The Christian and this world's present technology

"Wow! So soon?" Precious Osifo proudly giggled as her android phone kept beeping while receiving Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp messages. With her head delicately leaning against the cushion chair, she chuckled as she moved from one social media platform to another, enjoying the content of the messages. The message that delighted her most was the one that the goods she ordered just the previous day would be arriving that morning.

   Looking up from her phone, she sighted a dispatch rider of a reputable online company advancing towards her premises. Soon, the dispatch rider arrived and brought the consignment: a dozen of Christian literatures, a pair of black shoes and a red hand bag.

   "Good morning madam," he greeted, beaming with a smile.

   "Good morning," Precious replied, also smiling.

   "Are you Miss Precious?" He enquired.

   "Yes, I am," she replied.

   "It's my pleasure yo deliver the goods you ordered online yesterday," he said with searching eyes, trying to know if Precious was angry. "Sorry, I arrive a bit later than the appointed time. I was held up in a traffic jam," he apologized.

   "It's ok," Precious replied with cheerful countenance. "Are those for me?" She asked, pointing to the documents he held in his hand.

   "Yes, ma'am; just sign here and that is all," he answered respectfully. Precious signed the document and bid him goodbye.

   That wasn't the first time Precious was shopping online, except this time, the dispatch was faster than she expected. Although the dispatch vman apologized for arriving later than expected, Precious couldn't expect the consignment to have arrived any faster than the time it came. Most of her clothes, books and other educational materials were purchased online, and always delivered to her in the comfort of her home, though not this fast, giving her the time to perform other duties.

   The opportunities and comfort modern technology has afforded humanity is astonishing, she thought, reminiscing on the newly manufactured aircraft with swimming pool and other modern facilities. "What an Age!" She exclaimed, as she pondered on the technological wonders of the present generation.

Benefit of Advancement in Technology to this Generation

   The term, "Technology," according to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, is the practical application of knowledge, especially in a particular area; a capability given by the practical application of knowledge; a manner of accomplishing a task, especially using technical processes, methods or knowledge. The modern age is doubtless characterized by information, communication, science, education, etc. In information and communication technology (ICT), the smartphone, tablet, computer and the internet are prominent. In fact, the internet is referred to as information "superhighway," probably because of the speed and efficiency with which it processes information. Medicine, among other scientific fields, has witnessed tremendous breakthroughs with lots of benefit to humanity. Education has been relatively made easy in this modern time with online resource, academic programs and materials such as online degree programs, distant learning, e-classes, e-books, and portable document format (pdf). Knotty human problems are being solved through advancement in technology.

  Without doubt, there has been a remarkable shift from the Stone, Iron and Bronze Ages (as the past generation are now called) to the Jet, Digital or Modern Age characterized by military weapons and the use of technological devices. Dangerous weapons of war such as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs), nuclear warheads and drones, which destroy human lives are produced by powerful nations of the world to destroy enemy nations. Technological devices like aircraft, robots and automobiles are also being built.

   Of all the technological development of the modern world, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) seems to be the most notable and widespread. It affects every sphere if life including education, banking, trading, entertainment, government and the military. ICT is one major area of breakthrough in the 21st century. With the development of ICT, humanity now enjoys more comfort and ease with faster speed in accomplishing tasks. This is an evidence of the increase in knowledge that Prophet Daniel predicted will be the main feature of this generation (Daniel 12:4). 

   ICT has made the world a global village. Chiefs among its tremendous benefits are the internet (and its World Wide Web component) and the cell phone. Communication and transportation costs have been drastically cut because communication is made cheaper through the internet, especially the social media. You can now access life-tranforming information on platform or website like GoRighteous through email, YouTube, instant messaging, blogging, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Video conferencing in the comfort of your room or office. Distance is no longer a barrier as you can have current news at your fingertips. Most importantly, the Gospel of Christ can be easily shared with others from any part of the world without physical contact; and that's what GoRighteous Initiative is known for by the grace of God. 

