Unbound: Freedom in a Digital Worldናሙና

With the phrase, “I want you to know,” Paul moves into the main body and overarching purpose of the letter. Though Paul is writing to thank the Philippians for their financial gift, more importantly, he is updating them on his present circumstances. The Church in Philippi knows that Paul has been imprisoned for sharing the Gospel. They probably remember his imprisonment in Philippi before he left town. They care deeply about him.

You can almost hear them talking: “Has Paul gotten himself in too deep this time?” “I wonder if anyone is bringing him dinner.” “They’ll let him rot in there if he’s not careful.”

All these concerns should also be at the forefront of Paul’s mind. Yet, what does Paul want his brothers and sisters in Christ to know about his present circumstances? With rhetorical mastery, Paul not only moves to reframe his circumstances in light of the Gospel (1:12–27), but he also wants the Philippians to reframe the way they see their circumstances in light of the Gospel (1:27–30).

He does this in three ways. First, he shares that despite being in prison, the Good News is still being “advanced” even among those who are responsible for his imprisonment, “the whole palace guard” (v. 12-13). Second, his imprisonment has directly caused brothers and sisters to “become more confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear” (v. 14). Finally, Paul earnestly believes that everything happening is for his “deliverance” (v. 19).

Maybe by this point in this study, you are recognizing your dependence on your cell phone and thinking it best to just get rid of it altogether, or you are beginning to beat yourself up for how you have allowed yourself to be imprisoned by this little device. It’s important to recognize that our bondage was no accident, especially concerning social media. According to social media expert Siva Vaidhyanathan, Facebook is designed to keep you immersed, to disconnect you just enough so that you lose track of the duration and depth of your immersion in the experience, and to reward you just enough so that you return frequently, even when you have more edifying, rewarding, or pleasurable options for your time and effort available to you. This is not an accident.

Many others interested in social media studies and even those insiders from social media companies have described how companies intentionally used cognitive science to design apps that would capture and keep our attention through feedback loops and dopamine hits. We have been intentionally enslaved, often without even realizing it.

So what should our response be? Maybe Paul’s approach to his imprisonment might guide us. Within the framework of his imprisonment, Paul still seeks to advance the Gospel as he waits for deliverance. You can decide what you will promote on social media. Will you fan the flame of addiction and dependence, or will you bring good news and deliverance?

If you are on social media, practice bondage today by sharing one of your favorite verses or one of your favorite things about Jesus. Share it in a spirit that welcomes invitations, joy, and freedom.