1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 John 2:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1

Richard Townend

I'm Richard and I'm an iPhone-aholic.

There, I said it.

It's with no pride that I admit that I am one of the millions of smart phone users who have developed something of an addiction to their handset.

We tend to think of addiction as a word that relates to criminals and drugs users, and not respectable Christians.

Sadly not. If I am perfectly honest with you, since I got my iPhone in May, my personal Bible reading has suffered. Apparently, it has been more important to me to check my Facebook profile than to breathe in the life transforming world changing word of God. This is wrong. And I'm sorry.

The dictionary describes addiction as, 'to be enslaved to a habit.'

Not surprisingly, the Bible speaks strongly against this.

'"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything.' 1 Corinthians 6:12

The Bible also condemns our craze with materialism and having the most up to date gadgets.

'For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but is from the world.' 1 John 2:16

The problem is: we don't think there's a problem. We love our gadgets. We don't see it as an addiction. We kid ourselves that it's essential for youth ministry. Every young person has one. Every youth leader has one. Therefore, I must have one.

It might help us to ask ourselves two questions:

1) Is this getting in the way of my relationship with God?
2) Is this getting in the way of my relationship with others?

The answers for most of us will be yes. Social networking sites may be a good way for us to find out every detail about what our friends are doing, but how much do we actually know about how they are feeling? It has been said that the eyes are the window to the soul. Perhaps we need to spend time engaging in the lost art of conversation.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul makes this request to his readers:

'Imitate me as I imitate Christ.'

As followers of Christ today, we need to do the same. Young people need positive role models who aren't afraid to be counter-cultural. Young people need role models who are living like Jesus. And young people need role models who will talk to them, face to face, and not via a small black box. No 'App' in the world can be a substitute for that.

I have admitted that I have a problem with the amount I use my smart phone and I'd like to be different.

Put another way, I want to spend less time on my iPhone, and more time with God.

Will you join me?