Greatest Idol of Today

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Mayflower

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I find internet/smart phone/electronics my biggest downfall. I find myself hoping for a rapture, because mankind already is sucked into the internet world. It has become a world all on its own that mankind has been taking part of. So much of buying and selling is already done by computer/electronic registers. I feel as if God is telling me to give up electronics completely. I have no idea where to begin. I can't just take up into the country and become Amish. Though a lot live around here. I just wonder how to train my daughter up in this electronic world and how to gain self discipline. I definitely have a lack of it. Pray for me. I want to pray for better willpower. I know I can do things only in Christ's strength. But limits are hard for me. It is an all or nothing sort of thing. Anyone struggle with this? What are y'alls thoughts on today's electronic world? Depression and teen suicide is up. They link this to smart phones. It is becoming a big problem. I don't want to be desensitized where I just say okay to anything. I had a dream a long time back about bowing down to the antichrist. That is something I never want to do. But when we make ourselves idols, in a way we are doing just that. In Matthew, Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden is light. That is what I desire.
 

Hidden In Him

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I find internet/smart phone/electronics my biggest downfall. I find myself hoping for a rapture, because mankind already is sucked into the internet world. It has become a world all on its own that mankind has been taking part of.

But without the internet, how would you ever talk to me? :D ;)
 

Hidden In Him

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Anyone struggle with this? What are y'alls thoughts on today's electronic world? Depression and teen suicide is up. They link this to smart phones. It is becoming a big problem. I don't want to be desensitized where I just say okay to anything.

In all seriousness, it is a mixed blessing. Through the internet we can converse with other Christians and get teachings through free and immediate access that we wouldn't get otherwise, but at the same time we open ourselves up to the temptations of internet porn, internet gambling, illicit online relationships, the list goes on and on. It's like the world opens up to you on a scale the ancients never dreamed of; both the good and the bad.

But I don't think it's something that can be turned back from. I see the younger generations almost utterly dependent upon the internet for nearly everything, from relationships to information gathering to entertainment, so it would appear the church is going to have to turn to using it as medium to reach the lost, or simply be left behind completely. But that doesn't mean it has to be something every Christian opens themselves up to.

Maybe just pray about taking a break until the Lord gives you specific instructions on when and how to use it, so your habits don't get completely out of hand?
 

Hidden In Him

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I know right!!!!!!! Train a bird. Or there is something called the mail system, but I'm sure it doesn't exist anymore. :p

The mail... you mean like the Pony Express? They were really fast too, LoL. That way you had lots of time to look forward to receiving something from someone. It was like a major event.


pony-express-40th-6_h.jpg
 

Mayflower

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In all seriousness, it is a mixed blessing. Through the internet we can converse with other Christians and get teachings through free and immediate access that we wouldn't get otherwise, but at the same time we open ourselves up to the temptations of internet porn, internet gambling, illicit online relationships, the list goes on and on. It's like the world opens up to you on a scale the ancients never dreamed of; both the good and the bad.

But I don't think it's something that can be turned back from. I see the younger generations almost utterly dependent upon the internet for nearly everything, from relationships to information gathering to entertainment, so it would appear the church is going to have to turn to using it as medium to reach the lost, or simply be left behind completely. But that doesn't mean it has to be something every Christian opens themselves up to.

Maybe just pray about taking a break until the Lord gives you specific instructions on when and how to use it, so your habits don't get completely out of hand?

Well I needed to blurb that somewhere, but always appreciate your advice Chris!!!!! I just need to pray more about this. Particularly willpower. My daughter will be watching everything I do. She already is on her toy phone quite a bit just like mom. And goes for my coffee cup.
 
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Hidden In Him

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Well I needed to blurb that somewhere, but always appreciate your advice Chris!!!!! I just need to pray more about this. Particularly willpower. My daughter will be watching everything I do. She already is on her toy phone quite a bit just like mom. And goes for my coffee cup.

Keep her away from the coffee cup. Tell her that's for old people who actually need it.
 
B

Butterfly

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It's about balance, God has given mankind the ability to learn and develop, to advance. The Internet/ electronic devices are not the problem. It's how you use them and how they influence your life. This is what ' The sabbath rest ' ( really would recommend a book called ' breathe ' by Prescilla Shirer )
We can become enslaved to good things as well as bad. It's about getting the balance right so that we can enjoy the good, without being enslaved to it. Maybe the prompts are to get that balance right.
Remember we also have an enemy that wants us to feel condemned, sometimes condemnation and conviction get muddle up. I know I have not got the balance right with somethings in my life- so I truly understand where you are coming from. Really would recommend that book xx
Rita
 

Hidden In Him

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Well I needed to blurb that somewhere, but always appreciate your advice Chris!!!!! I just need to pray more about this. Particularly willpower. My daughter will be watching everything I do. She already is on her toy phone quite a bit just like mom. And goes for my coffee cup.

