Living a Godly Life in the Digital Age: Overcoming Social Media Distractions

We’ve all heard the question, “Do you live to eat or eat to live?” This morning, as I sat on the side of my bed preparing to stand and begin my day, the first thing I reached for was my phone, instinctively looking for the Facebook icon. I paused for a moment and wondered, “Wow, am I really that addicted to Facebook?” In that moment, I made the decision to remove Facebook from my phone, drastically limiting my time on the app.

Let me clarify: I still have my Facebook account and will check it a couple of times a day. But for me, it was time to take back control and stop allowing it to dominate so much of my focus and time.

Why We Become Addicted to Habits and Social Media

The reason we become addicted to certain things, habits, or even people is not necessarily because they are inherently bad or wrong, but because we allow them to consume too much of our time and attention. These things, habits, and people can become controlling forces, limiting our ability to experience the many beautiful moments life has to offer.

For example, I know people who love playing games on their phones, which is perfectly fine and can be enjoyable. But if your entire road trip is spent playing a game, you might miss out on the stunning scenery passing by. Life is full of moments that deserve our full attention, and we should strive to find a balance between technology and real-life experiences.

A Biblical Perspective on Self-Control and Balance

When Jesus and His disciples walked the earth, there were no phones or computers, and the way people socialized was very different. However, the Apostle Paul wrote in Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.”

In no way am I suggesting that everything on Facebook or social media is ungodly or wrong. However, it is clear that we are called to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. As Christians, we are blessed with the Fruit of the Spirit, which is described in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Striving for Balance in a Tech-Driven World

May the Spirit of our Lord Jesus be manifest in our lives, helping us focus more on Him and less on the distractions of social media and other influences. It’s not about rejecting technology entirely but finding a healthy balance that allows us to experience life fully and stay true to our values.