What about Internet ?

There may not be a direct application of scripture but it is a modern tool we should use with care. Much evil is rapidly passed on through movies by both seeing and hearing simultaniously making it a powerful tool for evil as well as good. Training videos can be a good way to learn a skill. I am somewhat cautious in this regard. Here is a verse speeking about what we should think about with the decired ending of peace. Do our thoughts and actions bring peace? Or is there regret after we do something! Philippians 4:8-9 NLT - And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Gary Miller has several interesting books on technology. Compass Foundation is a internet filtering business if you are interested in protecting yourself from dangers on the internet. In closing training our conscience and listening to it not searing it is a work for a young Christian. Parents and churches can help us form convictions on where to place the line. Technology is a powerful weapon for evil and tool for good. God bless you as you build convictions in this area of your life.

Romans 12:1-2 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
I will take the stand that the internet, youtube, TV and movies are frequently and for almost all people used primarily for evil and for conforming to the world. I know that in my own past, exposure to content that was for personal education but included course language and crude joking changed how I thought, and effected the words that came to my mind. The more I heard evil talk, the more I would think about and be tempted with using evil talk. Taking a step back, even watching the news can easily change my thinking to be focused on money (much of our news in the USA is about the economy and stock market), wealth and the things money can buy. Advertisements and the way people dress in the world has continued to get less and less modest, watching immodestly dressed people is likely to lead to worldly thoughts and attitudes. Movies and television also often present good and evil behavior together in the protagonists, also making it easier for us to conform to the ways of the world. Of course, I haven't even mentioned the very openly evil things, and many conventional Christians even see many of these issues as well.
Another worrying aspect of the internet, TV and the like is the misuse of God's time. We are not here on this earth to entertain and amuse ourselves, but to serve Jesus our King. An excellent message on Sports, but that is heavily applicable to all forms of entertainment, can be found here: The Christian View Of Sports (To The Parents) - Charity Christian Fellowship

If I understand well, we should approach Internet/TV with carefulness, with in mind that it is often us with evil motive. We should use much discernment and if something is a threat to our relationship with Jesus-Christ, it should be discarded. Like the verse about the eye says (Mt 5:29). Like many things such as Internet, TV, and other such things has an influential power that can erode or values. But I still wonder if, movies for example, is necessarily bad for every one, if it listen with parsimony. Should the line be the same for every one, or could we, using discernment, decide what is garbage and what is ok. Because we are not all the same, for some movies (my example), and I think the majority, is harmful, but for others, it doesn't affect them, like my mother,s friend. Thanks for the quick response. I very appreciate 🙂. 

I will share from Romans ch14 (5-6) “One man’s esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. He that regards the day regards it unto the Lord. And he that eats, eats unto the Lord. For he gives God thanks. And he that eats not, unto the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks.” I believe it would be proper to include watching videos in this passage. Continuing (vs14) “I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: except to him who accounts anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” I could say more but I don’t think it’s necessary at this point. God bless you all 

Thanks ! It has been a great help 🙂.

Would a movie be a modern graven image? I’ve also wondered if photos or recorded music could be the same? There’s something about people on film which just doesn’t sit well with me, and have been thinking on this for a while. It promotes pride, social comparison, individualism, and affects whoever watches as well. Even seemingly good learnings or wholesome content. Listening to audio seems better in a lot of ways. Recorded music though seems to be too powerful. Even good praise music. The more i thought on the idea, i keep coming back to wondering about graven images. I’ve been using the internet to learn how to get off the internet. David’s teachings helped me to find an anabaptist church. I guess God is continuing to deworld me. :) 

I may be wrong but I believe the reason why God had a problem with his people making graven images, is because of the danger of their becoming an idol. Interesting enough God wanted cherubim to decorate the curtains of the temple (around exodus ch30). I believe the greatest issue is that we have no other Gods beside him alone. I believe movie, social media, cars, trucks, clothing, artwork, and any other man-made object can become an idol if we allow it to. I believe the internet has became one of the greatest time-wasters or shall I call it an idol, or object of worship. I believe the internet can however be blessing of God to his kingdom, if we ourselves use proper reserve. I think we can all agree historic faith website is a blessing. Also the biblical manuscripts are available online check CSNTM Center of Study New Testament Manuscripts. God’s blessings to each of you.

This is a great passage. It helps to answer my question. Thank you for sharing it.