Breaking Free

Have you ever stopped to think about why it’s so hard to put your phone down? Why do we feel the need to check social media, respond to notifications, or scroll endlessly?

It’s more than just habit—it’s a deeper desire for something that technology promises but never fully delivers. We want to be limitless.

And that desire? It goes all the way back to the beginning.

The Oldest Temptation in a Digital Age
In Genesis 3, when the serpent tempted Eve, the offer was simple: "You will be like God." That promise sounded good then, and it still sounds good today.

Even if we don’t say it out loud, we often live as if we want to be like God. We don’t want limitations. We want to be in control.

Technology fuels that desire. It gives us instant knowledge, unlimited access, and the ability to control so much with just a tap. But is it actually making us better?

How Technology Imitates the Attributes of God
Let’s break this down. What do we know about God? He is:

1. All-Knowing (Omniscient)
2. All-Present (Omnipresent)
3. All-Powerful (Omnipotent)

Now, think about how technology attempts to make us like that:

1. The Illusion of Being All-Knowing
We can Google anything in seconds. We carry around infinite knowledge in our pockets.

Heard a song in a store? Just ask Siri.

• Don’t remember a math formula? No problem—there’s an app for that.
• Need an answer to anything? Just search.
• It’s convenient. But it’s also overwhelming.

We are bombarded with endless news, opinions, and updates about people we barely know. Social media floods us with vacation pictures, promotions, and perfect snapshots of other people's lives. We scroll through tragedies, crimes, and disasters from around the world.

And it’s exhausting.

Psychologists call it information overload. Studies show it leads to:

• Increased stress and anxiety
• Impaired decision-making
• Decreased empathy (we see so much suffering that we stop feeling deeply)

Here’s the real question: Are we supposed to know everything?

Just because we can access infinite knowledge doesn’t mean it’s good for us.

2. The Illusion of Being All-Present
Technology makes it possible to be everywhere at once—or at least, it feels that way.

We can:

• FaceTime people across the world.
• Attend endless Zoom meetings.
• Scroll through everyone’s vacations, parties, and milestones in real time.

But have you noticed that, despite being more connected than ever, we are lonelier than ever?

There’s something about real, physical presence that technology can’t replace. When you’ve spent all day on Zoom, do you feel energized or exhausted? Why does texting back and forth sometimes feel more draining than just having a real conversation?

The reality is, we weren’t made for digital connection alone. We were made for face-to-face relationships, for real-life community.

Instead, we accumulate hundreds of digital connections but struggle to maintain deep, meaningful friendships.

3. The Illusion of Being All-Powerful
Technology has made us feel unstoppable.

• We can order anything online and have it in hours.
• We can create art, music, and even deepfake videos using AI.
• We can make our opinions go viral and reach millions.

But what happens when we chase easy and instant everything?

A Christian thinker, Andy Crouch, calls this the pursuit of "easy everywhere." We want:

• No obstacles.
• No waiting.
• No effort.

Sounds great, right?

But in reality, when we eliminate effort, we also eliminate growth.

• GPS helps us navigate, but we’ve lost the ability to read maps.
• Texting is quick, but it strips away tone and emotional connection.
• Streaming means we can binge-watch shows endlessly, but it replaces time spent with family or meaningful activities.

Convenience always has a cost.

The Solution? A Digital Fast
So what do we do? Do we throw away our devices and become Amish? No.

The goal isn’t to reject technology—it’s to put it in its proper place.

That’s why fasting from technology is so powerful.

Author Richard Foster explains, "More than any other discipline, fasting reveals what controls us."

When we step away from constant scrolling, streaming, and notifications, we see what’s been controlling us. We create space for what matters most.

How to Start a Digital Fast
A digital fast doesn’t mean you have to throw your phone in the ocean. It means setting limits so technology serves you, not the other way around. Here’s how:

1. Pick a time frame. (One day? A weekend? A week?)
2. Decide what you’ll fast from. (Social media? Video games? TV? All screens?)
3. Replace it with something better. (Real conversations? Reading? Prayer?)
4. Notice what happens. (How does it feel? What do you miss? What don’t you miss?)
5. Set long-term boundaries. (After your fast, create new healthy tech habits.)

Practical Tips for Reclaiming Control Over Technology
Even after a fast, technology can creep back into an unhealthy place in our lives. Here are some practical ways to keep it in check:

• Turn off unnecessary notifications: You don’t need a constant flood of alerts.
• Establish screen-free times: No phones at dinner. No scrolling first thing in the morning.
• Use apps that limit screen time: Set boundaries on how long you can use certain apps.
• Prioritize real-life connections: Choose face-to-face interactions over digital ones whenever possible.
• Create tech-free zones: Keep screens out of the bedroom or other sacred spaces in your home.

Final Thought: You Were Made for More
Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Are you living life to the full? Or are you distracted, anxious, and exhausted?

Technology promises us limitless power, knowledge, and presence. But you were never meant to carry that weight.

So take a step back. Reclaim your time. Reclaim your mind. Reclaim the life God intended for you.