Wisdom Wednesday

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Genesis 11:1-4

Tony Reinke in his book, ‘God, Technology & the Christian Life’, makes a helpful argument about technology. Five chapters and some hundred years earlier, tar had been used by Noah in an act of faith to build an ark that would save humanity. Now at Babel, humans use this same waterproofing technology to protect a tower that will make a name for humankind in a challenge to God’s supremacy.

This reminds us of Melvin Kranzburg’s great comment, “technology is neither good nor bad; nor is it neutral.” We see this right? What a wonderful thing that we can listen to sermons on our daily commute. Or check in on a loved one who might otherwise be lonely/sad. At the same time you get something like Tinder or TikTok.

At the heart of the matter is a question. Am I using this technology for God’s glory, pleasure and good news? Or am I using it in an unhelpful way that takes me further from God, draws me deeper into the patterns of this world and into self-worship? Let’s consider and use wisdom.

For Today:

• Have you thought much about your technology use?
• How are you using technology in ways that draw you closer to God?
• How are you using technology in ways that take you further from Him?

Pray:

• Praise the Father that He is the ultimate innovator and the creator of the matter of the universe. 
• Give thanks for Christ who saves us and gives us new life that we might use technology for His glory rather than our own. 
• Ask God to give His Spirit to you and to others so that we might discern how to use technology wisely.