Jan 6, 2022
This article written by Rev. John Witvoet was published in the January/February 2020 edition of “Insight Into” and is posted here with the author’s permission.
Friends, we live in an uncertain, fast-changing world, but what hasn’t changed is what is found in God’s Word as admonition and instruction. This is also true relating to our use of modern media and our devices. The Word of God is never outdated, not even in this postmodern era. “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
I think it can be safely said that much of the time when we are using our “devices,” we are treading on, or dangerously close to, enemy territory. The modern media has become the modern means the devil uses to subtly trap and ambush, or blatantly bombard both the wary and careless user alike. Although the means the devil uses are new, his devices are not, as we can see from God’s eternal Word. Nearly 2,000 years ago the Apostle Paul admonished the church in the progressive city of Ephesus to “put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11-12). We read in Acts 19 that many of them from that congregation that used the media of the day (books) came together and burned those that were evil. Since then the devil has become all the more crafty and men all the more corrupt. In these modern times we can no longer simply destroy and be rid of all the means that the devil uses to infiltrate our eyes, ears, minds, and ultimately our hearts and souls.
We live in a world inundated by modern digital media! Infinite pieces of data abound, all accessible to us by over three million apps and nearly two billion websites. This does not even include digital personal files or proprietary business systems. We have become so dependent on modern media and modern digital technology to operate our businesses, to keep us efficient in our work, and for record keeping. It is an integral part of all of our modern lives. We use it in our studying, buying, selling, communicating, and in nearly every aspect of our lives. It has become impossible to function in the modern world without the use of this “new media.”
Satan’s tactics
Paul also writes of the devil’s tactics to the Corinthians, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11); in other words, his wide range of subtle and blatant attacks. And are these things not written in God’s Word for our “admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are to come” (1 Corinthians 10:11)?
First, what a brazen onslaught he wages against us! Every day, nearly at every moment, a barrage of attacks comes at us by way of the media that has become so much a part of all of our lives. It need not be proven that a vast majority of the content that comes to us every day by these means is blatantly wicked and contrary to God’s Word. It is feared that much soul-destroying content is being searched out or “stumbled across” by many of us on pornographic and lewd sites, but far more prevalent, and maybe equally as dangerous, is the endless searching and filling our minds with thousands of meaningless pieces of information. Even when it is not movies, videos, music videos, gaming and the like, surfing digital media has become a modern form of entertainment. With an endless supply, our precious time is not only wasted, but we have become addicted to consuming information.
Secondly, and more subtly, with the greater influx of modern media, printed and audible forms of media are being replaced. Reading and listening are becoming more and more difficult for the modern generation. We are constantly bombarded by texts, tweets, notifications, ads, Facebook posts, emails, and more. Our brains get hooked on all this stimulating content. We crave more and more new information, and it can be difficult to pay attention to any one thing for very long. On the other side, it also makes it difficult to hold anyone’s attention for very long. A recent study found that the average human attention span has fallen from 12 seconds in 2000 (or around the time smartphones hit the scene) to eight seconds today. In comparison, scientists believe that the goldfish has an attention span of nine seconds.
What does this mean for us? The devil cannot destroy God’s Word, but it becomes evident that this subtle undermining by the devil is a tactic whereby he seeks to keep us from reading and concentrating on even a short portion of God’s Word. Is it not to be feared that this is affecting our ability to sit in church and listen with concentration and participation for an hour-and-a-half worship service? Satan not only seeks to undermine the stronghold of God’s Word itself, but also the means of grace by destroying our concentration in God’s house, if by nothing else than keeping us up late on our devices the night before. Not to mention using it unceasingly on the Lord’s Day.
Nothing new under the sun
No, there is nothing new under the sun; the devil’s modern device is to use our devices! Let me illustrate this further. Psalm 37:7 speaks of “the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” The original uses a word that means “a plan, or witty invention, usually evil, sometimes good, or a wicked or mischievous device or plot.”
How about what the Lord says of mankind in Ecclesiastes 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” Again, let’s consider the meaning of the original word, only found in two places in Scripture, which is “any contrivance, art, device, or invention; a warlike machine or engine, or mental plot to break down a stronghold.”
