Hi, good people. Something that happened to me last Sunday inspired me to write this post about why you must stop using your Smartphone unnecessarily during church services. The lady I sat next to in church (she is an acquaintance in church) used her Smartphone most of the time.

I must confess that at one point I glanced at what the lady was watching. I discovered she was watching the live performance of a gospel artist visiting our country.

I love the songs of that musician and I planned to go to one of his concerts. So, I couldn’t help myself when I looked at my neighbor’s phone screen and saw the artist performing live. For a few minutes, I totally forgot I was in church.

We started whispering excitedly to each other and smiling. Then the people sitting next to us stared disapprovingly at us.

When I went home after the service, I thought about how I got carried away by my neighbor’s Smartphone in church. I felt bad and embarrassed. I hope I don’t repeat that in the future.

Why You Must Stop Using Your Smartphone Unnecessarily During Church Services

By the way, I usually carry my Smartphone to church. However, I always put it on silent mode.

Oh, and like many of you, I use my Smartphone to take notes in church whenever the need arises. I also use it as a digital bible. In addition, I take photos or record videos during special events.

So, I’m not trying to say that you should not carry your Smartphone to a church service.

It’s okay to have your Smartphone during a church service but, you must stop using it unnecessarily due to the following reasons:

You Must Stop Using Your Smartphone Unnecessarily During Church Services Because It Distracts You

As I mentioned earlier, my neighbor in church spent most of the time on her Smartphone. She was so distracted by whatever she was viewing that she almost forgot she was in church. At one time, we were requested to stand up and she didn’t hear. I had to nudge her to stand.

You see, the internet is crazy! Once you click on one item, another one pops up, and another…. You keep clicking and you get distracted before you know it.

I’m sure my neighbor in the church had come for spiritual nourishment. However, I don’t think she got any, because her Smartphone distracted her 90% of the time. It would have been better if she’d stayed at home instead of coming to church.

So, you must stop using your Smartphone unnecessarily during church services if you don’t want to be distracted. That way, you’ll get the spiritual nourishment you came to seek in church. You’ll also have a great worship experience.

You Must Stop Using Your Smartphone Unnecessarily During Church Services Because It Distracts Other Worshipers

My neighbor in church distracted herself and also distracted me. We started whispering and smiling as we looked at her Smartphone’s screen.

As if that was not enough, we distracted those sitting next to us. They stared at us. I guess they were wondering why we were so fixated on the phone screen and why we were whispering and smiling.

We distracted them for a few moments and thus interfered with their worship experience.

It’s not okay to distract other worshipers with your Smartphone. So, avoid using it unnecessarily during church services.

You Must Stop Using Your Smartphone Unnecessarily During Church Services Because It’s Annoying

You see, places of worship have a serene, quiet, and peaceful atmosphere. People go to places of worship to reflect, focus on spiritual matters, pray, or find peace.

When you use your mobile phone in such an atmosphere, you can annoy and irritate those around you.

There’s nothing as annoying as seeing someone’s fingers moving on their Smartphone’s keyboard in a place of worship. Also, someone concentrating on their phone’s screen in church can be very annoying.

No wonder the people around us glared, scowled, grimaced, and frowned at us when they saw us staring at my neighbor’s smartphone during the church service.

I had to stop looking at my neighbor’s phone when I saw how annoyed the people around us were. I also told my neighbor to put the phone away.

You Must Stop Using Your Smartphone Unnecessarily During Church Services Because It’s Disrespectful

As I said earlier, it’s okay to use your Smartphone to take notes or use the Bible app during a worship service. However, using your phone to browse during a worship service is downright disrespectful.

For goodness sake, a place of worship is a consecrated, revered, sacred, hallowed place. You’re supposed to disconnect from the outside world while you’re there.

In addition, people are supposed to be on their best behavior in a place of worship. You behave well as a sign of respect to God, the church leadership, and the congregation.

So, avoid using your Smartphone in places of worship because it’s disrespectful. You lack respect for the place of worship and all it represents.

You Must Stop Using Your Smartphone Unnecessarily During Church Services Because You Might Set A Bad Example

This post would not be complete without this important point. If you use your Smartphone during a church service, you could set a bad example to children and younger people. They might think it’s okay to use the phone in church – after all, you’re using it.

It’s important to be a good example to others. So, you must stop using your Smartphone unnecessarily during a church service so you can set a good example for others, especially the next generation.

Conclusion

I urge you to give yourself screen-free time when attending a church service. In other words, put your Smartphone on silent mode and keep it away when you’re in a church service.

When you take a break from your phone during a church service, you can engage fully and benefit from the service. You also honor others and most importantly God, when you don’t use your Smartphone during a church service.

What are your views on this topic? Kindly share in the comments section below. Cheers!

Also read: Mobile phone etiquette; 9 mobile phone usage tips for your own good