I’ll be honest—I’ve done it. I wake up, and the first thing I reach for isn’t my Bible but my phone. And no, I’m not opening the Bible app. Instead, I’m checking WhatsApp, my emails, and the news feed. During meals, I often find myself pulling out my phone to check notifications. Even when I’m spending time with my children or wife, I sometimes nod and pretend to listen while my eyes remain glued to the screen. Yes, I’ve even glanced at other apps during church services, all while using the Bible app.
It’s a struggle that many of us share, but there are practical strategies to help regain control. Simple changes like charging your phone outside the bedroom or establishing “no-phone zones” during meals and family time can be effective. There are also apps designed to track and limit screen time, offering tangible ways to curb overuse. Some people have even opted for “dumb” phones, which offer basic functionality reducing dependence on technology. In more extreme cases, support groups, counselling programmes, and digital detox retreats are becoming increasingly available for those who are addicted to their screens.
While strategies are important, as a church, we must go deeper. We must not only provide the “how” but also address the “why” of this addiction. Often, our constant use of smartphones is a way of avoiding or escaping from the stresses of life. But Scripture reveals an even more profound truth about our enslavement to this technology.
While our modern smartphones are new, the root of this problem is ancient. Since the time of Adam and Eve, humanity has faced the temptation to be “like God”—to seize control of our own lives and rebel against the true King (Gen 3:5). Our smartphones offer us a taste of that illusion. With a single swipe, we send out announcements and receive news from across the world. We order food, clothes, and anything our family needs or wants, delivered right to our door. We summon the best musicians and entertainers with a tap. And now, with AI, we can call upon virtual assistants to write for us, advise us, or create art on our behalf.
But this power comes with a cost. Scripture shows us that when we reject God’s kingship, we inevitably become enslaved to the very things we thought would make us free (Rom 6:16). The smartphone may promise convenience and control, but it often ends up controlling us.
The good news of the gospel, however, is that we are not without hope. Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, took on the form of a servant, becoming obedient unto death—even death on a cross (Phil 2:6–8). In his grace, he bore the penalty of our rebellion so that we could be set free from the things that enslave us. Through Christ, we are no longer slaves but children of God, and co-heirs with him in his kingdom (Gal 4:7).
So the next time we instinctively reach for our smartphones, may we pause and remember that there is only one true King. Let us offer every part of our lives, including our technology, in service to him and his kingdom (Rom 6:13). In Christ, we are called to live in true freedom, where even our devices can be tools for God’s glory rather than distractions from his call.
For Discussion
- In what ways do our devices give us an illusion of control, and how can we recognize when they are taking God’s place in our lives?
- What strategies can we adopt to ensure that our devices are tools for God’s kingdom rather than distractions from his call?