Therefore, it makes sense that the other place we find this word used is to describe King Uzziah’s invention in 2 Chronicles 26:15, “And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal.” These were machines that could hurl many arrows or stones at once, or continuously in a thick barrage against a stronghold or enemy.
The application that can be made to our modern time is clear. Do these not coincide with the modern day invention of both computer hardware and software? What a barrage of deadly arrows and crushing stones can come at us with every click of a mouse or every swipe or tap of a screen! Not only has the devil gained such an advantage by this new technology to captivate and destroy our never-dying souls, but we have become victims of our own inventions! We are destroying ourselves, and the devil gladly helps us along both boldly and subtly. For he, too, has become much wiser after 6,000 years! Is this not seen today? How the devil seeks to destroy the stronghold of the Lord’s institution of marriage! Thousands of divorces are related directly to the misuse of the Internet, viewing lewd content, pursuing online relationships, social media connections, and so on. The misuse of modern media is destroying personal lives, marriages, families, and ultimately souls.
“The whole armour of God”
Friends, God’s Word has not changed, neither has His admonition and instruction. We are commanded to “put on the whole armour of God.” In the first place, this must be spiritual armour, because we have no might against this powerful enemy and his spiritual wickedness. But also practically we must take up the shield to protect ourselves and our loved ones in this unceasing conflict. We cannot pray for keeping if we do not implement the available filters and means to protect ourselves while using all of our devices. Furthermore, let necessity alone dictate the use!
Finally, let us realize that the great danger lies in the sinful and susceptible nature that we all possess. The devil has a great advantage in this war since he has very willing accomplices in us! What we need above all is a hatred for sin and a love for the Lord and His law. Oh, that we may be granted the fear of the Lord in our heart and receive grace for our soul! Pray the Lord to supply this by His Word and Spirit! Even then, the Lord must keep it in exercise, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). A true, Spirit-wrought conversion is by far the best filter; a true prayer is the best defense; and the true and mighty Saviour is the only Stronghold that will stand, not only in our modern times from the attacks of a defeated but angry devil, but ultimately from the eternal wrath of a righteous, all-knowing, and sin-punishing God. No, there is nothing new under the sun, also in the way the Lord teaches and gives His people all these things.
Nov 11, 2021
The book titled “The Unfailing Faithfulness of God” was written and published to commemorate the church’s 150th anniversary in 2020. This book is now also available electronically as a PDF that can be downloaded for reading on computers or mobile devices.
Download the book.
Download the Erratum for the book; last updated on 3/15/2024.
Dec 12, 2019
“How can we create more openness in our families when it comes to discussing our Internet activities and our use of media time? What agreements can we make with each other to put this into practice?” These are just two of the many discussion questions we read in the book, A Pilgrim in Media Land. This book, authored by Mr. Steef de Bruijn and Mrs. Henrieke Hoogendijk-van Dam, is originally written in the Dutch language as an initiative of the Driestar Christian University and the Erdee Media Group. The Modern Media Committee from the Lethbridge NRC has, with the permission of the authors, translated and published this book to be used in our denomination. We are thankful for this effort.
Much has been spoken and written already about modern media. In our Reformed circles we have always been very reluctant and cautious to use modern media like the Internet. We realize, however, that we cannot stop this development anymore, not even in our circles. Almost all of our families have an Internet connection to be used as a resource in schools and business life. Consequently, therein lies the danger that it gets used too much and in the wrong way. Therefore, this book is intended to be a guide for the proper use of modern media and to warn against the misuse of it. The title is well chosen as it clearly implies that we are in media land. There are many available devices which have good uses; nevertheless, there undoubtedly are also many traps and dangers.
Therefore, the authors take us by the hand in our journey through modern media land. They do that in a very appealing way. In eight chapters they provide a lot of information about many topics related to modern media. Repeatedly, they do this using attitude keywords such as temperance, consistency, reflection, and faithfulness. In a tender but honest way, they do not shy away from the practical dangers of appealing and alluring sins which have such devastating consequences. Therefore, each chapter starts with a real-life scenarios which can easily be recognized by parents and educators in raising our children and youth.
