Technology use, machine learning, and artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming more widely used across multiple industries. Like most innovations it offers several benefits, but can also cause problems if misused. In education, the pervasiveness of smartphones, the addictiveness of social media, and the convenience of ChatGPT has negatively impacted student’s ability to focus, to think deeply and critically, to research, to write effectively, and to engage personally. It’s ironic that the sword of technology which is meant to serve us can actually master us if we don’t wield it wisely.
A few days ago I pondered this as I read in the Bible about Absalom’s coup against his father, David, the king of Israel. When Absalom invaded, David fled the capital of Jerusalem. However during his retreat, David sent one of his court advisors to serve in Absalom’s court to counter the advice of Absalom’s chief advisor and to spy. David’s advisor reported any military intelligence to two priests who relayed it to their two sons. The sons were fast runners and brought the information to David who hid in refuge outside the capital (2 Samuel 15:13-37). If cell phones were available this elaborate plan could be streamlined by simply texting. Although that would be convenient it would constrain the people involved. They would not grow and develop to the same degree because they would not have had to take risks, problem solve, think creatively, use wisdom, collaborate, talk face-to-face, depend on others, develop character from adversity, and wait patiently. Technology can be good, but it should be used to enhance human interaction, creativity, and practical abilities, not to replace them.
Good Isn’t Always Advisable
This is true of other things in life also. A good thing—meant to serve you can become your master if it overwhelms you or if you over value it, over rely on it, or over use it. A habit can become your hindrance. A friendship can become your faltering point. A pursuit can become your prison. A strength can become your weakness. Goals, dreams, self-righteousness, and good works can become your main work. In addition, negative influences and sin can also oppress you like trauma, depression, anxiety, stress, jealousy, pride, greed, lust, and anger. Many times there is more than one thing which binds and enslaves you from day-to-day and season-to-season. If anything about yourself, anything in this world, or any other person keeps you from yielding to and clinging to God, then it isn’t serving you. It’s probably mastering you.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus can free you (John 8:34-36). God created you and loves you. He knows what is best for you which is to be with him, to be like him, and to do what he does. Jesus, God the Son, makes it possible for anyone who trusts him to know God and experience abundant life as his child now and forever (John 3:14-21; Romans 6:1-23). At the core of your being you desire to be your own master. All people do. It is a deadly disposition inherited from when Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, disobeyed God in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:6). Yet self-mastery doesn’t work. You end up being a slave to your own sin and the negative impacts of other’s sin. The wages of that sin is spiritual death because it separates you from God, the only source of life (Romans 6:23; John 1:1-4, 14:6). No one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Either you allow God to be master of your life by faith in Jesus or you serve yourself, something you idolize, or something that oppresses you.
God Exalts the Humble
If you grew up in an individualistic and self-serving culture, then this idea of submittting to or serving God may seem foreign and perhaps distasteful. However, surrendering to God is actually good and vital. Just before Jesus died to save people from their sin, he taught his followers an important lesson about humility and servanthood. In Israel it was customary in the first century for servants to wash the feet of people who came into a home. When the disciples gathered with Jesus to celebrate the Passover meal, Jesus, (the most important person attending) purposely took the role of a servant and washed their feet before they reclined for supper. He was teaching them about love and service. When one of the apostles, Peter, objected to Jesus washing his feet, Jesus told him, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8).
Likewise if you want to be a part of Jesus, to follow him, to know God, to fellowship with him and his family, then you must humble yourself by trusting Jesus and then through your new life in him, serve God and others. Jesus modeled this and taught this. When James and John tried to promote themselves and the other disciples became indignant, Jesus told them, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man [Jesus] did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26-28). Jesus submitted to God the Father as his master and then served others (Philippians 2:5-11). Likewise, you must submit to Jesus as your master. When you do he will wash you spiritually to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Then you should serve others by sharing Jesus’ love and salvation with them. In God’s kingdom there is only one king—God. If you don’t allow Jesus to be your master, then you can have no part of God or the fellowship of his family. God opposes the proud and self-righteous. He judges the self-serving. But he gives grace to the poor in spirit who recognize their need for a savior and lord. He exalts the humble who desire to serve him, the king of Kings (Matthew 5:3,8, 23:11-12; 1 Peter 5:5-6; James 4:6).
Serve God
There is a high opportunity cost when you spend too much time on the wrong thing or under a destructive influence—it keeps you from the right thing. Identify what might be mastering you. What are you passionate about? What do you spend time on? What do you think about or dwell on? What has control over you? What keeps you from doing what’s right? What diverts or distracts you from growing closer to God? Ask God to help you master anything that is mastering you. Don’t let anything continue to bind you (Hebrews 12:1-3). You are meant to be free in Jesus. Don’t let good things become your primary thing, which should be to love God and others above yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). Don’t live life for yourself. God is calling you to a better life with him. By faith in him, do everything with excellence as if you are directly serving him (Colossians 3:17, 23-24). Be filled with God’s Spirit. Submit to God to the point that he restores you, sustains you, and fills you to overflowing (Galatians 5:13-26). When you do there becomes little room for things that are less important, eternally insignificant, or spiritually damning.
Jesus taught, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-20). Out of love, by God’s grace and power, use the treasure, time, talents, and tasks God has entrusted you to please him and to benefit others (Romans 12:1-2). Take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5). Seek his kingdom first and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
Conclusion
Don’t let negative states of mind continue to trample your wellbeing. Let God help you rise in victory over them. Don’t continue to sin, it kills you. Ask God to forgive any wrongdoing and to empower you to live rightly (1 John 1:9; Psalm 139:23-24). Don’t be deceived. Evaluate what should serve you to determine if it is mastering you. Don’t fall for the lie that being your own master ends well. It doesn’t. In all these things, by faith trust God to master over you. Out of love, find your greatest pleasure in pleasing him and serving others.
Assign everything else a lower priority. If that means relying less on technology, do it. Put the phone away. Reduce your screen time. Don’t let technology dictate your thinking. Rely on God’s wisdom. Study the Bible and meditate on God’s truth. Pray to God and listen. Take time to be still and to reflect on who God is and who he wants you to be in Jesus. Quiet the voices and forces trying to master you, so you can hear God’s voice. When you do he will affirm you, heal you, transform you into the character of Jesus, equip you in truth, tell you which way to move forward, and empower you to do it.