Humans in the 21st Century live in an entirely different context from the days of the people in the Bible. Today, there’s high speed internet connection, air travel, dating apps and even contactless food delivery. And if you described the world today to the average Joe from any point in the Bible’s roughly 4,000 years of history, they simply wouldn’t believe it.
Yet, no faith-inspired text holds as much truth relevant to the digital age like the Bible. Its injunctions, both in the Old and New Testaments provide timeless advice on responsibility, ethics and proper decision-making in the modern world. Here are five core themes prevalent through the pages of Scripture that can help us navigate contemporary everyday choices.
Understanding Before Action
Discerning right from wrong is a recurring theme in faith-based texts, and, in fact, the Bible lists discernment as one of the gifts of the Spirit. However, to discern, one must be knowledgeable and fully understand the consequences of a decision or action.
In the modern, digital world, faith-inspired wisdom requires us to reflect rather than act on impulse. The Book of Proverbs particularly warns about the dangers of haste in speech and action. So, before you comment hastily on a social media post or make a one-click purchase on Amazon, ensure you fully understand the effect of your actions.
Self-Control as a Form of Spiritual Discipline
Although similar to discernment, self-control deserves a stand-alone consideration. In an age where everything screams for our immediate and prolonged attention, almost to the point of addiction, self-control calls for restraint and discipline.
Tagged as a fruit of the Spirit in the New Testament, the Bible teaches that self-control is cultivated through intentional decision-making and consistency, rather than sheer willpower. Making a conscious decision to disconnect from the endless stimulation of digital media can prove liberating.
Self-control is acknowledged even in other religions as an act of spiritual discipline that can help you break free from the compulsive habits like doomscrolling and gluttony that can quickly form living in the modern age.
Ethical Use of Time
Christian theology teaches a great deal about time, but emphasizes the fact that time is short and that believers are to “redeem the time”. Essentially, this injunction represents a call to make use of the limited time wisely and purposefully.
For people living in the 21st Century, redeeming the time can have different interpretations. On one hand, it can signal a call to devote more time to spiritual growth, meaningful relationships or service. And on the other hand, it may seem to be a reminder to cut back on time spent on activities, which may not be inherently harmful, but isn’t the best use of time.
As a case in point, time spent navigating the best casino games to play online can be fun. However, spending more time than necessary on casino games can trigger compulsive gaming habits and irrational decision-making.
Thankfully, in keeping with timeless spiritual wisdom, information sites like Casino.com recommend sites with responsible gambling tools such as self-exclusion and time limits. Modern tools such as these help players manage time ethically and make informed decisions.
Responsible Utilization of Money
In most theological teachings, the allocation and use of money is linked with moral accountability, instructing both the wealthy and poor to make responsible financial decisions. Although what amounts to a responsible financial decision today is not the same as in the days of the Old Testament patriarchs, the advice remains practical.
Christianity, as well as other religions, teach generosity and giving to the poor, caution against allowing wealth to dominate one’s heart and moderation in the utilization of money. In an age where financial transactions are seamless and ultra-fast, faith-based wisdom requires that we prioritize financial literacy and distinguish needs from wants in decision-making.
Faithfulness and Integrity
Finally, there is a need for faithfulness and integrity in modern-day dealings. One of the biggest problems arising from the age of the internet and the interconnectedness of peoples around the world is the illusion of choice it presents. With many people tempted to think that there’s better elsewhere, vices like fraud, disloyalty and dishonesty are rife.
However, the Bible teaches quite the opposite—to be faithful in little and to be honest in dealings with one another. Faithfulness and integrity also mean honouring commitments and acting ethically even if the consequence for behaving otherwise is not immediately visible.
Concluding Remarks: Living Wisely in an Interconnected World
Ultimately, theology does not reject technology or the convenience it affords us. Instead, it challenges us to use it with restraint and responsibility. Wisdom in the digital age means using faith as a moral compass when trying to align technological advancements in our world with ethical principles. And by making everyday choices guided by faith, we can better contribute to building a reflective, humane digital culture.
