Rethinking Our Digital Habits: Wisdom from Tony Reinke
As Christians, we must acknowledge that technology is not inherently evil, but it can be a powerful tool for expressing human autonomy. In his book “12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You,” Tony Reinke challenges us to evaluate our digital habits and consider how they impact our lives.
A Window into Our Hearts
Reinke notes that our phones can reveal our true desires, often exposing our superficial and vain distractions. He writes, “My phone screen divulges in razor sharp pixels what my heart really wants.” This realization should prompt us to ask ourselves: What technologies serve my aims? And what are my goals in the first place?
Mortality and the Digital Age
The reality of our mortality puts social media and smartphone habits into perspective. Reinke reminds us that Christ’s return is imminent, and this truth should declutter our lives of everything superficial. Our battle against distractions is a heart war that can only be waged if our affections are locked firmly on the glory of Christ.
The Problem of Sinful Alienation
Technology reminds us of our fundamental problem: we are sinfully alienated from God. Reinke warns that thoughtlessly adopting new technology is worldliness. Instead, we must think biblically about the impact of our phones on ourselves, our creation, and our relationships with God.
Redemptive Hope
Our ultimate redemptive hope is not in technology, but in Christ. Reinke writes, “In him, the powers of sin have been broken. We are no longer bound to obey our eye lust, bound to seek the approval of man, bound to find our relevance in viral memes, or addicted to what’s trending on Reddit.”
Living Smartphone Smart
As Christians, we are called to live smartphone smart, moving toward a resplendent city full of glory and innovation that will blur our smartphones into a foggy memory. May we be intentional about our digital habits, using technology to serve our aims and glorify God.
Additional Insights from Tony Reinke
- “The sweep of technological advance is a gracious gift from God to help us live in a fallen creation.”
- “Life in the digital age is an open invitation for clear, biblical thinking about the impact of our phones on ourselves, on our creation, on our neighbors, and on our relationships to God.”
- “We are no longer bound to obey our eye lust, bound to seek the approval of man, bound to find our relevance in viral memes, or addicted to what’s trending on Reddit.”
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