“In 2025, the average person worldwide [spent] 6 hours and 45 minutes staring at screens every single day — almost half of all waking hours.” For Americans, 3 hours of that time were spent watching TV and videos and 1.5 hours were spent on social media. We would do well to heed the wisdom of Author Annie Dillard who reminds us that, “How we spend our days… is how we spend our lives.” Her observation is not just poetic, it’s diagnostic.
We just launched a sermon series entitled Feedback Loop, inviting us to live wisely in an age of foolishness.
Paul cautioned the church at Ephesus, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:15-17). Paul presses a question: are we living intentionally, or are we being swept along? Because if we’re not choosing wisdom, we are being shaped by the evil patterns of our culture.
In Romans, Paul sounds a similar warning, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” (Rms 12:2a). We are all formed by something. The question is not if, but by what? Paul says: will you be conformed by this world or transformed by the Christ?
If we are honest, much of our formation today is happening through our screens. The envy, greed, anxiety, loneliness, division, and distortion of truth are not bugs in the system of our age. They are the system: perfectly designed to achieve the output we get. They are the natural result of systems designed to capture our attention and keep us coming back. On Instagram and Tiktok, we foster envy and discontent. On YouTube and Netflix, we numb ourselves. On Amazon and Etsy we feed desire and comfort, greed and sloth. On online games, we choose escape over faithful living. On X and Reddit, FoxNews and MSNBC, we don’t just stay informed, we are being formed by outrage and fear. On Tinder and Bumble, we aren’t just connecting, we can reduce people from image-bearers into options. On Draft Kings and Fan Duel, we don’t just risk, we chase the high of a win and a quick dollar. Not always, but enough that we ought to be alert.
No screen is neutral. Every swipe shapes us. Every click forms us. Every buzz commands our attention.
So, hear Paul again, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). Paul warns us not just because time is short… but because we are being shaped. We’re not just clicking, we’re becoming.
What if we stepped out of the noise for a moment? What if we created space to hear God’s voice more clearly?
Do you want to swim against the cultural tide of this world? Do you want to experience Christ’s freedom from your screen? We would love to have you join us for a Digital Fast. This isn’t about legalism, it’s about freedom. It’s not about rejecting technology altogether, it’s about refusing to be ruled by it. It’s about rediscovering unhurried time with God, a deeper availability for people, and a soul unhindered by the technological ties of our age. For more information, you can sign up at https://newlifetucson.com/digitalfast/.
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Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash