The Dangers of Cell Phones
II Cor 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for
we are not ignorant of his devices.
It was in 1973 in the research and
development lab of the Motorola Corporation that Dr. Martin Cooper gave us the
wonderful invention known as the cellular telephone. These phones were not very
popular in the 70’s and 80’s due to the large size, expensive cost, and bulky
attachments. But in the 90’s the cell phone craze began. Now in the year 2013, 88% of teenagers
between the ages of 13-18 have a cell phone. What is even more shocking is that
50% of children ages 8-12 have a cell phone. The average age when a person
receives their first cell phone is age 11. It is needless to say, the once
unpopular invention is now one of the most coveted and purchased items for a
teenager.
Let me begin by saying, I don’t believe cell phones are wrong. However, like anything else, they can be used for wrong. I believe cell phones give us a
way to communicate with people, a way to report emergencies, and a way to stay
in contact when traveling. They hold addresses, play music, send emails, surf
the web, give directions, take pictures and of course make phone calls.
I
am not the only one that has noticed the increased popularity and function
ability of the cell phone. The Devil is a sly and cunning tempter. He knows
there are some Christian teenagers he has failed to trap with his wiles and
darts. In a very strategic and effective move he has placed four of the
greatest enemies of Christian teenagers in a small handheld device that most of
them have or want. Rock Music,
Pornography, Worldliness, and Teenage Dating are all facilitated by the cell
phone. While I don’t think every
teenager with a cell phone is involved in these things, I am not naïve enough
to believe that none are; especially when most cell phones make it available.
I believe it would be foolish of me to
try to get you to get rid of your cell phone. You have probably begged,
pleaded, saved, and worked hard to get it. In our society, you will probably
have one for the rest of your life. What I would like to do is to give you some
warnings about some dangers that cell phones bring to the life of a teenager.
I. Social Pressure
For a teenager a cell phone is a symbol
of your social standing. What kind of phone, what features, how many minutes,
and how much it costs are steps in your cell phone reputation. Be careful that
the “Everyone is Doing It” and the “Mine Has To Be Bigger and Better”
philosophies don’t invade your life. You do not have to have a cell phone. We
lived for centuries without them. If you have one, you don’t have to have the
newest, most expensive one. Be happy with the one you have. This attitude while cute with toys and phones, can be brutal to you as adult with relationships, jobs and spending.
II. Sensual Pictures
“Sexting” as it is called is where teenagers
take inappropriate pictures on their cell phones and then send them to another
cell phone. To many of you this may seem silly and trivial. But to 45% of
teenagers this is real. This is of course pornography. Also, once these
pictures are sent, there is no controlling how many others will see. This issue
is not just important to preachers and parents, but even the legal system is
taking a stand. In LaCrosse, Wisconsin a 17 year old boy was charged with possessing child pornography because he had nude pictures of his girlfriend on
his phone. In Utah, a 16 year old was charged with a felony for sending
inappropriate pictures of himself to his girlfriend, and in Daphne, Alabama two
teenage girls were charged for sending pictures of themselves to boys. This is
a serious subject. Be careful what you record and what pictures you take with
your phone. Remember, once you send that picture you cannot get it back and you
can’t control where it goes next.
III. Sinful Music
Most of the modern cell phones come equipped with Itunes or MP3 players. With some adults being technologically challenged, it is becoming
easier and easier to hide wicked music. Cell phones can download the music,
store the music, and play the music. It is a portable music shop. As
Christians, we must be very careful what we allow to enter our ears. Don’t
download worldly music on your phone. Everyone knows there is not any good music
promoted by the world. If you must have music on your phone upload your own
good gospel music. Watch your ring tones. Many times good
Christians will excuse rock music because it is being played as a ring tone.
Rock music is rock music. Whether it is a clip or the whole song, it is either
right or wrong.
IV. Senseless Addiction
I must say, there are times that even I fall into this danger. I have too often found myself doing the "Where's my phone" dance. Recently on vacation, I took an entire day and timed how long I could go without looking at my phone. I didn't check to see how many likes I had, who tweeted me, or what the score was. For the entire day, I spent time focusing on having fun, spending time with my wife and enjoying Hawaii. It was great.
Be careful that you don't become addicted to your phone. As silly as that sounds, take a moment to think about it. Do you check it every few minutes? Do you jump to it when it beeps? Who is in control of your relationship with your phone?
V. Secret Conversations
This is probably the greatest danger
among our Independent Fundamental Baptist teenagers. Your preacher and your
parents have rules for dating. You disagree with their rules. You have a
special someone and you want to talk to them. Knowing your parents won’t let
you use the house phone to call them, you sneak outside or up to your room and
talk on your cell phone. In fact, with texting you don’t even have to talk. So,
you are fueling an improper relationship that is not pastor approved, parent
approved or God approved and you say and text things on the phone that you
would be embarrassed to say in person. The devil is using this device to
destroy your emotions, your obedience, your purity, and your spirituality. Be
careful about calling late at night. If you can’t talk to someone with your
parents in the room, you probably shouldn’t be talking to them. Watch your text
messages. Once you send that message, you can never get it back and you cannot
control who sees it. Don't delete your messages. Live a life so that if Mom or Dad want to view your messages, they can. Live above reproach.
Cell phones are wonderful, powerful, and
time saving devices. Just as we can use them for good things, the Devil can use
them for sinful things. You must be aware and pay attention to the “wiles” of
the Devil. Your phone can be used to help, but it can also be used to hurt. Be
aware of the dangers and do right even with your cell phone.
#fuel