You know what. If she's watching you and imitating your behavior already, devote some time slots to getting down on your knees in the living room and praying to the Lord for 15 minutes or a half hour. She may start imitating that eventually if she sees you're consistent about it.
 

Mayflower

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You know what. If she's watching you and imitating your behavior already, devote some time slots to getting down on your knees in the living room and praying to the Lord for 15 minutes or a half hour. She may start imitating that eventually if she sees you're consistent about it.

Yep. Prays with mom over every meal. And homeschool includes praying scripture over her and a small devotion... This week is on Creation. E is for Earth. I like homeschooling so far and think it will help prepare her for preschool. It is introducing her to God's Word for sure.

Now for knees...Knees are not.something I've done very often. There is a sense of honor and reverence when I pray on my knees to God though. It is definitely something I need to do more of.
 

Hidden In Him

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Now for knees...Knees are not.something I've done very often. There is a sense of honor and reverence when I pray on my knees to God though. It is definitely something I need to do more of.

I mean specifically as a visual act for her sake, so that she witnesses you devoting your entire body to communicating with God. I'm not much for kneeling either. I mostly pray while walking. But for a child I would consider changing my habits so they understood what I was doing.
 

aspen

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I find internet/smart phone/electronics my biggest downfall. I find myself hoping for a rapture, because mankind already is sucked into the internet world. It has become a world all on its own that mankind has been taking part of. So much of buying and selling is already done by computer/electronic registers. I feel as if God is telling me to give up electronics completely. I have no idea where to begin. I can't just take up into the country and become Amish. Though a lot live around here. I just wonder how to train my daughter up in this electronic world and how to gain self discipline. I definitely have a lack of it. Pray for me. I want to pray for better willpower. I know I can do things only in Christ's strength. But limits are hard for me. It is an all or nothing sort of thing. Anyone struggle with this? What are y'alls thoughts on today's electronic world? Depression and teen suicide is up. They link this to smart phones. It is becoming a big problem. I don't want to be desensitized where I just say okay to anything. I had a dream a long time back about bowing down to the antichrist. That is something I never want to do. But when we make ourselves idols, in a way we are doing just that. In Matthew, Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden is light. That is what I desire.

Our opinion
 
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mjrhealth

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As His coming gets closer, those who are waiting for Him will find the separation from the world growing and growing and so little of it will you find exciting any more, even my dad doesnt know what to do or eat. it just becomes less and less important than Him.
 

mjrhealth

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Yep. Prays with mom over every meal. And homeschool includes praying scripture over her and a small devotion... This week is on Creation. E is for Earth. I like homeschooling so far and think it will help prepare her for preschool. It is introducing her to God's Word for sure.

Now for knees...Knees are not.something I've done very often. There is a sense of honor and reverence when I pray on my knees to God though. It is definitely something I need to do more of.
Never pray on my knees. God is my father and He expects me to treat Him like one so I talk to Him as I would my dad, and its the same for Jesus, it is all they wish for, men to share their lives with them.
 
D

Dave L

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The Internet is the only free press we have left. I think if we focus on the positive, it is a great blessing God provided to the individual, stripping the power away from the $$$ media. One little guy anywhere in the world has just as much say as the President, or more.

Also, In Daniel, we hear in the very end times knowledge will be increased and people will travel extensively. Sounds like nowadays to me.
 
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amadeus

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I find internet/smart phone/electronics my biggest downfall. I find myself hoping for a rapture, because mankind already is sucked into the internet world. It has become a world all on its own that mankind has been taking part of. So much of buying and selling is already done by computer/electronic registers. I feel as if God is telling me to give up electronics completely. I have no idea where to begin. I can't just take up into the country and become Amish. Though a lot live around here. I just wonder how to train my daughter up in this electronic world and how to gain self discipline. I definitely have a lack of it. Pray for me. I want to pray for better willpower. I know I can do things only in Christ's strength. But limits are hard for me. It is an all or nothing sort of thing. Anyone struggle with this? What are y'alls thoughts on today's electronic world? Depression and teen suicide is up. They link this to smart phones. It is becoming a big problem. I don't want to be desensitized where I just say okay to anything. I had a dream a long time back about bowing down to the antichrist. That is something I never want to do. But when we make ourselves idols, in a way we are doing just that. In Matthew, Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden is light. That is what I desire.
If you check history you will see that people, believers, expressed similar concerns with the onset of the first regular broadcasts on the radio waves and later when TV broadcasts started to be seen in people's homes.

As has been said already here, none of it is in itself evil.

"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." Gen 1:31

Yes, God made it all very good, and He has shown and told man how to do things the right way, but man throughout his history has consistently done it wrong perhaps at time because it was possible and maybe because for the moment it felt good to do it that way.

Technology is not evil, but men have most definitely used it in evil ways. That choice remains yours. The system of the "beast" may already be working hard to keep you locked into those things which when followed lead you to sin, but God is still, as He always has been, above it all.

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Rom 8:31

So then keep on asking daily, even without ceasing, for God to always be on your side and you to always be on His:

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matt 7:7-8