On the day of my wedding, my phone was glued to me the entire day. My wedding dress had no pockets, but I was chuffed that my phone had a sock pocket. It certainly made it easier for me to carry it around. I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't miss any opportunity to capture special moments so I can share them on my Instagram stories. During that time, my followers knew it was a big day for me. So I made sure that I give them updates on how my wedding day was going. I wanted to let them know I was having a fun time.
Isn't it silly? I thought I needed to capture special moments on a glassy rectangle device? I wish I could have just enjoyed the moment rather than thinking about sharing my special day with my followers on Instagram.
Looking back now. I pity myself for thinking and acting that way. I knew I spent a significant amount of time on Instagram. However, it took a long while for me to realise that it was becoming an idol. I spent 2-3 hours on Instagram per day. I would share my workouts with vain poses and the highlights of my life. Deep inside, I liked the attention. And slowly but surely.... I found Instagram a nice place to feel loved, seen, heard and validated.
After reading the book 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You by Tony Reinke, I was convicted. I knew that Instagram and Facebook were an idol in my life, so I had to completely cut it off from my life. This book pointed me to other books that opened my eyes to how my phone was changing me. And it was for the worse.
The writer of Hebrews writes,
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
-Hebrews 12:1-2.
Instagram was an idol for me, so just taking a few days or weeks or even months off won't be obeying this command.
Research shows that social media is significantly affecting many people negatively. Although we cannot say it is addictive similar to drugs. It has been noted that it is addictive enough to lure us to waste our time scrolling through our feed. And when we check the time, boom! that's 30 minutes gone. The more we scroll through our feed and feed our brains with these well-curated photos. It leaves us feeling worse before we even started scrolling.
If an alcoholic tries to stop drinking and continues to store alcohol in his house. No matter how much he restrains himself. He will get tempted to drink again. The reason why I left social media is that I do not want to flirt with sin—the sin of self-glory.
In July 2020, I decided to quit social media finally. It has been 8 months since I've been offline. I have learned so much since then. My life is so much better, and my relationship with God flourished immensely. I now have more time to be in solitude, reflect on my life, meditate, learn, and study God's Word. My creativity is so much better. My academic life is so much better. My brain is no longer scattered. My focus is not as fragmented as before.
Life without social media is not dull. It has taught me to embrace the little things, enjoy the present, and focus on what's important.
HOW I USE THE INTERNET
YouTube - Yes, I still watch YouTube. But if I am not careful, I will spend unnecessary hours on it. So instead of treating YouTube as entertainment (something I go to when I am bored and be entertained), I treat it as a library. It is a place where I could learn more. I personally enjoy watching sermons and educational videos on YouTube. Moreover, because I know my tendency to fall into the rabbit hole of watching endless videos, I allocate times to go on YouTube, especially because it is incredibly distracting when I am studying.
Movies and entertainment - I personally unsubscribed to Netflix and Amazon Prime Videos mainly because there are plenty of X-Rated movies I know I will be tempted to watch. Pursuing holiness is not legalistic; it is obedience to God's commands.
Consider what this psalmist writes:
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
-Psalm 119:101-102
I encourage you my brothers and sisters in Christ, to pursue holiness. What we take in affects the mind and heart. King Solomon reminds us to guard our hearts for everything flows from it (Proverbs 4:23). YOUR DIGITAL INTAKE MATTERS.
Therefore, I encourage you, "to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
-Ephesians 4:22-24
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