It seems like everyone uses the internet these days. Many have an iPhone, are using Facebook, have an email address, or something else internet related. A new vocabulary reflects some internet usage such as "unfriend," "post," "like," "unlike," etc. The internet is a powerful tool that was unknown in Bible times. While technology changes, man himself has not really changed. "That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun" (Eccl. 1:9). Like any technology, there are multiple benefits of the internet. For example, people can use their iPhones to open Bible programs and follow along with a lesson or sermon. Bibles are on tablets and can be used to take notes and have an enhanced Bible study program at their fingertips where ever they are. Already, churches are using electronic Bibles and songbooks which will soon replace the traditional paper books in the pews.

While there are advantages in cyberspace, there are also dangers. The young are most vulnerable to these dangers. "Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness..." (2 Tim. 2:22).

Sin Seeks Anonymity

Internet technology can change man from being a sociable creature to a loaner. Children no longer play outside, but become hermits in their rooms playing some internet game. Play has changed from an interaction with others to playing in cyberspace with others without personal contact. It is not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18). People need the personal contact of others like them. People alone can act much bolder without the restraining presence of others. Because of this anonymity, people let their guard down and feel freer to say or act without anything inhibiting their behavior.

Character can be defined as how we act when no one is watching. If you really want to know about your character, notice how you act when you think others cannot see you. The internet gives the feeling of anonymity, and ones actions on the internet displays our real character.

The National Science Foundation posted an article entitled "Recognizing a Cyberbully" at http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=122271. The article discusses children who are victims of internet attacks. "In fact, 'few youth who reported being a target in Internet aggression reported knowing the harasser in person,' writes Michele Ybarra, cyberbullying researcher and president of Internet Solutions for Kids, Inc. and her coauthor Kimberly Mitchell in a 2004 study that revealed 69 percent of victims did not know their harasser in person."

It continues discussing cyberbullying taking place among adults as well. "Cyberbullying is not only associated with children and adolescents. The Cyberbullying Research Center website run by Justin Patchin, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, and Sameer Hinduja, an associate professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University, claims to receive more inquiries from adults than teens."

Sin seeking anonymity is nothing new. Children from every time period often long to get away from home so they can live the way they want without Momma and Daddy moderating their behavior. In the story of the Prodigal Son, the son sought anonymity so he could live his own life. "And He said, 'A certain man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me." And he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living'" (Luke 15:11-14). Why did he go to a distant country? He didn't want any friends or family to be a moderating influence on his life. He wanted anonymity so people couldn't recognize who was living such a profligate life.

Sin, and crimes in general, love the cover of darkness. The internet provides anonymity and temptation packaged together, a deadly combination. If others saw what we do when we feel anonymous, they would probably say they didn't really know us. The same can be said of the Lord. "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23).

Profanity and Vulgarity

Profanity is the use of words that society accepts as being obscene. Vulgarity is more crude and indecent in subject matter, whether profanity is used or not.

Profanity and vulgarity used to be unknown in polite company. Such crude speech was never allowed in the presence of children or women. Now, children and women talk like sailors. Anonymity not only plays a part in the rise of profanity and vulgarity, but it also provides the opportunity for a person to be who he really is without any moderating constraints. We must always live as if others were watching and being affected. God always sees and hears us. "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear" (Ephesians 4:29).

It is far too common for those claiming to be Christians to use such filthy speech that we may even have to "unfriend" some of our contacts, if for no other reason than to make a point. Profanity and vulgarity must not be tolerated among Christians. We are to be different from the world. "You are the salt of the earth; but if that salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men" (Matthew 5:13). Christians make the world palatable to God. Christians generally have a moderating effect on the profanity and vulgarity of the world, but if we don't use our influence to make the world a more palatable place, our influence is worthless. Others who know we are Christians will often say, "Pardon my French," or some such thing when they realize the coarseness of their language used in our presence. We have a positive influence on the world, and thereby have a preserving quality for the world.

Pornography

Pornographic images are so prolific in the multimedia world that at some time everyone will be confronted by it. The purveyors of porn are so cunning in their craft that they even include images when searching for biblical material. We sometimes cannot help what comes to our eyes, but we certainly can help what we do upon seeing it. We must have the attitude of godly men of old who worked through temptation. "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?" (Job 31:1). If we make a covenant with our eyes, we will not continue to look at what violates that covenant. If we take our Christianity seriously, we will follow the teachings of our King. "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). Purity starts from within and manifests itself outward.

- edited, Robison Street church of Christ bulletin, 4/29/12