Screens & SoulsSample

Breaking the digital chains

If you had to give your relationship with your phone a letter grade, what grade would it be? That was the question I asked a counselor, a cop, a business COO, two teachers, and a few others. And most everyone responded with expressions of regret, sighs of embarrassment, or low-level shame. Based on our self-given grades, my friends and I are not the valedictorians of the digital age.

How about you? Do you struggle with your devices? Despite their blessings, screens can be a bad thing. Here’s a key question to ask yourself: Are screens separating you from your family? After spending all day at school with your friends, do you come home to your family and still focus digitally on your friends? Or after eight hours at work, do you come home to your family and still focus digitally on more work? Do screens get in the way of serious conversation and connection? Does your phone own you?

In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul wrote, “I have the right to do anything . . . but I will not be mastered by anything.” You have every right to buy a phone, a tablet, and a smart TV, but wisdom asks, “Does your phone control your behavior? Do you find it hard to break those digital chains?”

If so, start to pray for eyes to see the depth of your problem, for grace to deal with your guilt, and for spiritual power to set wise boundaries. Your Father would love to help set you free!