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Dangers Of The Internet Introduction: Romans 1 describes the wickedness of the Roman society. One attribute Paul gave them with their ability to "be inventors of evil things." We live in a time of new inventions. We have cell phones, computers, microwave ovens, iPods, IPads, etc. Those inventions are not evil in themselves. Phones help people to communicate. When an uncle was killed in a car wreck, relatives had to go to a neighbor's house to call people that lived close to my parents. They could not call my parents directly. Computers are not bad as they help us to be more efficient. Used in medical industry, space flight, save lives and money. One particular invention we want to look at is the "internet" Often called the information highway, or the "world wide web" hence www. This should be understood as the internet connects computers throughout the world; military computers, universities, banks, businesses, hospitals, personal computers, IPads, and everything in between. I) Many Good Usages A) Social networks 1. Facebook with more than 600 million users; Myspace 2. Twitter which allows people to talk about single events in their day. 3. Blogs which allows people to write whatever is on their mind. B) Bible material 1. Sermon outlines, commentaries, books, etc. 2. Church directories, web pages, some churches use their email list to communicate with members, send out announcements. C) Educational uses-- Online colleges, universities, sources. D) Entertainment -- youtube, games, movies, tv shows, etc. E) Business -- ebay, retail stores have catalogs on internet, electronics, etc. There are many good uses of the internet but... II) Dangers of the Internet A) Internet addiction 1. There is something about computers that makes time go by faster. 2. Some get so wrapped up on the computer and internet that they procrastinate. We are to be good stewards of our time. 3. Children can get isolated from other children; adults can become withdrawn. 4. The principle of addiction is given in 1 Corinthians 6.12. Moderation in all things, even in that which is lawful. All things are lawful refers not to sin but those things in verse 13. a. The right thing to do is not always what you have the right to do. b. We should not become slaves of our TV, games, computers, phones, etc. 5. 1 Corinthians 15.33 evil company corrupts good morals. Who are you associating with? 6. Some steal from their employeers. About a year ago government works in one agency we caught playing games, viewing pornography. This is a major problems in offices as employees can watch almost anything on the internet. B) Networking sites 1. Marriages can be destroyed by infidelity due to connection made on the internet. 2. Someone is looking for you, emails for singles looking to "hookup" for one night, married wives looking for action clubs, etc. 3. Sometimes a person starts innocently looking up an old boy or girl friend and start flirting. Proverbs 5.15-18 is figurative language, vv. 19-20. C) Gossip and slander, Proverbs 11.3a 1. On the internet the whole world can read your words, see you pictures, and they will always be out there. 2. People have found it easy to spread rumors on the internet, Prov. 17.9; 18.8; 20.19 3. Girls are more likely than boys to use the internet to get back at someone. 4. People have committed suicide because of what others have said about them on the internet. a. Megan Meier was 13 years old. A 14 year old boy started communicating with her on the internet. In reality this was Lori Drew, a 49 year old mother, that lived nearby. She abruptly ended the relationship and told Megan the world would be better off without her. October 2006 Megan Meier hung herself. b. Tyler Clementi was a Rutgers student who committed suicide, Sept. 2010 due to a roommate putting video of Clementi having sex on the internet. 5. 20 percent of teens have engaged in cyberbullying behaviors, including posting mean or hurtful information or embarrassing pictures, spreading rumors, publicizing private communications, sending anonymous e-mails or cyberpranking someone. http://enough.org/inside.php?id=2UXKJWRY8 D) Internet predators 1. Young people are often gullible and lonely. They feel isolated and are looking for someone who understands them. 2. There are adults out there who "roam" the internet looking for young boys or girls to lure them to some place. a. Currently, there are over 644,865 Registered Sex Offenders in the United States; an estimated 10,000 have been lost in the system. http://enough.org/inside.php?id=2UXKJWRY8 b. Teens are willing to meet with strangers: 16 percent of teens considered meeting someone they've only talked to online and 8 percent have actually met someone they only knew online. http://enough.org/inside.php?id=2UXKJWRY8 3. How do they meet? On line games which is very popular with young people, chat rooms, face book, etc. 4. Parents -- keep up with what your young people are doing. Watch for warning signs. E) Spreading of false doctrine, 2 John 9-11 1, The internet makes it easy to publish a web site teaching some type of false doctrine. 2. Even among brethren there are some who send out emails teaching falsely. Matthew 7.15. F) Internet stealing, Eph. 4.28 1. The downloading of songs, literature, pictures which are protected by copyright laws. 2. Easy to violate copyright laws; most of the time you can either contact the author or company and see what they require. Conclusion: Ten Internet Commandments 1. You shall have no other gods before me, not even online 2. You shall not treat your computer as if it was a god 3. You shall shun those taking God's name in vain 4. Remember the Sabbath; get off the computer and do something else 5. Honor you father and mother by respecting their standards 6. You shall not destroy reputations or kill time 7. Do not commit adultery in your heart 8. Do not steal by downloading that which is copyright protected 9. Do not post false statements 10. Respect your brothers broadband. -- source unknown
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