In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul said, “all things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” As we consider this verse, there are a few things we need to keep in mind. First, Paul is dealing with matters of expediency, in particular the eating of meats. Secondly, Paul is not saying that everything is lawful. In the same context, he mentions several things that are “unlawful” and therefore could never be expedient (like fornication). Thirdly, in matters of expediency, two principles need to be exercised. We must consider how our actions impact others, never doing anything that may cause another to stumble (Rom. 14:14). And, we must consider how our actions impact our own faithfulness.
In the realm of lawful things, control must be exercised. We must not allow ourselves to fall victim, to be dominated or to become obsessed with anything. This is even true of things that are not inherently evil. There is nothing inherently wrong with sports, or with television, with entertainment or with the various forms of technology available to us. However, what often happens is that we allow ourselves to be overly obsessed. We become so enslaved to a practice that we no longer allow Christ to rule over that part of our life.
The abuse of technology has become a great danger to many in the church. While technology accomplishes many good things for which we can be thankful, too many become obsessed with various elements of technology. Some spend hours behind a computer screen surfing the internet, using social networking sites like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and so forth. Some, even many Christians, spend hours on such sites gossiping about everyone and everything. This is sin (Pro. 6:19; 10:19; 16:28; 20:3; Lev. 19:16 and Titus 3:2).
As God’s children, we have to be careful what we say, what we text and what we post on the internet. We should not hinder the Gospel or blaspheme the name of God by anything we do with technology. Paul said, “… do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Before you post anything, text anyone, or surf any site, ask yourself ‘Will this glorify God?’ If the answer is ‘No,’ then do not post it, send it or look at it (Jas. 4:17).
– Clay Bond