

How can Christian parents help their children understand and tame the media monster?

How can Christian parents—many of whom feel they are increasingly falling behind in what their kids know about media, and many of whom are addicted to technology themselves—help their children understand and tame the media monster?

Question: Will you, as a parent, ever be able to fully “keep up” with advances in technology?

So, what can rely upon?

We have the timeless truths of God’s Word.

Its principles are as applicable to technology today as they were to parchment writings and social scenes thousands of years ago.

You may not understand all the ins and outs of Facebook or the apps available on smart phones and that’s okay.

You know basic Bible principles and, as a parent, some basic life skills.

Or, maybe I should say that you should know basic Bible principles and have some basic life skills.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

You simply need to help your children apply those principles to their daily living.

We are going to be looking at principles specifically from Ephesians 5:8–15 with applications that will help you expose and tame the media monster that wants to devour your home.

Turn to and read Ephesians 5:8-15.

Note: This isn’t the only passage of Scripture which has Biblical truth which can/should be applied to technology and media!

To begin with, we’ll primarily look at some of the dangers related to technology and media, and then, we’ll look at practical steps to navigate this minefield.

Also, it’s worth noting that, while we are primarily talking in this chapter about guiding young people in media, these principles apply to adults as well because it should be obvious that adults are not immune to the Media/Technology Monster any more than their children!

Too many times, adults are just as deceived by the media monster as teenagers. So listen with a heart to help you and your children.

But, we must also realize that…

It’s not just a matter of “setting rules!”

Our young people certainly do need the parental boundaries established by rules, but they need more than this.

They need principles that help them make wise decisions.

3 John 4 KJV 1900

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

Joshua 1:8 KJV 1900

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalm 119:11 KJV 1900

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.

Note: Why did God say that we should hide His Word in our heart and not in our mind? Most often we interpret this verse to mean just that when, in fact, the verse explicitly says that we should hide it in our hearts!

Media and technology is developing and changing so fast that probably within just a few years (if not less), the examples and statistics I give will be extremely outdated.

Meanwhile, the untamed monster will still be devouring young people whose parents’ only rules relate to programs and devices no longer in use.

Young people today have personal, immediate access to movie content on their devices that is far more ungodly than could be seen in theaters fifty years ago.

These kinds of factors make it vital that Christian parents not only set and enforce boundaries, but that they also instill Bible principles into their children’s decision-making processes.

The passage we’re looking at in Ephesians 5 begins by reminding us who we are—children of light.

Ephesians 5:8 KJV 1900

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

We were (past tense) “darkness.”

Acts 26:18 KJV 1900

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

In this verse, Paul equates darkness with the power of Satan and light with the power of God.

It is a well-known fact that media and technology is addicting; it’s designed to be addicting.

As such, it can often have a very powerful hold upon an individual and yet we must realize that just as darkness is no match for light so to Satan’s power is no match for God’s power and there is no addiction that God cannot free an individual from.

We are “light in the Lord.”

We are “children of light.”

We must teach our children their identity: Light in the Lord.

We must teach them to behave accordingly: Walk as children of light.

In doing that, regardless of what screen may be calling for their attention, they will filter their actions based on what pleases the Lord.

But what does that look like?

First of all, Scripture tells us that we are to prove what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:10 KJV 1900

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Prove

That’s where we’ll pick it up next week.

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