A smart phone can be a blessing or a curse depending on the way we use it. Many are unwittingly entangled in a system that they find nearly impossible to escape- the system of the World Wide Web.
The word “web” is defined as a:
network of fine threads constructed by a spider from fluid secreted by its spinnerets, used to catch its prey.
a filmy network spun by some insect larvae, especially communal caterpillars.
2. a complex system of interconnected elements, especially one perceived as a trap or danger.
I believe it’s not coincidence that the internet is called the World Wide Web. (www.)
While the internet itself is not inherently evil, it can be when we find ourselves being controlled by it.
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12
Our activity on the World Wide Web can either-
Glorify Christ or glorify self
Encourage us in our walk with the Lord or drain us.
Short Phone Facts:
1. American adults spend more than 11 hours per day watching, reading, listening to or simply interacting with media, according to a new study by market-research group Nielsen.
2. People blink 15 times per minutes, but this rate decreases by half when on their smart phones and causes blurred vision, headaches, eye strains, and dry eyes.
3. Radiation from cell phones is a “possible human carcinogen” due to an increased risk of brain cancer caused from long-term and heavy usage. (The World Health Organization)
4. 47 percent of men who kept their smartphones in their front pocket had low sperm count. (Technion University)
5. Bending your head to look at your mobile device puts up to 60 lbs. of pressure on your neck and can harm your back.
6. In the past 5 years, symptoms of depression has risen 60 percent.
7. 65% are using their phone while eating out at a restaurant.
8. According to TIME, 80 percent of 18-24 year old Americans sleep with their phones right beside them, for easy access first and last thing.
9. The average person will spend more than five years of their lives on social media, according to a study by influencer marketing agency Mediakix.
So how do we know if we have become slaves to our phone?
Your Phone Has Control of You If:
1. You can’t go to sleep without first checking social media “one last time”.
2. You are always thinking about what to post next.
3. You spend more time trying to capture the perfect image on your phone instead of enjoying the actual moment.
4. You spend more time on social media than God’s Word.
5. You are always telling others how busy you are yet always manage to find time for social networking.
6. You spend more time taking pictures of your life than living it.
7. When something exciting happens to you, the very first thought is “I need to post this on…”
8. You begin having signs of ADD while trying to listen to Sunday’s sermon and struggle to read your Bible without thinking of your phone.
9. You have trouble fasting from your phone for even short periods of time and feel a sense of panic or unrest when your phone is not near you and may even sleep with your phone near you.
11. If you spend a large quantity of your life preoccupied with performing on the stage of the social media platform in order to impress and gain the applause of man.
As mothers it’s important to remember that for every hour we spend on social media is one hour less that we spend with our dear children. We only have one opportunity to raise our children. What if our children were only promised to us for another day, week, or year? Would we live differently than we do now? More is caught than taught. What are we teaching our children about their worth when they see us always on our phones? Do we cherish our children as much as our devices? These are all questions I have been asking myself lately.
While we are busy catching up on the latest news feed, our children are growing up at an astonishing speed. Mama, instead of picking up your phone, pick up your child, look them in the eye and tell them how much you love them, that they are more important to you than any hand held device.
Let’s spend more time reading our Bibles than decorating them.
Let’s control the amount of time spent on our phones and not let our phone control us.
Helpful Bible Verses to Remember While Using Your Smart Phone:
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry (anything that you put above the Lord God) and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this (daily, ongoing habit) will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16
“The pride of life can be defined as anything that is “of the world,” meaning anything that leads to arrogance, ostentation, pride in self, presumption, and boasting. John makes it clear that anything that produces the pride of life comes from a love of the world and “if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).”
https://www.gotquestions.org/pride-of-life.html
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God
1 Corinthians 10:31
For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 2:13
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of men’s hands.
They have mouths, but they do not speak;
Eyes they have, but they do not see;
They have ears, but they do not hear;
Nor is there any breath in their mouths.
Those who make them are like them;
So is everyone who trusts in them.
Psalm 135:15-18
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Ephesians 5:1
A Mother’s Phone
The child at his mother’s knee, “does your phone mean more to you than me?“
Although it’s not said verbally, he often thinks this silently.
A mother’s phone, a thief at best, is children’s most unwelcome guest,
It steals their mother’s heart and mind, and to her family makes her blind.
With downcast eyes and saddened heart, quietly he soon departs-
Unloved, unwanted, pushed aside, resentment bottled up inside.
The mother never meant to hurt, by always being short and curt,
Distracted by a world of care, from latest news that others share.
A world so vast and yet not real, where other’s lives look so surreal.
This slowly caused her discontent, her home routine she now resents.
While other’s lives look so grandeur she wonders what is wrong with hers.
Her child sees her on her phone- smiling, laughing, yet alone.
Wondering why he cannot win, the affections of his mother’s grin.
Dear mother, is this story true, your child thinks these words of you?
Put down your phone, behold their face, and in your arms their frame embrace.
For children soon sprout wings and fly and leave our nests and make us cry.
We’ll one day reap what we have sown regretting time spent on our phones.
Treasure those who love you best, for if you do, you will be blessed!
By: Kristin Eason
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