You are an incredibly capable individual. You are able to do better and accomplish more than almost any previous generation in human history.

Marco Polo and Ernest Shackleton would have been envious of your navigational abilities as you use your smartphone to traverse the world. Your great-great-grandparents would have marveled at how quickly you can ignite a fire and warm the house as you use your thermostat. And Johannes Gutenberg would have stood in awe of how many words you write through your text messages and emails.

The Power of Our Tools

There is just one catch: Nearly all of your incredible capabilities are the result of the tools you use. (The same is true for me!)

Our navigational abilities are augmented by GPS and maps on our smartphones. While we may be better navigators than Marco Polo and Ernest Shackleton, that is largely due to the powerful tools that we hold in our hands and keep in our pockets. Our ability to heat our homes is not because we are really capable of making fires but because we have tools such as furnaces and thermostats. Our communication capabilities lean heavily on tools like computers, software, and devices. We are incredibly capable individuals—but a lot of that has to do with the incredible capability of our tools.

Wield Your Tools Well 

In our book Redeeming Technology: A Christian Approach to Healthy Digital Habits, my coauthor and I explore how we can wield our tools well. By learning about our tools and creating some tools of our own, we can make progress in wielding our tools well. Learning and creating can help us grow in our ability to use powerful technological tools.  

Learn from Bezalel’s Example

God’s Word tells us about Bezalel and his ability to wield his tools well:

The LORD said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, 
of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. (Exodus 31:1–5)

The Spirit of God empowered Bezalel to be a competent craftsman. And yet, this Spirit-empowered ability took the shape of years of learning how to use the tools of his trade. The same is true for us—we need to take time to learn about the digital tools that we use on a daily basis. Here are two practical suggestions for wielding your tools well:

Learn the Basics of Computer Programming

Unless you are planning a future in computer programming or you are really interested in the topic, you do not need to become an expert on a programming language. However, it is well worth your time to learn something about the mechanics behind the technology we use on a daily basis.

This is not unlike knowing the basics of car mechanics; most drivers know how to check or add oil to a car, change a flat tire, install a new headlight, and so forth. Why do many drivers know this? Well, if you’re going to drive a car on a regular basis, it helps to know some basic things about how it works. The same goes for websites, apps, and computer programs. There are plenty of accessible opportunities (such as Lynda.com or Khan Academy) to learn the basics of computer programming languages, such as Python or Java. You don’t have to become an expert, but at least learn something about how our technological tools work.

Create Something of Your Own

Making your own website, blog, or podcast is extremely easy to do. Even if you consider yourself inept when it comes to technology, creating something online is not beyond your abilities. In all likelihood, only your mom will go to your website or listen to your podcast (yay moms!)—that’s alright. The point is not attracting tons of traffic or having millions of listeners. Rather, the experience of planning it out, putting it together, and sharing it with the world is very valuable. As with learning the basics of computer programming, this is a way that you can learn some of the inner workings of digital technology.

Curiosity, Wisdom, and Growth

The book of Proverbs tells us, “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15). Curiosity, lifelong learning, and growing in wisdom are good gifts of God, and they can be very powerful forces for good in this world. And a little bit of curiosity, learning, and tinkering can help you wield your tools well. 

Scripture: ESV^®. 

Technology is a powerful gift, but it requires wisdom to use well. Explore a thoughtful Christian framework for digital stewardship in Trevor Sutton’s Redeeming Technology.