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Exclusive Intelligence Examiner Report
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Americans are blissfully unaware
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“Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.”
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“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:”
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Americans have become distracted and lost any semblance of balance in their lives. We see it every day in one way, shape, or form.
Driving to work, invariably we will cross the path of someone who is messing with their cellphone. Some are texting. Others could be searching for an app to play music. Still others could be channel surfing on their radio or eating breakfast.
How many have seen a co-worker sitting idly at their desk with a faraway look on their face? How many times have we, ourselves, been guilty of this? As Jesus said in John 8:7, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.”
How Did We Get Here?
Before television sets populated the living rooms in every house, most Americans would sit and listen to their radios. Researchers have proven that auditory skills were so profound during this period, people could tell lies from truth by inflection and voice patterns.
With the advent of the television, pictures really did become more valuable than words. Though the power of this medium was in its infancy, those who recognized its ability to shape opinion were primed to capitalized on it.
Isn’t Technology Great?
As technology became developed, so did this control mechanism begin to take shape. Advertisers were probably among the first to understand the psychological affects their images and vocal patterns had on the public.
In 1971, a Canadian professor of psychology, Dr. Allan Paivio, posited the “Dual-coded Theory” which suggests the mind processes information along two different channels—verbal and nonverbal. Dr. Paivio believed that people could expand on learned material through verbal association and imagery.
Ten short years later, how American’s viewed television was forever changed. Music Television (MTV) debuted on August 1, 1981. Through the use of Dr. Paivio’s theory, music video directors began utilizing dynamic camera work, fast-paced editing, and choreography to hold viewer attention. In essence, music videos validated the theory put forth by Dr. Paivio.
But Wait... There’s More...
Television certainly changed the landscape for those who wished to control the minds of the population. However, as with all things, there was a clamoring for more innovations.
Television sets proliferated throughout the country—many homes seemingly placed one in every room except the bathroom. Personal computers were unheard of, but technology was making great leaps forward.
In the late 1970s personal computers began a slow progression towards acceptance. Hobbyists and electronic enthusiasts were predominately the customer base.
These early computers did not connect to the internet as we know it today. Instead, these systems utilized modems to connect through phone lines to access bulletin boards. There, users could share files and messages.
With the cost of a personal computer becoming reasonable for most families, along with the development of user-friendly software like Windows, the advancement of technology went into hyper-drive. These systems became smaller and faster with each passing month.
In the mid 1990s the bulletin board went by the wayside as the world wide web became the rage. With this global system in place, a whole new frontier was at the fingertips of everyone.
Moving Forward at Breakneck Speed
As technology continued to progress, the microchips that powered personal computers became smaller and faster. The next step was for people to be able to carry a computer in the palm of their hand.
In 2007, Steve Jobs of Apple computers unveiled the very first iPhone. Wired magazine wrote in a 2018 retrospective of the first decade of the iPhone: “It’s not just the bestselling gadget ever created, it’s probably the most influential one, too. Its influence goes far beyond other phones—the infrastructure that made the iPhone also enabled drones, smart-home gadgets, wearables and self-driving cars.”
Are We, As a Society, Better Off?
Thanks to these technological advancements, our society has taken leaps and bounds towards complete distraction. One cannot go to dinner at a restaurant and not see most people—children and adults!—on a device of one type or another.
Parents utilize them as babysitters, completely unaware of the damage being done to their children—both physically and mentally. Many are totally oblivious to the radiation warnings each of these devices carry. How many of our youth will develop childhood cancer from holding these devices at their abdomen? How many children, completely unbeknownst to the parents, fall prey to those who wish to do them harm?
The art of conversation is an endangered species. Most households in the 60s and 70s had uninterrupted discussions every night at the dining table. Daily events that affected the family, as well as updates on school happenings were standard fare.
Today, people are too addicted to texting, surfing, or playing games. Sadly, it has been observed by this author that texts have been sent to dinner dates while seated at the same table!
Jesus, Mary, and Martha
In Luke 10:38-42 we read an account of Jesus, Mary, and Martha:
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“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
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This story teaches the danger of being distracted. Martha is busy preparing the meal while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus. When Martha complains about this, Jesus points out that Mary is doing what is necessary—listening to His teaching.
How appropriate is this lesson considering the goings-on in churches today? Too many are utilizing Paivio’s dual-coded theory with slick choreography and music to hold the attention of the congregation.
His Word is no longer heard through the smoke and mirrors of production. Is it any wonder there are so many souls who have ceased going to worship services? The declination of the congregation is staggering. Sadly, many are wandering in the mist and falling prey to the minions of Satan?
What’s Next?
In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 we read:
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“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”
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These are certainly troubling times we are in. Our Pastor Emeritus, the late Texe Marrs, dubbed them “Crazy Times.” As was always the case, Texe was spot on with this observation.
Those who remain steadfast in our devotion to the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, know that we can not be defeated. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 we read:
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“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”
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As Hebrews 10:23 teaches us, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).” We will not go quietly into that goodnight, for we are His servants. Our voices shall continue to spread His Word. 
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