In the world of technology, there are genuine blessings that God has given to us. Everything from language to hospitals, vehicles to copy machines, comes down from the Father of lights (Jas 1:17). They are gifts from the Creator. He has enabled those in his image to follow along, in their own limited way, by fashioning world-changing technology. But any blessing can become an idol when we allow it to dominate us and distract us from the Giver.

“When technology has distracted us to the point that we no longer examine it, it gains the greatest opportunity to enslave us.” (Dyer, From the Garden to the City)

Technology can very easily dominate and distract us. I am laying aside the standard Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube apps, of which most people recognize the positives and negatives, pitfalls and snares.

Here are two very common apps which could hook someone…

 Vine: 6 second looping videos. You can pack a lot into 6 seconds, and it doesn’t take much searching, or a very thorough knowledge of human nature, to figure out what kind of videos are going around.

Snapchat: send a picture and then have it “disappear” after being viewed. This seems to cater to a desire to “live wild” but leave “little evidence.”

I am sure these apps have positive features and some redeeming quality, but so does having a tiger for your household pet.

Jas 1:12- 15 – “12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”