2nd Peter 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
This passage of scripture reveals to us how a person is brought into bondage by anything or anyone. The text states that a person must first be overcome before being enslaved by that which has sought the mastery of the individual. This principle runs the full gamut, including satan, sinful habits, drugs, and most recently, electronic devices that are steadily and increasingly bringing us into captivity to the point where we almost cannot do without them.
Most of the things we depend on for our survival now has that common element of electricity in them, starting with our alarm clocks in the morning, to our devotionals which are now mainly done online, then our breakfast is heated in a microwave, and then on to our blenders, our watches, our cars, our cell phones, our computers at home and at work, our television sets, our treadmills, our lighting, our ironing, and even our toothbrushes, all have that single element of electricity running as a common, indispensable thread throughout our existence.
Now while it is true that we must make the most of the modern inventions that have come upon the stage of action, putting them to good use, yet we must be careful not to become so dependent and attached to these devices that we become like a fish out of water, if they were to be suddenly removed from us. And worst yet, they should never be allowed to control us in any way, form, or fashion, for if this is allowed to take place, we will be brought into bondage and ultimately become prisoners of our own devices.
There is a proper time and place for everything, and there is a time when all the other voices in the world should be hushed, so that we can hear the still small voice of God speaking majestically and authoritatively to our souls. Especially should we avoid the snare of taking secular phone calls during church services or our devotional times, for then our time with God will also be held in subjection to our dependence and attachment to man-made devices, and the word of God specifically states that when God is being worshiped, no unnecessary distraction of any sort should be allowed to disturb the communication between us and our Creator, this according to the scriptures. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
It has become a common practice in Christian circles to be texting, tweeting, googling, and surfing the internet whilst prayer and praise is being offered to The Most High God. And calls are often taken during church services and devotionals for various trivial reasons. Whatever the device we may have at our disposal, it should always be kept in subjection under us and never vice versa, for if we permit them to control us, we will inevitably be preparing ourselves to receive the mark of the beast in the near future, which will also carry that common thread of electricity at it's core.
God has not called us unto bondage anymore, for He has granted us freedom, full and free through Jesus Christ, therefore we should use our liberty wisely, and not as a stumbling block to others and ourselves by becoming prisoners of our own devices. We should never allow ourselves to be brought to the point where we cannot exist without man-made gadgets, except for medical purposes, and let us always remember that what is most necessary for our survival, is not a multitude of electronic devices, but rather a vital connection with The Lord Jesus Christ. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reminds us that our complete freedom and dependence is only to be found in Christ alone. Let's read:
John 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever" ...... 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
May God add His blessing to the application of His word. "Good night" and God bless!