De:ViceSample

Addiction

Scientists have been studying the effects of technology addiction for a while now. Can you guess what they found? 

● Humans respond quicker to phone notifications than to traffic signals

● Blue light from our phones before bed can disrupt our sleep

● When we’re separated from our phones, it actually lowers our self-image

The apostle Paul once pointed out that not everything is beneficial, even if it is lawful (1 Corinthians 10:23). And we are not to be mastered by anything, even if it’s within our rights (1 Corinthians 6:12). We know we can’t serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Maybe we need to start asking ourselves if we can serve both God and Facebook. Let’s put this another way: how often is our time on our devices bringing glory to god?

Here are a couple of practical tips to help you De:Vice:

● Take a day - This will be hard and uncomfortable at first, but an entire day without screens is refreshing. Put your phone on airplane mode or leave it at home, consciously stepping away.

● Plan your usage - Constant checking interrupts our flow, thinking, prayer, conversations and work. Define how many times you’ll pull out your device, when those times will be and how long you’ll be on (There are free apps for this).

Pray: Father, we thank you so much for putting these incredibly powerful devices into our lives. I ask that you help me to battle device addiction, and to grow closer to you and those around me.