Tech & Faith – How Technology Affects Your First Love

By Mark Naito

How can technology possibly affect your first love — your relationship with God? Here is one way that it can: using screen-based (smart TV, tablet, screen in your car, and smartphone) tech instead of physical items. For example, a study from Harvard has proven that using paper and pen over a computer yields better results. Why? Because you can process the information versus simply documenting what you hear.

Also, “Psychology Today” states that holding a book leads to a greater comprehension of the information being read. To tie all this together, top tech titans like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs sent their kids to a school called Waldorf School. (Note, we are not recommending sending your kids to this school; only referencing studies in its parent policy guide that pertain to being intentional with technology.)

In the school’s 2024 policy manual for parents, it states that parents should not allow any tech (including TV) with their kids so that it allows for optimal learning. A direct quote from the handbook reads, “The young child’s ability to picture, to envision and see inwardly is crucial to the development of creativity. This delicate faculty is overwhelmed and eventually crushed by the constant bombardment of media images. Chief among them is television. In the process, the child is also taught a passive relationship to the world (outer stimulation and inner emptiness) that is very similar to that of drug or alcohol addiction.”

Also, studies in “Psychology Today” state, “Research suggests that comprehension is six to eight times better with physical books than with e-readers (Altamura, L., Vargas, C., & Salmerón, L., 2023).”

Does this only pertain to kids? No. In fact, my organization, Navigating Tech Family, did a local Treasure Valley study at a mental health event with adults (not any kids), including clinical people like therapists and everyday people like grandparents, parents, etc. What we found are the following tech addictive qualities.

Sixty seven percent of surveyed people noticed when using tech:

• An urge to see if there is something new in their alerts, favorite app, or in general
• Something pops up in their feed that they were just talking about, to someone about, or thinking about

They struggle with:

• 5 in 10 people delete certain apps and then reinstall them
• 33% of others have noticed they feel drained, mad, frustrated, or other negative emotions after getting off their tech device
• Sometimes there is a thought that they are missing out on something (FOMO)

How does this all apply to our relationship with the Lord? In the New International Version of the Bible, it says in I Peter 2:1-3, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted the Lord is good.”

With tech, fake news spreads six times faster than actual news. So if you want to deepen your intimacy with God, try fasting or taking a break from all screens (including TV) for a couple of weeks and see how it all changes. If you are struggling with this, one therapist said it best: “Let’s say you don’t see any change. Then you’re back to where you started and nothing was harmed by taking the break.”

In the New Century Version Bible, it says in Hebrews 12:1-3: “We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the one who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.”

And this is why I love the physical Bible. Not only is it filled with wisdom for every generation, but it is also a great resource to go back to with notes, thoughts, and things God is doing in your life. Also, it is something you can pass down as a legacy to the next generation. Nothing can ever take that away — not even a server that gets wiped out for some reason.

What are some practical ways you can increase your quality time with the Lord? Take some baby steps, such as the following:

1) One-on-one time with God – Instead of using your smartphone for time with the Lord, put it down and pick up your physical Bible and journal. In fact, put the phone away where you cannot hear it.

2) Family devotions – Have a tech-free zone where you do your devotions together – with no exception.

3) Husband and wife devotions – No screens in the area where you are spending time with the Lord. TVs included need to be off without images or even worship music. Make sure the others know you are doing this and to hold off any communication, unless it’s a true emergency, until a communicated time frame.

4) Small groups or church services – Leave your smartphone and any tech device in the car. If you have kids and need to be notified about something when you’re at church or in a small group, ask to have someone come see you in person or work out another alternative.

Give these suggestions a month or so and see how your relationship with the Lord changes. Remember, technology has addictive qualities and it will be hard to apply these simple techniques. Unfortunately, many studies continue to show that technology is designed to be addictive and compulsive — even something as simple as email.

If you do not do physical journaling with paper and pen, we encourage you to do this while applying these techniques. It will give you an opportunity later to come back and assess what is working and what you might need to seek out expert help on or additional resources for. Also, it is a great way to document your progress and create new habits that will create lasting change.

Finally, never feel defeated. Everyone at some level is addicted to tech, and with some guidance and tools, you can pivot in more intentional ways that will increase your relationship with your first love, God, and all those around you. We are excited to hear about new ways God will move in your life as you apply these basic intentional tech techniques.

* References in article – Waldorf School Parent Handbook 2024-2025. https://hbr.org/2022/08/research-we-make-more-virtuous-choices-when-using-pen-and-paper. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/17/08/note-taking-low-tech-often-best. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/well-read/202402/the-case-for-paper-books-vs-e-readers.

Mark Nairos is passionate about helping people by seeking ‘root cause’, providing result-oriented solutions and good outcomes. His passion has always been to empower others to be educated to make their own informed decisions on what makes sense for themselves or their family. He started Navigating Tech Family toward that goal. He is a family man with a beautiful wife and kids and loves doing life with his family in the outdoors. He may be reached at [email protected].