10 Bible Principles Regulating Cell Phone Usage

“Mr. Watson, come here; I want you.”

In case you missed it, yesterday, March 10, 1876, was the anniversary of these words spoken by Alexander Graham Bell to his assistant in another room. It was the first discernible speech transmitted over a telephone system.

In May of that year, Bell “publicly demonstrated the invention before the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Boston, and in June at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. In October, he successfully tested his telephone over a two-mile distance between Boston and Cambridgeport.”

If Bell was alive today. I wonder what he would think of how far his invention has progressed? In fact, in just our life time, we’ve seen a rapid change in communication from stationary, land line, rotary phones to the incredible cell phones most of us use today.

Our progress, however, has contributed to some unintended problems with cell phone usage. Eye strain from prolonged screen time. Excessive use causing anxiety, depression, and low emotional stability. Addiction leading to a loss of focus, difficulty in social interaction, and a need for constant stimulation.

Some folks even have an excessive fear of being without their cell phones and being disconnected from technology. There’s even a name for it–Nomophopia. ‘

Furthermore, there is an another downside in the technology being used for scamming, sending sexually explicit pictures or messages called sexting, and the ease of accessing pornography. Messages can be sent or posts made to social media that are ugly, unkind, and even vulgar.

However, there is a positive side to the technology our cell phones afford us. We can improve our ability to stay in touch with our loved ones when traveling. Apps on our phones can provide helpful information. The GPS can aid us when traveling. We can pay bills, access our bank accounts, check a weather report, and of course take pictures.

Text messages can be sent to encourage friends, family, and brethren. We have access to God’s Word in any language or translation wherever we are.
We can listen to hymns on our phones, watch and listen to sermons, and find locations of churches where we can worship when traveling. We can read devotional blogs on our phones, like ThePreachersWord, or Roger Shouse’s Jump Starts. We can use an app like WordPoints to read the wonderful writing of Gary Henry.

Obviously, there is much more that could be said, both pro and con, about the use of our cell phones. But the point is with any technology or device it can be used for either good or bad. Something created to be an advantage and blessing for mankind can be abused, misused, and even twisted by the Devil for nefarious purposes.

So the use of our cell phones call for us to exercise wisdom. Consider these 10 Bible principles.

1. Don’t waste time with unnecessary, mindless scrolling. Make good use of your time (Eph. 5:16).

2. Refrain from communicating unwholesome words (Eph. 4:29).

3. Speak and text with love, kindness, patience, and good manners (1Cor. 13: 4-8).

4. Treat other people the way you want to be treated when talking or texting (Matt. 7:12).

5. Use technology to communicate what is noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Phil. 4:8).

6. Transmit only what is honest, accurate, and truthful (Prov. 12:22).

7. Avoid gossip and idle chatter (Prov. 16:28).

8. Show compassion to others whether talking, texting, or posting on social media (Col. 3;12).

9. In all interactions practice the second great command in loving your neighbor (Mk. 12:31).

10. Prioritize people and relationships over phones. God created us for community and fellowship. Your phone can’t replace that.

Bell’s invention has led to some marvelous technological improvements in our lives. As in everything let’s use it for good so that God can be glorified in all things.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman