Matthew 12:34c-37

Midweek Message 

October 21, 2020 

Technology and Discipleship 

Matthew 12:34c-37 (NRSV) 

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. ³⁵The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. ³⁶I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; ³⁷for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” 

Computers, smart phones, electronic tablets, smart watches – technology encompasses our lives to today. We’ve used it here in the church to help maintain a sense of Christian community when we were not able to meet together earlier this year. We’ve used apps like Zoom for Bible study and for online meetings. Yet, in spite of all that is good and helpful about it, technology also makes access to things potentially harmful too easily available and presents to us thoughts and ideas that can be antithetical to our Christian beliefs.

In the past you had to go to a library, purchase a book, a magazine or a newspaper to find information. Today it is only a click away and sometimes those clicks can take us to places where we should not be. You can find any of the human vices readily available on the Internet. Somewhere out there in cyberspace there is almost anything you could possibly desire, only one click away.  

Technology in itself is inherently neither good nor bad. It’s just a tool, and like all tools, the user needs to understand how to use it safely.  For the purposes of this message, I want to address one kind of “information” that is available online, especially through social media, and how and why we as believers need to be wary of what we see and hear. We hear a lot about conspiracy theories that increasingly work their way into our online experience, sometimes unintentionally on our part – or maybe not.

I recently came across two articles written by Ed Stetzer which addressed this issue, especially as it relates to what is known as QAnon. Stetzer is a dean and professor at Wheaton College where he leads the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center. He is also a regular contributor to Christianity Today. He recently wrote an article that was picked up by USA Today which has generated some reaction, both pro and con. (You can find his USA Today article HERE and a response he wrote for Christianity Today HERE.)

While Stetzer’s articles specifically address QAnon, what he says is good guidance for all believers regarding our use of social media and our desire for reliable information. I urge you to follow the links I’ve provided, especially his article in USA Today, but, for now, I want to draw on some of his ideas in the response article he wrote for Christianity Today.

One of the issues of these days is who do you trust in the news media. Stetzer rightly says, “the state of reporting on religion…is poor. Major outlets get obvious facts wrong that betray not only ignorance, but laziness in not checking.” As a pastor, I can relate to this comment by Stetzer: “it is beyond frustrating to serve faithfully only to see the loudest fringe voices receive the spotlight, or to see your community misrepresented.”

At the same time, Stetzer reminds us that there are reputable sources in the mainstream media and there are good journalists who strive to report on faith-related issues in all fairness. Understanding that networks like CNN tend to lean left and Fox News tend to lean right, he suggests that, as Christians, “our goal should be a maturity to engage reporting with a critical eye rather than to shout bias upon seeing a logo. We need to develop a track record of accepting hard truths that are well supported rather than if they support our political or cultural narrative.”

In this day when it is easy to hit that “like” button or to “share” a posting, Stetzer says, “we need to resist our temptations to [become] echo chambers….” In our search for information, James gives us a clear warning, “Do not be deceived…” (James 1:16). That is sometimes easier said than done. The key in our search for information is to find those reliable sources and to use the spiritual maturity we have in Christ in our evaluation of the thoughts and opinions of others.

In our use of social media, Stetzer says we need to make Christ the Lord of [our] social media. As we create profiles on social media outlets like Facebook, he reminds us that, “Social media profiles can be misleading and even destructive if the heart behind them is not submitted to Christ.” As we post on social media or comment on other’s postings, Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:34c-37 (NRSV) offer some guidance: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”  Be careful of the words you use on social media. Do they reflect Christ as Lord of all of your life?

In these days of divisive politics, a pandemic, and ongoing racial tensions, we and our leaders are in need of God’s wisdom. Where do you look for answers? Stetzer notes that, “When faced with uncertainty, many Christians have developed concerning habits of turning to cable news or even social media platforms like Facebook or Reddit when trying to make sense of the world.”

In such a world, we need wisdom. The words of James can guide us in times like these: “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.” (James 1:5 NRSV) We all lack wisdom and we need the direction of God as we seek out truth. As we seek information and answers, a simple rule of thumb for us as believers is this: consider how does what I am reading or hearing fit with God’s word revealed in Scripture?

In James 1:19 we are encouraged to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” In our use of social media we often are too quick to hit that “like” button or to offer our commentary with that “comment” button. Most all of us know this, but it bears repeating, never send an angry email. You might want to write it as an exercise in releasing some built-up tension, but then put it in your “drafts” box and leave it there. The same can be said for responding to social media postings: when you’re tempted to engage online in frustration or in anger, hit pause and think about it. Remind yourself, how is my response reflecting Jesus as Lord of all my life.

As believers, how we portray ourselves on social media speaks volumes about who we are. When there are so many voices bombarding us each day through the media and technology, sometimes we just need to take a break and get out the most reliable source we have: God’s word, the Bible. In regards to social media, use the wisdom God has given you through His word; be slow to speak and slow to anger; be a reflection of the Christ who is in you.

Prayer:

O God, in these difficult days, guide us to your truth. In our use of media, give us your wisdom; reveal to us your truth; remind us of whose we are in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.