   With just a click, you can access Gospel materials like books, Christian periodicals, sermons, tracts and songs. Edifying Christian discussion groups are also available on the Net. The internet is a useful evangelistic platform for the spread of the Gospel, which Christians are expected to take advantage of. Live Gospel ministration can also be viewed via satellite. This means you can reach people or watch live Gospel preaching in your church, in the comfort of your home and office and even while on the go via satellite and video streaming on the internet. Large materials such as online books, especially in pdf format, media files such as photos, music and videos can be uploaded anywhere or to anyone in the world as well as downloaded from any site on the Net for personal consumption or other purposes. Isn't that amazing?

   In addition, the internet is highly commercially maximized. Aside from the production of business-facilitating modern machines, internet (or online) marketing is becoming more rampant in this present generation. Internet shopping and banking is getting more popular by the day. Knowing this, a lot of people and organizations, including Christians, have taken their businesses online. This has helped to reduce cost, remove the distance barrier and reach wider range of customers or consumers.

   The global influence of technology on education at all levels is also apparent. Since Pressey's epoch-making development of the first teaching machine, other advanced teaching aids like audio and videotape recorders, overhead projectors, video projectors and computers have been developed. How else could distance learning have been made possible if not through the influence of technology? It has also become easier and time-saving to assess students with computer software. Even people with disabilities no longer have to panic over how to acquire formal education in the face of addictive technology like mechanical and non-mechanical, electronic and non-electronic aids among other specialized instructional materials. More importantly, academic research is now relatively easier than the previous generation since academic materials are abundantly availableeven the internet generally and internet library in particular.

   Modern technology has equally provided useful storage devices like the computer internal and external Hard Disk (HD), USB drive, memory card, especially the micro SD card, and the cloud (an unpredictable or unidentifiable part of a network through which data passes) storage. The world has also moved away from the use of cassette with its players to VCD, CD, DVD and their players. In fact, the latest audio and video players have gone beyond playing disk; they play media files, including High Definition materials. They include MP3 player, iPod, mini laptop, the computer wireless Bluetooth and cell phone, which make mass storage of data easier. This has greatly aided the spread of the Gospel since a good number of life-tranforming, edifying and inspiring sermons and Christian songs can be also bebsent to different unreached parts of the world where hard copies of the Bible and other Gospel materials are prohibited for furtherance of the Gospel.

   With the introduction of smartphones having an advanced mobile operating system (OS such as android, iPhone, iPad and Tablet) and running third-party software components called applications ("apps" for short-name), you can now download various apps from different apps stores or markets such as Bible (all kinds of Bible including study Bible with various Bible commentaries, dictionaries, concordances, history, maps, video clips, search engines to navigate different parts of the whole Bible, etc.), semantic dictionaries, encyclopedias, e-book, audio and video players, offices, etc. You can virtually do almost everything from your cell phones these days including saving and transferring money from the bank. It is a handheld computer, video, audio player ---you name it.

   Beyond the normal health care administration, technology has greatly aided in incredible surgical operations like cochlear (implanted hearing aid), which helps people with hearing impairment, ostomy (a surgical procedure in which an artificial opening for excreting waste matter is created) and artificial limbs, hip and knee implant. Radiotherapy (X-rays or beta rays) and respiratory assistance like oxygen supplementation are some other areas where medical technology improves human life. Moreover, complicated diseases are accurately diagnosed and treated. This, of course, has contributed immensely to healthy living. What shall we say about the electronic cash machine called automated teller machine (ATM) where you can withdraw money at any time you need it, even where banks are not operating and the computerization of almost everything. Indeed, this is a world where everything is made easy, and Christians have no excuse for not exploring technological advancement to reach lost souls for Christ. Unlike the Initiator of GoRighteous Initiative; Righteousness Joshua Aluaye-Ohiole would say: "If your time cannot be spent to win the lost, let your money do it for you. If you don't have the resources, sure you have the talents and ability." Do what your generation will remember you for. Its certain that GoRighteous Initiative is yet unknown, but we strongly believe that the Initiator is doing something now that his generation will look back to few years from now. Serve God with that little knowledge you have friend you'll be amaze how many lives God will use you to bring into His kingdom.

