How Should Christians use Technology?

by Arthur Lin

One of my favorite TV shows involves an eclectic group of characters working at a dying paper company. As technology is unfolding the company slowly becomes eclipsed by speedy, impersonal service. Through all the outrageously ridiculous storylines, the underlying plot is how can a paper company survive in an increasingly paperless world. How does it adapt? What will they do? Do they press on with sales by phone/meetings emphasizing superior customer service? Or do they adapt and change their ways to survive the rise of technology?

I was old enough to experience the advent of the internet through a dial-up connection…”shhhhh…grrrrrrr…eegur, eegur”. I observed culture slowly becoming enamored with cell phones going from brick to slick, from small to big and then back to small, from green and black screens to full HD screens as big as the phones themselves. I watched people confidently walking with their heads held high taking confident steps to heads now pointed downward toward their devices walking in a hypnotic meander, hoping they don’t walk into a pole.

Let’s face it, Technology is here to stay. Phones. E-readers. Computers. Laptops. Smartwatches. From the beginning, there have been countless angry arguments about technology with efforts and hopes to stop this flood of apps and glowing screens. It’s not just phones and laptops. There has always been resistance to the new with much concern, sometimes reasonable and sometimes ridiculous. Though many pushed back at the onset, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t have a refrigerator or a phone. 

With that said I want to pose a question: What does the technology you use on a daily basis communicate about your relationship with Jesus? 

With technology becoming a bigger and bigger part of our lives, what should it look like for a follower of Jesus? I’m not saying there is one right answer. But rather, have you ever asked yourself that question? 

At New City Church we believe that the Gospel changes everything. That the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus affect every single part of our lives, even the parts of our lives found online or consuming technology. As followers of Jesus, I believe we need to ask ourselves these questions. 

Whether you believe technology is good or bad, there are 3 simple responses: 

1. Ignore the big boogeyman and hopefully it will go away. Christians have always been tempted to bury their head in the sand but the reality is technology is here to stay and will keep pushing forward.

2. Blindly embrace technology, never pausing to examine what this device or medium might be doing to my heart, body, or soul. We are commanded to walk with wisdom, submitting every part of our lives to the lordship of Christ. Failure to examine our own practices around technology can result in addiction, distraction, and a whole host of destructive tendencies.

3. We can grow and adapt to these different new technologies and leverage them for our growth in the gospel. With the help of the Spirit and our brothers and sisters, we can wisely navigate new technologies in a way that brings life and flourishing and growth in the gospel. This won’t happen easily or by accident, but it is possible.

For example, many of us use tech for daily home and work tasks. We set reminders for home or business-related tasks, ask the “all-knowing” Siri our deepest quandaries, and binge episode after episode of our favorite Netflix or Disney+ show. But when was the last time we used technology for our spiritual health? When was the last time we set a reminder to pray or serve? How often do we scroll through our bible app to read a passage or two while we’re waiting somewhere? 

And so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God  (Colossians 1:9-10)

As we go, as we “walk”, as we are being sanctified, how are we taking advantage of every opportunity before us to grow more like Jesus? Here are some ways I’ve found that have helped me personally. I’m sure there are numerous other ways! 

1. Set A Reminder
   We set reminders for EVERYTHING in our lives! We make lists. We’re all too familiar with saying, “Hey Siri, remind me to…” So, why not set reminders for things like reading the bible or praying? You can set daily or weekly reminders that will alert you. This would be a great use of leveraging technology to grow in Jesus. 

2. Stop Looking at Stuff
   The all-alluring social medias. We often spend countless hours endlessly scrolling through feeds of businesses, reels, and acquaintances that we no longer interact with regularly. I am guilty of getting pulled into the scrolling black hole before I realize an hour has come and gone.
   I get a weekly update on my phone usage from my phone. It tells me the average amount of time I’ve spent on the phone daily over the past week. This is a helpful tool for me to evaluate the time I’ve spent on my screen and where I was spending it and make course corrections as needed.

3. Download Edifying Apps
   If you haven’t already, download the bible apps. Rather than going to different social media apps while you’re waiting in line somewhere, why not tap on the bible app and read a few passages? I know it’s probably not ideal because you might not be able to read an entire chapter, so why not read a psalm or two? Maybe a few proverbs perhaps?
   At New City Church, we have an app that helps our entire church to read through the gospel TOGETHER. The app easily displays the bible reading for the day (just two chapters) and allows easy access to God’s Word.

4. Hide/Delete Apps
   If a certain app has a strong pull on you, why not just make the app more difficult to get to? Put it in a folder with other apps but maybe on the second page? That way when you unlock your phone it isn’t the first thing you see. Or maybe you feel convicted and know you need to get rid of this app…go for it!

These are just a few things that have helped me recently. By no means am I perfect and have mastered the art of using technology for God’s glory. But, as I continue to examine my own life and what things are pulling at my heart, I know this is an area I want to see encouraging me toward the gospel rather than away. 

As I stated earlier, there are other ways to leverage technology to grow in the gospel. So take a moment to really think and pray on what ways could be helpful for you. Be creative! Think outside of the box. Whatever you decide, I pray that as believers we walk in a way that our entire lives reflect the good news of Jesus, including our usage of technology.