Stepping Stones: Hold The Press!

Transformational Tip

The computer and the World Wide Web provide phenomenal opportunities... connecting with long lost friends, childhood bosom buddies, old teammates, family on the other side of the country or ocean, people from church, and friends from mission trips is now so easy and cheap. This has warmed so many hearts and so much relational, missional, and transformational good has resulted.

But like dynamite, computers and WWW can be used for tremendous good or… tremendous evil. As a psychiatrist, whether in the ER or in my outpatient office, or running a rehab program, I hear frequently how the internet (email, chat rooms, My Space, FaceBook, Classmates, etc) has contributed to infidelity and the devastating destruction of relationships and families.

Inappropriate communication with the opposite sex, via the Internet, happens easily because of our fast pace. We have no time to calmly and with depth, share with our partners during days. Internet communication also gives us unparalleled confidence to speak freely, as there is no real contact with the other person. We can experiment, re-create ourself, mislead, not have to deal with the hard parts of real relationships.

Before you know it you are writing things you should never write…a false sense of privacy as you delusionally assume that what you write will stay a secret between you and the receiver. You have probably heard the advice that you should not type anything anywhere that you would’t want published in your church bulletin… or, you shouldn’t say anything to anyone of the opposite sex that you would not want your spouse to hear.

Unfortunately, even though Internet affairs have exploded, other secret, old-fashioned inappropriate communication falls into the same danger zone.

Today, give some thought to your use of the internet and other perceived “secret” forms of communication. You know it is writing or actions that you should stop because you are secretive or sly about them. If you have been writing things you should not, then stop and say “hold the press”. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on how to avoid falling into relationship cyber-traps.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I ask and pray that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit to strengthen me. Teach me, Father, to remain faithful and true to those I love. Let not the fear of being caught be the deterrent, rather let it be the pain and suffering my indiscretions may create for You, my partner…and my heart, and brain. Above all, let it be the fear of separation from You and my spiritual harm that directs me to the right path. I pray in the name of the one You sent to dwell in my heart, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!

The Truth
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.
Ephesians 3:16-17
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:2,5