At the end of each chapter are questions for discussions. The vocabulary used by the authors should not keep us from reading this book because it is “to the point” and easy to follow. Most importantly, time and again we read the question, “What does the Bible say?” Based on specific Bible texts, the authors want to guide us in an honest and biblical way through media land and point us to a proper lifestyle. They realize that not everything is said when only warnings are given. “A Christian is characterized by watchfulness and resilience. Therefore, it is not enough only to point young people to the dangers of the web. It is important that we also demonstrate how to use modern media in a positive way. In this way, we can demonstrate to teenagers how we live as a Christian in a digital world.”
We were pleased to read that the authors realize that even with having everything in place to warn, inform, and protect, we still need heart-renewing grace. The hope for our day and age, for our youth and families, lies not in man, not in filters, but in the Lord who continues to gather His people until the last one has been added to His kingdom. Daniel and his friends also lived in the world but by grace did not want to be of the world. We read that Daniel had an inner room where he sought strength in God. He realized, like Jehosaphat, that in us there is no strength “against this great company,” but his eyes were upon the Lord. Daniel also knew that in order to fight this battle we have to use the means available to us. We do not battle against flesh and blood but against many spiritual enemies.
Finally, the authors see this book as “a small introduction to media attitudes and media wisdom.” We wholeheartedly agree with their wish that “our children see us living the life of a true pilgrim” and receive the desire to become such a true pilgrim themselves. Therefore, we cannot endorse the use of social media, and encourage all to stay away from social media such as Instagram and Snapshot because of the many dangers and waste of time associated with the use of social media.
Yet, we would like to see this book in the hands of our families and office bearers to build awareness. May the Lord use it to open many eyes for the manifold dangers inherent to the modern media. By nature, our own hearts are so connected to these dangers that we need the grace that is found in Him who still has a willing people in the day of His power. Such people may delight in God’s commandments. Do we recognize ourselves as being one of these people?
The book is available from local modern media committees or church book rooms.
—The Synodical Modern Media Committee
Rev. E. Hakvoort, Chairman
Elder John Van Zweden, Secretary
Jan 1, 2018
From the Synodical Modern Media Committee and also published in the January/February 2018 edition of “Insight Into“.
Epidemic
A rising epidemic of our times is (online) video gaming. It is a source of mindless entertainment that results in addiction, social isolation, violence, sexual fantasies, and physical harm. This article shows how these activities are contradictory to God’s Word.
Online gaming is mindless entertainment used by the devil to keep us busy, so we have less or no time to search God’s Word for matters crucial for our eternal welfare. A minister once said that the word “BUSY” stood
for “Being Under Satan’s Yoke.”
Boredom
Boredom is a common starting point for all kinds of wickedness such as gaming. We know what happened when David walked in boredom upon the roof of his palace, don’t we? He fell from one sin to another! Well, that’s what often happens when we in boredom use our precious time for (online) video gaming, too.
Most will acknowledge the fact that there is no benefit to gaming, but so many precious hours are spent behind a computer or gaming console. What benefit is there to playing games? Why are we wasting the short amount of time we have on earth? For, “man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away” (Psalm 144:4). We all have but one soul for eternity. Instead of filling long hours with mindless entertainment, we should search the Holy Scriptures and beg for that one thing needful. Paul says in Ephesians 5:15-16, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” While we mindlessly play games or watch videos, we are not redeeming our time.
