Hey, it’s a new app! It tells me the weather, sports highlights and stock changes for the day. And it’s free! What a deal! All I have to do it download it, agree to the conditions and I get instant, up to date information and it’s free! Or is it?
We have an insatiable desire for information, especially when it’s free. There is a built in curiosity that began with Eve in the Garden of Eden and continues today, only in much greater sophistication. Consider those free apps.1 First of all, who reads the conditions? There is so much legalese and it seems pretty “harmless” so most of us just check the agree box and the software downloads onto our phone or computer device.
Second, because of the “free app,” we don’t really know what spyware or malware is invading our private data, regardless of the “neat-new-information-we’re-getting.” Suspected financial theft and other personal identity information have been known to digitally be extracted and exposure is unknown.
Thirdly, the app may be through a game a child downloads onto dad or mom’s phone or computer. It’s just a free game, but the designer has a more devious purpose to hack the back of the parent. Consider me cynical, but I’d rather suspect and question than be oblivious.
Why does this happen? As a nation, we’ve moved away from the Lord Jesus Christ. We don’t consider that dependency on all these creative communications may be a sign of our lust for the new and unknown, just like Eve was tempted with the new and unknown fruit. We easily get “bored” with the old or familiar – after all familiarity breeds contempt doesn’t it?
The Lord spoke through Jeremiah to His rebellious people Israel, “Because My people have forgotten Me, They have burned incense to worthless idols. And they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways, From the ancient paths, To walk in pathways and not on a highway.” (Jer. 18:15 NKJ)
Again the Lord spoke,
Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, `We will not walk in it.’ (Jer. 6:16 NKJ)
Understand, there is nothing wrong with new apps or technology, unless there is an evil intent behind. But do you know? How content are you with what you have? Do you have to have the latest gadget, download, song, clothes, car or other trend? Are you content with the simple relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? Paul wrote,
2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Cor. 11:2-3 NKJ)
Shepherding Truth 