Internet in your life in the year 2021?

[Soloist]

The point I am making is that focusing on filtering of CONTENT only gets to part of the issue and not really the main issue when it comes to kids and social media. Sure there are some boys who are no doubt searching out porn and can probably find it no matter what you do. But most kids spend a lot more time just socializing online rather than seeking porn or other content that you might want to filter.

I agree, filtering is only part of the issue. A bigger issue is the socializing the children get. I would homeschool my children long before having them in that cesspool called public school, no offense to some very good teachers...
The danger of social media is often laughed about but has more risk to the Christian often then many other things we do.

[Neto]

I have it at home, but not at my business place, where I almost always work alone. I do now have a smart phone, and I had some nasty stuff pop up a couple of times in 2 days, but I seldom use the internet on the phone at all, except I occasionally listen to an old Christmas song (in German) that always brings back a flood of memories for Christmases at my grandparents, when my aunt would play the piano, and all the rest would crowd around & sing Christmas carols. But this one song really does it for me.

(There are various renditions of it on YouTube, but my favorite is by the Reimer family.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGcueIrhT1c

[Josh]

The point I am making is that focusing on filtering of CONTENT only gets to part of the issue and not really the main issue when it comes to kids and social media. Sure there are some boys who are no doubt searching out porn and can probably find it no matter what you do. But most kids spend a lot more time just socializing online rather than seeking porn or other content that you might want to filter.

I agree, filtering is only part of the issue. A bigger issue is the socializing the children get. I would homeschool my children long before having them in that cesspool called public school, no offense to some very good teachers...
The danger of social media is often laughed about but has more risk to the Christian often then many other things we do.

Agreed. You’re best off sending your kids to school where the school agrees not to have students possessing cell phones.

Of course there is immense pressure for youth to get cell phones for “safety”, yet little concern for the serious dangers.

[JimFoxvog]

I don't think it is the technology that causes people to sin.

For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

We need to deal with the heart issue, not bans, filters, accountability systems, or other things that can be evaded.

[Josh]

I don't think it is the technology that causes people to sin.

For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

We need to deal with the heart issue, not bans, filters, accountability systems, or other things that can be evaded.

That doesn’t mean you give something harmful and addictive to children. I think we can outlaw heroin, it’s more than just a “heart issue” of avoiding addictive drugs. Same goes for unhealthy, addictive fast food and junk food - despite having the best of intentions and a good heart, people end up eating this toxic trash and having terrible health as a result.

[Soloist]

I don't think it is the technology that causes people to sin.

For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

We need to deal with the heart issue, not bans, filters, accountability systems, or other things that can be evaded.

I completely agree, but...

One who is trying to be free of the snare of the evil of the heart will cut off those things that will prove to be a downfall. A person who is/was an alcoholic will not go to a bar or walk down the liquor isle lest they are tempted to fall. Someone who struggles with porn would very likely want to make it a little harder so their temptation is easier to avoid.

The real objection you have is not the aids for the heart, but the church laying down rules on people you would see as not having issues. I think you would see it reasonable to not eat meat around someone who would be offended and likewise the drinking.

If the issues of porn is often an awaken stirring, often from seeing something, then we would want to prevent that issue from becoming a struggle. Also what child is actually a Christian? We don't believe that a child is going to be mature in the faith from day one yet avoiding these pitfalls in life can strengthen them.

No one sends a soldier to the battlefield without extensive training first, lest they panic, flee and are shot while running. Or over react and shoot civilians. The Scriptures say not to ordain one young in the faith (not in age) lest satan tempts them and they fall. This sounds a lot like a ruling that isn't specific to someone's sin but rather a safeguard against sin that is not yet a problem.

[Sudsy]

I don't think it is the technology that causes people to sin.

For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

We need to deal with the heart issue, not bans, filters, accountability systems, or other things that can be evaded.

I agree with Jim here. A Jim in agreement with a Jim.

When the heart is made right with God, I believe we are either going to walk primarily by the Spirit or by the flesh. As we encourage one another to grow closer to the Lord and we take steps to do this, our minds and desires are transformed to have a heart more like Jesus. Jesus didn't go and hide from worldly situations and the religious people thought he should. No, He modeled a life that was very much in the world but not of the world.

I know of Christians that were once alcoholics and now minister to alcoholics even in bars. How can they do this without being drawn back into alcoholism ? Because they rely on the enabling, supernatural power of the Holy Spirit who delivers them from this. I remember my father, the day after he gave his life to Christ, pulling out a pack of smokes and the first drag was sickening to him and never smoked again. He found out quickly just what God can do in us in a supernatural way.

I am far from where I could be in my determined efforts to walking in the Spirit but know that as I draw closer to God (one of these means is the opportunity to watch various sermons over Youtube), the less I am interested in the junk I have access to. I don't need some rules or filters rather just desiring and being aware of the Holy Spirit's guidance. It is a heart issue in my fellowship with God. And scripture says it is God working in us both to will and to act so I just need to co-operate.

Well, sorry to get so wordy but that is my view and experience.

[ken_sylvania]

I don't think it is the technology that causes people to sin.

For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

We need to deal with the heart issue, not bans, filters, accountability systems, or other things that can be evaded.

Let's do that with COVID also. No masks, social distancing, contact reporting, etc., as none of these things are failproof.
Deal with the heart issue instead.

[Sudsy]

I don't think it is the technology that causes people to sin.

For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

We need to deal with the heart issue, not bans, filters, accountability systems, or other things that can be evaded.

Let's do that with COVID also. No masks, social distancing, contact reporting, etc., as none of these things are failproof.
Deal with the heart issue instead.

If one's heart is lead by the Holy Spirit to follow or not follow what is suggested that may save lives, then do as one feels led as we will all stand before God and answer to whether or not we followed the Spirit's guidance or our own or what other's tell us to believe. God knows our real motives and what voice(s) we chose to be guided by. Whatever we do we are to do it as unto the Lord. Right ?

[ken_sylvania]

I don't think it is the technology that causes people to sin.



We need to deal with the heart issue, not bans, filters, accountability systems, or other things that can be evaded.

Let's do that with COVID also. No masks, social distancing, contact reporting, etc., as none of these things are failproof.
Deal with the heart issue instead.

If one's heart is lead by the Holy Spirit to follow or not follow what is suggested that may save lives, then do as one feels led as we will all stand before God and answer to whether or not we followed the Spirit's guidance or our own or what other's tell us to believe. God knows our real motives and what voice(s) we chose to be guided by. Whatever we do we are to do it as unto the Lord. Right ?

Are you suggesting that perhaps if one's heart is in the right place, the Spirit's guidance might lead us to decline to use internet, or to use filters or accountability systems to limit our exposure to the filth of the web?