Addiction
A growing concern with online gaming is addiction. While many gamers manage to balance their online lives with work, school, friends, family, and church, there are more and more that simply “live for the game.” One young man admitted freely that video games were at one time a severe addiction. He was a student in honours and AP classes but became addicted to online gaming. His grades dropped significantly, he lost most of his friends, and he rarely spoke to his parents. Eventually, his parents recognized his addiction and found help. However, looking back, he states that he was just like a drug addict, living solely for the excitement of playing his games. Alarmingly, recent studies have found that 10% to 15% of gamers fit the criteria the World Health Organization has set for addiction.1 This issue has become so large that there are digital detox or digital retreat centres that allow individuals to overcome their addiction to gaming and technology in general. In China, they recently found gamers who daily spend up to 17 hours online, without stopping for washroom breaks. Shockingly, in China alone, 24 million people are believed to be addicted to the Internet.2 We may start gaming with innocent intentions and only play games with “safe” content and for short periods of time, but that is not where it usually ends. Due to our sinful nature, we will slowly allow for more questionable content and begin playing longer and longer. Soon the games we are playing are like those described later in this article and we become addicted to gaming as the young man described above. Satan is very patient and he is very willing to give us all the time we need, as long as we continue to corrupt ourselves in the vices of the world including gaming, and as long as we are not searching out God’s Word. Our time on earth is so short and so precious. Isaiah 55:6 clearly teaches us to “seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.”
Isolation
Closely associated with addiction is social isolation. One young man wrote that he became a social recluse. He avoided social situations because they gave him panic attacks, which only started after he began excessive gaming. He lost all his friends and the only contact he had with others was with gamers via the Internet.3
Violence
Many studies have found and continue to find a strong correlation between online gaming, video games, and violence. There are many video games where the intent is to go on a killing spree, killing as many innocent civilians or villains as possible. Is it really a wonder that we see violence in the real world? Children, teens, and even adults exposed to the violent graphics begin to accept that as the norm. While researching for this article, snapshots of the many games appeared. The blood and death depicted were vulgar and sure to make one nauseous. There are also games which allow for teaming with others online to increase your ability to kill more effectively or to get into further levels of the game. This is another example of where killing is the norm and makes killing or being killed a matter of no consequence. After all, if you “get killed,” you have multiple lives and you will get more if you obtain the next level. In 2011, 16-year-old Daniel Petric unleashed a flurry of shots on his mother and father after they confiscated his violent games. His mother died instantly and his father spent two weeks in a coma. Petric, who was sentenced to 23 years’ imprisonment, is now fighting violent gaming. He believes the video game producers are essentially putting weapons into the hands of innocent young ones.4 What truth there is in that statement. The commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13), not only applies to the physical act of murder so commonly found in our society today, but also applies to our thoughts. If measured in this light, it is clear how these games directly contradict the commandments of God and how those who play them willfully transgress this commandment for hours on end.
Sexism
Sexism and sexual violence, common themes in online gaming, are also clearly apparent in many games which portray women in a degrading manner to entertain the male characters. Hebrews 13:4 clearly reads, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
Harm
While the physical harm is less than the social, psychological, and spiritual harm, it is definitely a component of online gaming. Many gamers frequently get migraines because of the continual strain on their eyes. There are also new injuries being documented such as “gamers thumb,” which is a strain in the ligaments of the thumb due to excessive gaming. One of the largest health effects is sleep deprivation, where gamers become too caught up in the virtual world to think about reality. Also, the violence and constant motion in the games can cause nightmares and overstimulation. Eating irregularities and poor personal hygiene can also be found in serious gamers.5 Newer games on the market have been the cause of a growing number of relatively minor injuries, including broken bones and black eyes. Authorities were concerned when it became evident that there were individuals playing these games even while they were driving! Instances like this are a safety hazard to the general public and not only to the individual playing the game.6
Bible
When we look critically at online gaming, and especially in the light of God’s Word, we must honestly acknowledge that we should keep ourselves separate and avoid such temptations. Gaming is a slippery slope that is very difficult to stop once one enters, similar to other vices of the world such as drugs and alcohol. Gaming starts as an innocent activity with “safe” content and good intentions that one will only play good games. As discussed above, all gaming must be measured in light of God’s Word and whether this activity is wise use of our short time of grace. We must be as the people of Berea who “searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). If we examined our lives in accordance with the Scriptures, we would find that gaming would not be an acceptable way to spend our time, but rather that we should be searching the Scriptures for our eternal wellbeing. My dear friends, is that what you may be doing? Time is so short, and eternity is never-ending. That’s why we all need a Nathan in our life. When he came to David with the words “thou art the man” (2 Samuel 12), his heart broke under all his sins but also under the goodness of the Lord for such a wretch. He had spent his precious time in sin, but then there came a desire to spend his time in the service of the Lord. Don’t we see the same with Paul who then learned to ask, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). Is that already the choice of your heart?
