I'm in the midst of reading another book, one that touches on spiritual lives and the impact that technology has on our faith lives. Let's just say that, a few chapters in, it already has me thinking deeply on a number of things. (For those who may be interested, the book is called "Digitized", by Bernard Bull, Concordia Publishing House) I'll touch on a few of these here.
How do you learn about the world around you? Most of us look to news information of some form, whether TV, newspaper, radio, or internet. Yet, how often do we critically ask why these forums are reporting the news in the way that they are? Why are they choosing the stories that they do? What stories are they choosing to leave unreported? What is the perspective that they bring to the story? And then, especially with our day and age, are they reporting accurately, or are they trying to steer you in one direction or another?
I would dare say that most of us would honestly have to say that we don't give it that much thought. We listen to the ones that resonate with us, and disregard the ones that don't resonate with us. We start to put our faith in the ones who are doing the reporting without critically asking what they may be trying to achieve with their words or stories. And they have learned how to play on our emotions and thoughts, especially with our indwelling sinful desire to be right and to have others know that we are right.
What does this do to our faith lives? Well, for one, I would argue that we get drawn to spending our time on the "news" rather than the "good news" (aka, the Gospel). We spend many more hours listening to perspectives, opinions, and the "stories of the day" rather than THE STORY that shows us our God and His fervent desire for us. We pridefully proclaim that we know what is right, rather than humbly looking for the good of our neighbor, whoever they may be. We spend our time defending our stance rather than proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
You know, that's awfully close to putting something else in God's place in our lives, a sin which God calls idolatry. We get filled with the desire to know and to defend our position, and are willing to share that with others, even strangers, and sadly leave our Gospel proclamation and life tucked away. We rejoice to wear a label, and even declare it on our social media sites, but fail to lovingly address our brothers and sisters with the tender care they need in Christ Jesus. We start to put people on the "right" side and the "wrong" side instead of realizing that God would have us not show partiality or favoritism.
It takes great discernment to take such a critical look at the information we take in daily. In our day and age, I would suggest that we have to do this at levels we never have had to before. With great access comes a great need for discernment, and I pray that you will start to take a more critical look at the sources of your news information, and perhaps even ask what your time could be better spent doing.
How do you learn about the world around you? Most of us look to news information of some form, whether TV, newspaper, radio, or internet. Yet, how often do we critically ask why these forums are reporting the news in the way that they are? Why are they choosing the stories that they do? What stories are they choosing to leave unreported? What is the perspective that they bring to the story? And then, especially with our day and age, are they reporting accurately, or are they trying to steer you in one direction or another?
I would dare say that most of us would honestly have to say that we don't give it that much thought. We listen to the ones that resonate with us, and disregard the ones that don't resonate with us. We start to put our faith in the ones who are doing the reporting without critically asking what they may be trying to achieve with their words or stories. And they have learned how to play on our emotions and thoughts, especially with our indwelling sinful desire to be right and to have others know that we are right.
What does this do to our faith lives? Well, for one, I would argue that we get drawn to spending our time on the "news" rather than the "good news" (aka, the Gospel). We spend many more hours listening to perspectives, opinions, and the "stories of the day" rather than THE STORY that shows us our God and His fervent desire for us. We pridefully proclaim that we know what is right, rather than humbly looking for the good of our neighbor, whoever they may be. We spend our time defending our stance rather than proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
You know, that's awfully close to putting something else in God's place in our lives, a sin which God calls idolatry. We get filled with the desire to know and to defend our position, and are willing to share that with others, even strangers, and sadly leave our Gospel proclamation and life tucked away. We rejoice to wear a label, and even declare it on our social media sites, but fail to lovingly address our brothers and sisters with the tender care they need in Christ Jesus. We start to put people on the "right" side and the "wrong" side instead of realizing that God would have us not show partiality or favoritism.
It takes great discernment to take such a critical look at the information we take in daily. In our day and age, I would suggest that we have to do this at levels we never have had to before. With great access comes a great need for discernment, and I pray that you will start to take a more critical look at the sources of your news information, and perhaps even ask what your time could be better spent doing.
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