Daniel 1212: You mentioned you are now in full-time evangelical ministry. One reason internet use really troubles me is how it very easily becomes a bad idol that distracts us from God. I even see this in church, our present church is pretty good about sticking to the Word, but like everyone else is tech-happy and talks about “going on the church app,” checking things out on our smart-phones, etc. I really wonder whether internet use, other than a necessary minimum, is actually good or proper for Christians. A lot of things seem to me to be extremely harmful. I sometimes wonder whether various Mennonite groups which ban cellphone use have it right.
I normatively would actually rather be outside giving the Word to the masses in the city, or on the sidewalk here and interacting with friendly people than on the Internet. And I do not even usually like phone calls in preference to the above. I feel like shooting one when it goes off during Bible study.
But the Lord has me locally (and it's Winter) and originally gave me a PC 10 years ago after I prayed and asked Him if it was His will to use it, and the Internet much needs Christians to refute the deception. So I can post here, and on Quora (copied to Twitter) and blogs,, by the grace of God. And the Internet is a tremendous resource for info.
However, it is like driving, and there are places you should not go. Keep away from porn and gambling (and games) and seek to use all for the Lord. My weakness, esp when tired and I do not feel i can do more writing (esp/ with stiff arthritic fingers) is science fiction movies, which I sometimes watch though that is a poor or often wrong choice for edification if at all.
So a PC and the Internet are tools, which we can used with the intent of serving God and things related to that and edification. I have hardly even used 3rd party anti-virus software and only have had 2 virus infections in all the years of heavy use, thanks be to God, vut I do the mvps host file which will prevent access to a lot of had sites. I edit it to allow some shopping sites to work.
But when the Internet becomes more than just something you use for work or an occasional phone call, and become a constant alternative to face to face conversing, and activities, or worse, a channel for vulgarity, profanity, porn and liberal propaganda, etc. then maybe they should be stoned by all they caused to be ignored or hurt. At dawn.