How to Follow Jesus in Your Digital Lifeಮಾದರಿ

Search Me and Send Me

When it comes to our tech dependence or the ways we are contributing to the overarching problems in our society that technology tends to pour gas on, it’s one thing to agree in a general sense that society has a sin problem, you being one member of society. It’s another thing entirely to get gut-level honest about the specific part you play in the problem.

Jesus calls us to this deep level of honesty, for we cannot take responsibility without confessing what we’re specifically guilty of.

As you approach God’s throne today in prayer, take one of these phrases below along with you in the spirit of confession, depending on whatever God may be convicting you of.

• “If I’m honest, I am primarily drawn to social media for personal gain, not for the good of others.”
• “If I’m honest, I am addicted to my curated online world because it bends everything to my preferences and enjoyment, whereas my real life doesn’t really revolve around me.”
• “If I’m honest, I feel the need to share things online because ___________.”
• “If I’m honest, I search online ________ minutes/hours a day for products or services I want because ____________.”

I’m not sure which of these statements hits home for you most—I certainly wrestle with a few. I don’t think we could make it through that list without something to confess to God. In all these ways, we can see how our sinful hearts have used technology in the wrong ways—which in turn exploits others, manipulates the truth, and stokes division.

While Christians should consider these suggestions and may even disagree on the best path forward in the digital age, we must not forget that the real social dilemma isn’t happening in Washington or Silicon Valley but our own hearts and homes. It is here that we seek to understand the fullness of how technology has become our primary disciple and also where we must decide to take up our moral responsibilities for how we use these tools each day.

This responsibility centers on the decisions we make each day and how, for example, we use technology to either follow the Great Commandment of loving God and our neighbor as ourselves or ignore it to serve ourselves. The former is possible.

After all, the Church has long promoted the idea that technology is a tool that can be used for good by God’s people to connect with others, build communities, shape the worldview of our churches, and influence the wider culture as we harness it to proclaim the gospel.

So, today, as you leave the presence of God purified from the ways you’ve stumbled in your digital life, remember the hope you have in Jesus. Remember that he has not only searched you to cleanse the sinful parts that need healing, but he has also sent you in his name to be an agent of healing and help for others. You have confessed, been cleansed, and been comforted, and now it is time, fellow Christian, to be commissioned.

Q: Which question above, or issue, hit home for you most? Why?

Q: After you’ve brought this issue before the Lord and let him search you, in what places might he now be sending you to use your example in godly ways?

Thank you for joining us on this reading plan!

This reading plan was based on Following Jesus in a Digital Age by Jason Thacker. To learn more about the book and order your copy, visit jasonthacker.com/digitalage.