The Internet
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. (1 Corinthians 10:23)
Chances are that if you find yourself reading - or listening - this, you are on the internet. It is a part of all of our everyday lives. From the moment we wake up, our cellphones, laptops and tablets buzz with the fury of a thousand bee hives, invading our minds with news, texts and more information. The Internet is an entire aspect in the lives of Generation Z and Millennials, but how are those who follow the Word of Yahweh to live in this increasingly digitized world?
The internet, like all things, has its positives and its negatives. There are many aspects that can be seen when one discusses the topic of the internet. Elements such as the spreading of information, learning, economy and communication have helped the world, thanks to the Internet. All the while, one can not forget that cyber bullying, predators, private information and pornography are also on the internet. For every good thing, there is a negative that comes with it, and the internet does not stand as an exception to that rule.
As children of Yahweh, who follow His word with discernment and understanding, knowing that the Internet isn’t always good. King David states clearly, telling God to “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways” (Psalms 119:17). There are things that aren’t worth it for you. The internet is a place with so much misinformation, you must be someone who has the discernment to understand what is good and what is bad for you (1 John 4:1), whether that be news or other things.
Another thing that needs to be clarified is how much internet you consume. If you find yourself consuming the internet for ungodly things, such as random videos on YouTube or just diving into your news feed on Instagram, more than you are edifying yourself with worship and reading His Word, who wins? You do not win, because you become conformed with this world when to be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2). You become addicted, and with every addiction comes the sin of idolatry, because that thing becomes bigger and more important to you than God (Jonah 2:8; 1 John 5:21; 1 Corinthians 10:14).
All the while, the internet isn’t always bad. The fact that you are reading this article is proof that there are positive things online. You can proselytize and evangelize in mediums and social media outlets such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and in blogs across cyberspace. Matthew 24:14 says “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” The Internet is part of that plan that Yahweh has to spread the truth amongst all nations and dispel the false doctrines.