by Jesse Flowers
Synopsis: Christians today live in a world that is filled with digital distractions; therefore, it is vitally important that we refocus our attention on Christ and His unchanging, eternal truths.
"Martha was distracted with much serving…" (Luke 10:40). Jesus was in her home. He was teaching, but she was distracted. Martha wasn't distracted by anything inherently sinful. She was being hospitable, working hard to prepare a nice meal for Jesus and her other guests. Yet, even this good deed caused her to lose sight of spiritual and eternal matters happening just a few feet away, as her sister Mary "sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word."
Here we are today, almost 2000 years removed from the scene described to us in Luke chapter ten; yet, our world and our lives are too often consumed with distractions. Modern inventions and advancements have brought about a multi-faceted array of distractions in our modern world. Many of these distractions are in the digital realm.
Consider a few brief excerpts from articles on the topic of digital distractions:
Love it or hate it, we live in the digital age and there's no going back. But today's tsunami of digital distractions can pose challenges to the neural networks that regulate attention (Harvard Health Publishing).Technology is so pervasive it can be hard to put down the phone or turn off the laptop. But spending too much time with digital devices can be detrimental to personal relationships and even dangerous (Digital Responsibility).
In less than three decades, computer technology has moved from being in the room (the desktop), to being anywhere we like (the laptop), and now as computers have shrunk to fit in a pocket, to being always in our hands (the smartphone). This has ushered in a culture of nonstop use that is compulsive and, quite simply, distracting. Our connectedness is now so total that a recent British study says that we pick up our devices every 12 minutes: That is roughly eighty times during one day's waking hours… Two recent studies show that people enjoy social situations less when they keep their smartphones with them (Hobsbawm).
Surely if the world recognizes the problems caused by digital distractions, New Testament Christians should also. Let us consider the numerous ways digital distractions negatively impact our daily lives.
Can we be honest enough to admit that the time spent on social media, texting, emailing, playing game apps, etc. has taken away precious time that should be spent in Bible study and prayer? Do we hunger and thirst for righteousness more than we do social media (Matt. 5:6)? Do we pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17), or unceasingly check our phone throughout the day? Are we giving all diligence to add to our faith (2 Pet. 1:5), or are we diligent in adding the next exciting app to our phone?
Sadly, even worshipping God in spirit and truth (John 4:24) has been negatively impacted by this age of digital distractions. Phones are brought in to the assembly, not silenced, and occasionally ring—disrupting the worship service. There is the natural temptation for saints to use their phones for something other than Bible study: checking or responding to a text message or email, glancing at the score of a game, looking at social media, playing games, etc. Of all times not to be distracted is during our worship of Almighty God!
How many marriages, even among Christians, have been negatively affected by digital distractions? It can interfere with pillow-talk time. It draws our attention away from truly listening to our spouse. It may even subtract from the time that should be used to express affection and intimacy towards our mate (1 Cor. 7:1-5). Am I genuinely giving honor to my wife (1 Pet. 3:7) or to my smartphone? Am I truly showing respect for my husband (Eph. 5:33), or to social media?
How much time are we permitting our children to watch TV, play video games, or spend on the computer or tablet? How careful are we in safeguarding their hearts and minds from the many evils lurking on such things? Are we allowing these digital distractions to interfere with dinner time and actual conversations with one another? How often are we scheduling family Bible studies? Parents, are we training up our children in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4)? Are we training them in the ways of God or the ways of this world?
Consider how this digital age affects our relationships with others. We may have hundreds of virtual relationships, but how many actual and personal relationships? The wise man stated, "A man who has friends must himself be friendly" (Prov. 18:24). How often do our digital devices interfere with engaging people, even family members, in normal conversation and personal interaction? The ironic thing about living in this "social" media age is that it has made many of us into social introverts or hermits. Digital distractions have had an enormous impact on forming and cultivating relationships with family members, co-workers, brethren, and even strangers.
Undoubtedly, digital distractions have taken away our focus on a Christian's most important duty of all—sharing the gospel with the lost (Mark 16:15-16). How many opportunities to engage people in a spiritual conversation have come and gone because we were so distracted by our phones, computers, and tablets? How often have we failed to "redeem the time" (Eph. 5:16) in planting the seed of God's word in the hearts of others, because of these digital distractions? How often do we stay home, filling our free time with various forms of media, rather than heeding the Lord's call to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20)?
Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). Are others able to see our good works, or do they see us acting like everyone else—occupied and distracted with our smartphones? Do not these digital distractions eat up time that should be spent productively in visiting hospitals and nursing homes, writing and mailing cards, making phone calls, and checking on the physically and spiritually sick?
An increasing number of studies reveal a correlation between high social media usage and feelings of loneliness, stress, anxiety, and even depression, especially among teens. Are digital distractions affecting your mood, or your children's mood (Phil. 4:6-7)? If so, does that not, in and of itself, suggest a problem?
Christians must be devoted to "redeeming the time" (KJV), or as expressed in the ESV, "making the best use of the time" (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5). Are we not ignoring this divine instruction when we allow our day to be filled with so many digital distractions?
Jesus commands us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). In this digital age, let's be sure that God always comes first instead of our smartphones.
Modern media often sets our minds on things on the earth. Let us refocus our attention and direct it towards heaven, where Christ is (Col. 3:1-2).
It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23) that every Christian is to add to his faith (2 Pet. 1:6). Paul wrote: "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (1 Cor. 6:12). Sadly, many have been brought under the power of their smartphones. Have you?
Occasionally make a conscious decision to unplug. For one day, or at least for one evening a week, have the entire family turn off these distraction-filled devices. Read a book. Have a game night with the family. Visit more with your spouse. Go for a walk. Read the Bible and pray.
Returning to our opening Bible text, Jesus tenderly reminded Martha, "One thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42). In a world of digital distractions, let us also be reminded that ultimately, one thing is needed—Jesus and His words of eternal life (John 6:68).
Undoubtedly, digital distractions are here to stay. So, if we use these various sources of media, we must learn to use them righteously and with balance, always keeping the proper perspective. If we have lost our focus, then let us refocus our hearts and minds "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:2).
"Digital Distraction." Digital Responsibility. http://www.digitalresponsibility.org/digital-distraction.
"Healthbeat: Staying focused in the era of digital distractions." Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/staying-focused-in-the-era-of-digital-distractions.
Hobsbawm, Julia. "Overcoming digital distraction." Strategy+Business. https://www.strategy-business.com/blog/Overcoming-Digital-Distraction.
Author Bio: Jesse has worked with the Pruett and Lobit church of Christ in Baytown, TX for eleven years. He and his wife, April, have four children. The church website is biblework.com. He can be reached at jafopie@hotmail.com.
