For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13 ESV
There are many conspiracies that Google is always listening and eavesdropping on people’s conversation. It is a possibility with today's technology and is probably true depending on the settings of our devices. After all, it does seem to predict our thoughts, wants and desires. Or maybe that is just our perspective.
It’s quite scary when you are discussing a musician with someone and the next time you do a google search there it is...all of the upcoming tour dates of the musician. Google searches can be the most random things such as a recipe for dinner or a new pair of Vans that you are wanting to buy. Next thing you know, there are pop-ups with coupons for chicken or 25% off at the local Van’s store. Maybe Google isn’t listening, but instead studies our patterns and desires through different algorithms.
Computer algorithms are step by step instructions to calculate probabilities and compile data in order to complete a certain task. In this case, the objective is to learn about people's patterns, the way they think and the things they desire. Have you noticed when searching something Google will auto fill the words? It is guessing what you are looking for. It compiles data from previous searches and predicts what someone is searching for. Pop-up ads are no coincidence either. They come from your previous search history, like on Facebook, or information of your bosses birthday from social media. In all actuality, Google isn’t listening in on all conversations, but rather knows people better than they know themselves. Every person who uses the internet has in essence an A.I. version of themselves that is built from the information obtained from internet browsing.
Oddly enough, Google is a perfect example of what Paul calls the flesh. Flesh is simply defined as any attempt to meet God given needs of love, acceptance, worth and security apart from God. All the things from our past that were used to meet these needs, constructs each person's unique flesh. Flesh knows the past and remembers how these needs were met before. Therefore, it can predict and suggest ways to meet them again. It knows how each person thinks, feels and chooses because it studies people and their desires. When things seem to get tough in a marriage or at work, the flesh remembers how to instantly gratify itself. It is cunning and always aims to instantly please without taking into consideration the pain that may come from it in the long run. A drink, a pornographic website, a pill or even buying a new car can fill that need for a moment, but always leaves us emptier than before.
Google (aka flesh) will throw up suggestions to get you to the place it wants to lead you. It is cunning and continually adapting with new schemes and illusions. It calculates how much time is spent looking for certain things and where people go to find them. It learns patterns by the ritualistic searching that has been done before. It doesn’t forget. It may have been a long time since something has been searched for, but it is bound and determined to pop it up again and remind the user. Disrupting at the most inconvenient time. Seemingly, when we are susceptible to take its suggestion and follow the desire of our flesh. The power of sin that still lives within our souls is bound and determined to disrupt all lives that are being restored.
However, the awesome truth is that when we believe by faith and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, we now have the mind of Christ. A new heart, mind and spirit. The old person is dead and the new is raised to life in Christ. Our spirit declares war on our flesh and that is a lifelong battle. Similar to Google, you can clear the browsing history. Get a fresh start. When you start searching for bible verses, devotions, blogs or songs it eventually starts auto filling and suggesting things of your new search pattern. It adapts to you. The new you. The righteous and justified you. In time, it can actually be trained to do as you want. Change happens from the inside out not the outside in.
The information is still stored somewhere out there so it will never fully go away. Since our minds are like a giant computer, there will always be some residue of the old self at least until we get to our glorified body. There will always be the random pop-up ad (i.e. your ex, who is trouble, in your DM) in a desperation attempt to take you off course.
As we begin walking by the Spirit, gradually we become more like image bearers of Jesus. It is not an instant fix. There has to be a decision to delete the history, kill the old self and start with a fresh clean slate as a new self. The flesh still remains, but the more we walk and are led by the Spirit, the less power the flesh has over us. The battle is won from within.
Of course, flesh will always be a part of us in this life since we all are descendants of Adam. However, we can take the steps necessary to overcome the power of sin. Transparency, vulnerability, honesty, willingness and counsel are tools to help rid the old self. After all, that person died. Remember?
If you would like someone to walk with you on your journey in Christ give us a call. We would love to talk with you! You can call us at 864-224-5557 or click on the Counseling button below.