Screens & Souls Week 2: Curses Message Summary: Every researcher knows that something has drastically changed in our digital age. Rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide have spiked like never before. What factors best explain the sad data? Internet usage and social media. Yet screens can do the same type of damage on our souls as they do our minds, robbing us of true fellowship and weakening our minds so they are unable to meditate on the deep truths of God’s Word. This message warns us to think critically about the devices we hold in our hands. ✦ Reflecting on the Dark Sideof Screens.... ✦ Social Media : ❖ Philippians 2:3, 5 — Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves... Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. ✦ Pornography : ❖ Mark 5:29-30 — If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell. ✦ Predators : ❖ Luke 10:30 — A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ✦ Time Spent : ❖ Philippians 4:12 — I have found the secret of being content in every and any situation. ✦ The Dark Side of Screens Reflects the Sinful Heart ... ❖ Mark 7:14-23 — “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can de fi le them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this... “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? ... What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come — sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” ❖ Jesus’ heart was pierced for that. Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — What aspects of worship help bring peace to you about the curses which can plague us through our use of screens? GROUP — Discuss with your friends or in your life groups curses you have found through the misuse of screens. GROW — In your devotional life this week, consider reviewing the passages presented in the notes today and dedicate an extra time in prayer asking the Lord to deliver you from the dark side of our screens. GIVE — An antidote to the distraction of screens is to fully engage with another person in good conversation and moments of companionship. Who might you intentionally offer this to this week? GO — As we heard in our previous message, another great antidote to the misuse of screens is a godly use. To whom might you send gospel hope to through your screen this week? Set a time and go for it! Homework: Proverbs 4-5 (Hashtags: technology, temptation, self-control)