Adverse Effects of Modern Technology on this Generation

   Despite its numerous benefits, modern technology has some serious adverse effects in the world. First, there are technology related to health hazards. Due to prolonged use, the rays from computer and cell phones can cause blurred sight, leading to early use of eye glasses. Similarly, protracted use of earpiece or earphones can cause artificial hearing impairment. Prolonged use f the computer can also result in back and headaches as well as neck strain. Humanity is a!so prone to risk associated with sedentary lifestyle such as diabetes and obesity. Health experts advise that you should get up for a few minutes everyone hour to stretch yourself and breathe deeply if you work on desk. They say stretching helps alleviate tension in large muscle groups. It tones and relaxes the body, helps muscle flexibility and relieves pain in the joints. But most computer-based jobs keep you on your seat for longer hours without even having the time to eat your lunch.

   Helpful as medical discoveries are, system failure, danger from error occurring in Radio Therapy and drug abuse, among others,  have cut short many lives. The smoke and noise from modern machines and automobiles as well as wastes from oil exploration and gas flaring also constitute environmental pollution that reduces human life span.

   The internet has brought about cyber-crimes, and very many people not a few have been regrettably defrauded by internet fraudsters. Hackers have also succeeded in hacking into unsuspecting victim's personal data, manipulating them to their own advantage. Several organizations have had their secret information stolen by hackers have fraudulently accessed military and para-military  intelligence by hacking into their database, holding a whole nation to ransom. 

   Obsession with technological devices like cell phone is another subtle distraction from God and other meaningful activities, especially among youths. Ardent users even fell sick or uncomfortable without them. Unnecessary time wastage, poor reading culture (including reading the Bible), and poor performance in academics generally are other noticeable negative effects of such obsession. Technology in terms of fashion has also aided the promotion of nudity, and this has led to moral pervasion in the society. Other negative spiritual and bodily health effects of the fad and fashion of today is something we need to actually look into, because right from the beginning clothing was meant to cover our nakedness not exposing it, ah, but this generation said you can still cloth-in and cloth-out (that's fashionize your cloth to look good) but little do we know that that "looking good" in quote is nudity. In the beginning God cloths man, but today the devil making people including Christian to go naked and they are saying its advancement in technology. "Oh, I pray that God helps this generation." So lamented Righteousness Joshua Aluaye-Ohiole when he thought about this issue. If you're a Christian and you are dressing like the world taught men to dress; friend! You're on way to hell. Don't be confuse by own self saying you are dressing to pleased God. Hmm, you're a Big liar.

   Technology keeps passionate users emotionally isolated from friends and family members with whom they are supposed to establish meaningful relationship. It is heart-breaking  that people get glued to their cell phones while church services are in progress. Cyber church is another threat that would likely discourage physical gathering of God's children, especially in developed nations. Exposures to sexual immorality through pornographic pictures and videos, sexual perversion (like gay marriage, homosexuality, lesbians, bestility, masturbation, oral and anus sex), unhealthy internet relationship, etc., are other negative effects of technology on a society that is already bleeding from moral decadence. Internet dating and marriage has also become an acceptable culture to some people. Little wonder Jesus called this generation "an evil...adulterous and sinful generation" (Luke 11:29; Mark 8:38).

   As a Christian, you must be careful not to be corrupted and damned by modern technology. Be wise in its use, for "Wisdom is profitable to direct" (Ecclesiastes 10:10). Maximize the benefits of technology, but run from its danger. Repent from all the atrocious acts you've committed by abusing the use of technology, and it shall be well with you.

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God bless you.