Digital Life

Bible Passage: Psalm 1:1-3

This is perhaps the least frequently preached on of all the topics covered in this series, but as we consider what it means to live as everyday disciples in the modern world, it is fundamentally important. So much of life is lived online, and whilst many of the principles we consider generally do have applications to digital life, there are also some unique pressures and challenges that come in this domain, and it is good to take some time and think about how the Bible shapes the way we engage in this area of life. To do so, we will consider the opening verses of Psalm 1.

Where do we root ourselves?: The psalm leans on the imagery of a tree planted beside streams of water as a way to ask us where we are rooting ourselves and what kind of life it is bringing about within us. The different environments we spend our time in will have an effect on us and lead us into either flourishing or destruction. Online life can have lots of benefits, but is also an environment we can find ourselves drawn to spend a lot of time in, and we should carefully think about the impact it can have. Some dangers can include the disembodied nature of relationships, the constant ‘always on’ nature of news and social media that can stir anxiety within us, and the power of certain algorithms to promote materialistic indulgence, pornography, individualism or increasingly polarised extreme views of the world. In addition, our devices give us the ability to immediately alleviate boredom or answer any question we have, and in doing so fill the low-level ‘space’ in our days. Any of these dynamics alone can be mitigated, but together they can have an effect on any of us, and it is wise to pause and ask whether this is creating the flourishing life that is promised, and that this psalm associates with the one who spends their days pondering on God’s word.

What voices do we listen to?: The contrast in these verses is between those who meditate on God’s law, and those who keep the company of the wicked, sinners and mockers. The question is about which voices we choose to listen to, because these are the voices that we will be formed by and that will set the path of our lives. In the online space we encounter a lot of voices, and it becomes easier to be influenced and led astray by different opinions. Algorithms are designed to serve up more of the kind of content we have already engaged with, and in increasingly extreme forms, and it can be hard to avoid echo chambers where sympathetic views are rarely challenged. Some of the time this can carry an edge of hostility, or the ‘mockery’ that this verse talks about. As we consider our digital engagement and the flourishing life, an important part of this is to ask whose voices we are choosing to give attention to, and what impact these voices are having on our hearts.

What fruit do we bear?: The result of the different ways of life that the psalmist talks about is very different. The one who flourishes yields fruit in season and does not wither. On the other hand, the ‘wicked’ one is blown away like chaff. The telling factor about our different patterns of life is what fruit they lead us to bear in our lives. It is good to take an inventory about our digital engagement (and also about the rest of life too) where we ask ‘is this making me kinder or more harsh to others’, ‘is this bringing me peace or anxiety’, ‘is this standing me in good stead for life as a disciple or is it leading me astray’. If the answer to any of those questions is the latter option then that should cause us to make some changes to our practice in these areas.

Potential Applications:

• The application for this should not be a legalistic ‘here is what you can and can’t do with your devices’. It is much more about helping people think through life with a wisdom lens, and so the take home is more a set of good questions to ask than a particular ‘to do list’.
• There are a few particular online challenges to be aware of, including the addictive nature of devices and the social pressure that some (especially young people) face to be present online. Be ready to support and pray with anyone who finds these challenges particularly tough as they seek to follow Jesus in this area.