FORMED spiritual Disciplines in a digital age

Scripture

2 Corinthians 10:1–5 (NIV):

By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

New Living Translation

2 Cor 10:5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Paul is defending his ministry against critics in Corinth who viewed him as weak and timid in person despite his bold letters, asserting that while he appears meek and gentle, he possesses a powerful spiritual authority that can demolish "strongholds" of false teaching through the power of the Gospel, emphasizing the need to "take every thought captive" to make them obedient to Christ; 

essentially, he is arguing that his ministry is not based on worldly tactics but on the spiritual weapons of God, which are mighty to bring down any obstacle to the Truth.

Warning Against Walking According to the Flesh (10:1-2)

We Do Not Wage War Like The World (10:3)

Fight Right (10:4-6)

It is easier to see the macro impacts technology is making in our lives. Our Grandson will be two in a few weeks. He lives in the Raleigh NC area. We don’t get to see him as often as we would like to. We so enjoy making funny faces back and forth with him. My personal favorite is his surprise face. This doesn’t compare to a in person warm hug from pop pop. You don’t get all the smells, my cologne mixed with coffee, with the scratchy beard. However, technology has shortened the 170 miles down to a nano texture Ultra Retina XDR digital projection over fiber optical WiFi.

The good side of technology is when it make our lives easier (HVAC phone controls), when it brings us together (what up online community) as Christians we love it when it aids us in pushing back darkness.

The bad side of technology is when it ushers in and promotes darkness, separates us from others.

Romans 12:1–2 (NIV):

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What is shaping us?

According to Barna Group data 2024, the average American teenager (13-17 years old) spends around 5.15 hours per day on their phone, while young adults (18-21 years old) spend approximately 6.7 hours on their phone daily, indicating a significant amount of phone usage among younger generations.  (Slide)

Key points from Barna research on phone usage:

Teenagers: Average of 5.15 hours per day on their phone. 

Young Adults: Average of 6.7 hours per day on their phone. 

Average Screen Time Stats 2024

Globally, people average 6 hours and 40 minutes of screen time per day

Daily screen time has increased by over 30 minutes per day since 2013

The average American spends 7 hours and 3 minutes looking at a screen each day

South Africans spend 9 hours and 24 minutes on screen per day

Almost half (49%) of 0 to 2-year-olds interact with smartphones

Gen Z averages around 9 hours of screen time per day

Gen Z concerns: A large portion of Gen Z expressed feeling negative about the amount of time they spend on screens. 

If we are gonna demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. We must know the places these arguments are coming from

Top things in my life that “…sets itself up against the knowledge of God”

Phone

Computer

Entertainment Tv, music

Subdue

The creation mandate: that we should be fruitful and multiply, that we should fill, subdue, and rule the earth. ”

Just like everything else we are called to subdue, the phone has become the number one suspect. We must have a strategy for living in a world where phones have become almost necessary to navigate through the modern world.

Look at how James views the threat of our tongue:

James 3:5–6 (CSB):

So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Now Imagine changing tongue to phone in the passage: Your phone, a world of unrighteousness,

Treasure the word

Psalm 119:11 ESV

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

New International Version

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Luke 24:13 (NIV):

On the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:27 (NIV):

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Luke 24:30–32 (NIV):

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Over the coming weeks take serious the challenges in the area of spiritual disciplines in the life of Jesus, like Scripture, Prayer, Fasting, Sabbath, Community, and Generosity.

Last week one hour a day with your phone off. (SLIDE)

This week fill that hour with the reading the word. (Slide)

 Continue to monitor what is shaping you and push back against the de-formative habits. This could be accomplished at any time during the day. Example two thirty minute times.

Seek an accountability partner. Lock that down in the next 5min

BOOBY TRAP

A booby trap is a device that is intended to harm or trap a person or animal. They can be simple or sophisticated, and are often triggered by the actions of the victim. 

Set up a simple booby trap for your phone. Place your bible on top of your phone before you go to sleep. Make it a habit to tend to your Bible before you touch your phone.