1 CRC Health Group. (2016, September 19). Video Game Addiction.
2 Geary, B. (2016, September 21). Inside China’s ‘digital detox’ camps …
3 Skylar. (2016, September 21). A story of depression, friendship, addiction, isolation, and hope.
4 Zurowski, C. (2016, September 21). Daniel Petric …
5 Physical Consequences of Gaming Addiction. (2016, September 21).
6 Brooks, C. (2016, September 21). The ‘Pokémon Go’ Injuries Are Already Piling Up.
Sep 1, 2017
This article, the last in a 3-part series written by Dr. ir. S.M. de Bruin, was obtained from the Lethbridge Modern Media Committee with permission from the author and has also been published in the September/October 2017 edition of “Insight Into“.
Living as a stranger here below, journeying to a city that has foundations – and then, at the same time, on YouTube and Snapchat… Can the two go together?
The greatest walking event in the Netherlands will commence in one and a half months, when 50,000 people will walk in and around Nijmegen for four days to receive the Four Day March Cross. The exertion and perseverance of these walkers can be used as an example for us when we contemplate the baggage of Christian Pilgrims and their media usage. These walkers don’t only make sure they have the right shoes and light clothing, but they also very carefully pack their backpacks. As they add every bottle of drink and every roll of energy candy, they ask themselves if they really need it. They will avoid all excess baggage, because they feel that every 100 grams they don’t need acts only as ballast. Similarly, the runners in Hebrews 12:1 are urged to lay aside every weight that can hinder them. During their journey, these walkers or pilgrims also manage their time carefully and avoid everything that can divert them from their destinations. A Greek myth relates that Princess Atlanta lost a race because her competitor rolled three golden apples over the racetrack. She couldn’t resist the temptation and picked up the apples, thereby losing the competition.
Habituation or addiction
What is the practical meaning of this for a Christian in the 21st century? How can a father apply this image of the pilgrim to the upbringing of his teens? “Come on, Dad. You can’t walk with your head in the clouds the entire day, can you?” One of the malicious sides of today’s media is that they continuously demand our attention. This was already the case back in the days of the old-fashioned telephone, which penetrated into our conversations, disturbed the peace or interrupted our meals. Modern media devices don’t ring anymore, but the vibrating signal is quite sufficient to interrupt our concentration.
Why is this? In the past few years, we’ve come to know more about what takes place in the brain during the use of social media. Checking emails, messages, or WhatsApp becomes a habit or even an addiction, because of the regular interesting “rewards” perceived by getting these messages. These rewards cause the brain to produce dopamine, a “stimulating hormone”, which gives it a kick and stimulates the recipient to go on: to another film, another reply, reading another couple of messages. Another vibrating signal again: perhaps there is another interesting tidbit? It is precisely the unexpectedness and the pull of the unknown (just think of Snapchat) that make this effect so strong. Dopamine is a material in the brain that performs all sorts of functions, but one of its involvements is in addiction and the associated experience of pleasure. Brains can become so used to dopamine stimulants that we need more and more of them in order to feel “normal”.
In his book Ontketen je brein (Unleash your brain), Compernolle, a Flemish neuro-psychiatrist, describes how we become so accustomed to all these small, unpredictable rewards from our smartphones that we are no longer able to go offline. The deceitfulness of this is that we find it pleasurable. A second result is that these media continually disrupt us when we want to concentrate or rest or sleep. This disturbs important mental processes, such as reflection and archiving. Therefore, Compernolle advises us to go offline for an hour a couple of times per day, only do one task at a time and take regular breaks. This will improve our concentration, our willpower, our self-control and our creativity.
