Over the past year, I have presented various aspects of Virtual Integrity to a variety of secular and Christian audiences all over the country. One of the most thoughtful questions that I consistently get revolves around end user motivations online. The question is asked in different ways, but the essence is this: What motivates virtual integrity?
Some interested attendees have come up to me after a lecture and said something to the effect, "The seven habits of virtual integrity are great, but it all comes down to heart issues. People will do what they really want to do on the Internet."
A few have been even a little more critical, "Could these practices lead towards works-based righteousness?" As the son of a Lutheran pastor, "grace alone" and "faith alone" were more than just famous theological debating topics, so I take these questions very seriously.
Initially, I had a chapter on motivation in the book. The draft chapter title was: "Where's Does Motivation Come From? Faith and Hope in the Information Age." My editor strongly recommended removing it, which we did, since my writing mainly pointed to others who are far more articulate on this topic than I. There is an age old adage that goes something like, "If you can't say it better, quote it."
Still, motivation for integrity is a very important topic, one that is much more fundamental than my book. As a Christian, the issue deals with the wider area of destroying sin, not just cyber or online sin (or sins), and overcoming all types of temptation.
I certainly agree, that our surfing actions and habits all start with our heart's desire. I like to use the example of Tolkien's "ring of power" from Lord of the Rings. We all have a "precious." While we think we can control our precious for our advantage or satisfaction, that precious will ultimately control us.
So over the next few months, I want to point you towards a few excellent resources to help with this important question of online motivation or heart issues. There are a few authors and books that have truly changed my life and outlook on this topic. One of those books is: The Mortification of Sin by John Owen. I like the abridged version that was made easy to read by Richard Rushing (The Banner of Truth Trust, 2004). I have read this short book many, many times, and I always learn something new. I highly recommend it, and I have purchased and given away numerous copies.
Don't be afraid of the word "mortification." To mortify sin simply means to crush, put down or even to kill sin and its affects in our lives. Christians are commanded to mortify sin in the Bible.
"Put to death (mortify) therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming." (Col 3:5-6)
Here's an amazing quote from chapter two of The Mortification of Sin: "Do you mortify? Do you make it your daily work? You must always be at it while you live; do not take a day off from this work; always be killing sin or it will be killing you."
I will go into more specifics on the book next time, but I want to be clear that the famous Puritan (John Owen) is NOT suggesting we can do this alone or in our own strength. Rather, he writes to Christians on overcoming sin and temptation in all areas of life. He describes the work of God in us through the Holy Spirit. And yet, he emphasizes our daily duty and the Apostle Paul's example of disciplining the body (1 Cor. 9:27).
What I love about this book is how practical it is. It gets at the "nitty gritty" when it comes to sin and temptation. He describes in detail how sin destroys and how it takes control and grows in our lives. It's almost like having our enemy's playbook. Needless to say, it is easiest to eliminate sin before the roots become too deep.
After one recent seminar I received an unexpected letter in the mail. This Christian man confessed lustful desires that had been ever-present since he was a teenager. Now, the Internet was making matters worse - facing daily temptations at work that attracted him towards the dark side of the net.
He loved the book Virtual Integrity, but he had more questions on his "precious" and help in overcoming sin in his life. I sent him a copy of Owen's book.
Our virtual lives are tied to our physical lives and it all starts with our thought life. In the end, we will all be held to account. Thanks be to God that we have time-tested answers that work. (Owen wrote his book in 1656.) It has never been more relevant than now!
More thoughts next time on The Mortification of Sin by John Owen. This book is fundamental to motivating Christian virtual integrity in the 21st century.