[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith the emergence of so-called technological developments, social media and networks have now invaded every home even to the remotest parts of our state. Youngsters in particular are the ones who are directly or indirectlyswayed by the modern trends of lifestyles and culture through this means. There is a positive aspect in the sense that they are introduced to the fast changing world but the negative comes in larger bulk. There is always a need to educate our present generation of the ill-effects that this media can bring to family and society. Most of the rape cases, immorality, murder, violence, pre-marital sex and extra-marital relationships, etc., are directly or indirectly related to the hi-tech means available today. The social media in and of itself is not evil but the misuse of it is.Seeing it through a biblical perspective, the fall of humans originated from the eyes of our ancestors. Genesis 2: 9 explicitly states that, “the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil was pleasing to the eye…” I was reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6: 22-23 about the eye being the lamp of our whole body. It is through this eye that acts as a window to the soul. The eye is an agent in the parts of our body which brings in all the information from the outside world. When tempted in Matthew 4:8, Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. Maybe Satan showed Jesus the first ever HD TV of all that is in the world. But Jesus didn’t succumb to the trap of Satan and rebuked him uncompromisingly. Remember that this was the last trick of Satan that he placed before the Son of God. Therefore, Christians should be more sensible to the schemes and sham of our enemy.
Today Satan is placing before us this very last option of his scheme before the human race and billions are victims and enslaved by this means. The deception of Satan comes through alluring and appealing stuffs like that of internets, games, television shows and entertainment. The outer surface may seem to be reasonable and acceptable but the effect it can cause is detrimental. It was that look upon the forbidden tree that brought the whole of humanity under the curse of sin and death. Jesus pronounces, “If your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell (Matthew 18:9).”
Vebu Khamo
Kohima Bible College, Nagaland.
