Question:
I question whether the Internet is a proper medium for displaying the truths of the Word of God. I hear about the pollution out there, the foul language, and rotten entertainments—aren’t we supposed to keep separate from all such? Your comments would be appreciated.
Answer:
No one will dispute that much on the internet is worse than worthless—polluted, corrupt, rotten—part of this world that is passing away. However, there is much that is instructive, useful, and factual. Schools, medical institutions, universities, churches, science foundations, corporations and many others, are using the Internet to make information readily available. Our church has chosen the web as another means to make our material available to those who seek.
Is it right? What should be the Christian’s attitude? Jesus told His disciples to be “in the world” but not “of the world.” Yes, the world wide web has foul language. But so has the printed page; so has almost anything that is circulated today. God gave man the capability to speak, and he has been uttering blasphemous things from the time he learned to articulate. Christ used this same medium to teach the word of God.
Man has abused and will continue to abuse this privilege (as long as he is allowed to), whether by speech, by printed words, or electronically, i.e., the computer or the www.
Were we to condemn the use of the internet and the web, then why not the spoken and printed word as well? And looking to ourselves, haven’t we all been guilty of saying things we should not have said? As James says, the tongue is a terrible little organ if not bridled (James 3:1-7). But let it be brought under control, and what a blessing it is, for edification, not tearing down.
Of itself the internet is neither good nor bad. The real issue is what we as individuals choose to publish or to look at or read. Is it to edify or degrade? Is it of God or is it of Babel?
We can use our tongue to speak against God or bless Him, for honor or dishonor. We can use the web to speak against God or bless Him, for honor or dishonor. If we use it to honor God, will not God be pleased and honor us with blessing? And if we do it from a sense of obligation and thankfulness to God, will we not be honoring Him whom we worship and whom we depend upon for our every breath?
It seems that God is opening another means of communication; another means of making His voice heard in the earth, before the Day arrives when He will “roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth will shake: but the LORD will be a shelter for his people, and the strength of the children of Israel” (Joel 3:16). We look forward to that Day.