Christians must take this advice seriously. Young people – but also older ones – regularly complain that they have a hard time concentrating. Do we realize that the devices that constantly demand our attention are like heavy concrete bricks in the backpacks of pilgrims? That those hundreds of stimulations per day are the golden apples that roll over our racetracks? They look attractive and promising, but they exact a high price when they distract our attention during the sermon, during Bible reading or during our prayers. Here, only a radical choice is fitting, and parents have the important task of being the example: Go offline an hour before going to sleep, reserve time to “reflect” and time to think about and meditate on God’s Word. Do not read your Bible on an electronic device. Make sure that digital stimulants cannot disturb your Sabbath rest, by silencing your smartphone from Saturday evening to Monday morning. Avoid social networks that exist precisely because of surprise and stimulation (i.e., Snapchat) as much as possible. If your (home)work allows, turn off the sounds and signals of other networks (i.e., WhatsApp, Facebook, e-mail, etc.) to the extent possible and limit yourself to only answering these types of messages at fixed times. If someone really needs
you, they’ll phone you.
Vlogs
Among the many forms of media distraction lies a second danger that the pilgrim should greatly fear. In Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, we see how Christian continually met with diversions. When he, together with Faithful, passed the town of Vanity and could not bypass the fair, they put their fingers in their ears and looked upwards. Further on, when Christian and Hopeful passed the Enchanted Grounds, where sleep would be deadly, they kept each other awake by means of spiritual discourse and singing. In a previous article in this series, we have seen the excellent possibilities that these new media can offer. The other side of the coin is the secular influence of the “image culture” on our families. Games, videos, and vlogs on YouTube and series via NOP and Netflix slay their thousands. It is very important for parents to watch what their children are doing online and to familiarize themselves with sites like Facebook, Instagram, After School, ASKfm, Kik, and LIVE.LY to name only a few.
It often appears that parents themselves aren’t really that convinced of the associated dangers and, for the most part, are only concerned about the use of obscene language. The American preacher John Piper has an entirely different opinion about this. The article he wrote in 1995 about TV is still completely applicable to the image entertainment of the current era. “Turn off the TV. It is unimportant. And it is a lethal spot for your relaxation. The penetrating banalities, the sexual suggestions, and the God-denying values do not uplift your soul. It is mind numbing. It drives God away. It quenches prayer. It darkens the Bible. It reduces the value of your soul. It corrupts virtually everything. It is unnecessary for most of you and is spiritually lethal for all of you.” Later, he wrote that, although we can be more selective on the internet, “yet you can also search worse things on it, while only the Judge of heaven and earth beholds you.”
Whoever takes these words to heart, will say, together with the poet of Psalm 119: “I have refrained my feet from every evil way” (verse 101). Then, we will be happy with filters and other aids that keep this form of “recreation” at a distance; for ourselves, as well as for our children.
Filters
But filters – they don’t work at all, do they? Indeed, if someone wants to circumvent digital protection, they will most likely find a loophole. But those who know the deceitfulness of their own hearts and are afraid of it, actually feel the need for protection. These fathers and mothers will tell their children that, in the first place, they need the filter for themselves. Then, like Christian and Christiana, they will urge all their children to depart from the City of Destruction and join them on their pilgrimage.
In relation to this, we can also draw a valuable lesson from the Four-Day Race: not everyone can join, just like that. Someone can join up with the procession of walkers, go through the same difficulties, walk the same distance, and come into the same city along the same Via Gladiola. However, only those who have officially registered and can show their identity card will receive the Four-Day Cross.
The same holds true for the Christian pilgrim. Media education begins with conversion. The English evangelist Arthur Pink points out that we may not be satisfied with raising children to be “rich young rulers”, as “it will not profit us when we each try to form a good character and do that which will gain God’s approval, if our sins stand between Him and our souls. What good are shoes to us if we are lame? Or what good are pairs of glasses if we are blind? The matter of the forgiveness of our sins is fundamental, of vital importance. (…) At the hour of death, it comes down to this: Have our sins been blotted out by the blood of Christ?”
Dr. ir. S.M. de Bruijn
