There is little doubt that the world is being turned upside down by algorithms that are reshaping life on planet earth. Affected are how we travel, eat, shop, work, recreate, date, bank, learn, and get entertained. And that’s the SHORT list!
The subject of TECHNOLOGY was one of the first to enter my mind’s cinema when I set out to focus this month on the imperative (what must be done) for Christians to REJECT THE WORLD. My gut’s first take on this tried to convince me that “surely algorithms have not invaded religion.”
But two seconds later I could see that the world’s powerful algorithms have indeed invaded this sacred ground. We are witnessing what looks like the birth of Christianity’s newest competitor—TECHNOLOGY.
It’s easy to agree that the world’s technological explosion will continue to expand exponentially. But what will the impact be on Christians and Christianity?
If everything in life becomes automated to be “IDEAL” and “PERFECT” there may be a new and pernicious perception that people don’t need Jesus to guide and bless their lives. To fight through the challenge of the day. To vanquish unwanted thoughts and feelings and urges and behaviors.
Godless religions are nothing new. Thousands of years ago Buddhism put its trust in the natural laws of karma and more recently Nazism offered itself as an all-powerful deity.
The harsh reality of our technological revolution and social media delivery system is how it is based on EXPOSING and REVEALING and SHOWING. That is the opposite of what we learn in Colossians 3:3–“For you have died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
The Colossians were deeply concerned about appearances, recognition and self-reflecting prideful honor. They lived “unhidden” lives looking for attention.
Not much has changed today in a world where social media has banished the word HIDDEN from the lexicon ruling its ecosystem.
It’s wrong! The technology of the age may change, but the human heart does not have to—and must never–follow suit.
Every believer on planet earth must intentionally and judiciously monitor the influence technology plays in their life. Otherwise there is no chance of REJECTING THE WORLD.
I ask God to strengthen me to fend off attacks from today’s technology machine and REJECT THE WORLD in favor of HIM.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
What are you doing to keep your focus on God’s Word and REJECT the WORLD’s algorithmic bait?
What has happened before will happen again. What has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new in the whole world.” Ecclesiastes 1:9
“For you have died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
