6. What Social Media Won’t Tell You About Love | John Ortberg

Jun 23, 2025

The discussion delves into how social media can distort perceptions of love and self-worth. It reveals the alarming rise in youth isolation and mental health issues linked to digital interactions. A poignant real-life story illustrates the impact of curated online identities. The talk also emphasizes the powerful role of love in overcoming despair, drawing inspiration from Viktor Frankl's experiences. Listeners are encouraged to foster authentic connections and prioritize compassion amidst the noise of online life.

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INSIGHT

Traits vs. Temporary States

Fruit of the Spirit are traits, enduring qualities in a person, not just feelings or states.
Developing traits like love requires experiencing opposite feelings and choosing the right response.

ADVICE

Make Tech Unplug Commitments

Commit to unplugging regularly: an hour a day, a day a week, or a week a year.
Share passwords with trusted friends or family to maintain accountability and openness.

ANECDOTE

Madison Holleran’s Social Media Mask

Madison Holleran appeared happy on Instagram but suffered severe depression and loneliness.
Social media creates idealized images that mask real pain and contribute to isolation.

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Renovation of the Heart

Putting on the Character of Christ

Dallas Willard

In *Renovation of the Heart*, Dallas Willard argues that spiritual transformation occurs when all essential dimensions of the human being—spirit, mind, body, social context, and soul—are transformed to Christlikeness under the direction of a regenerate will and the constant overtures of God's grace. The book emphasizes that this transformation is not achieved through mere human effort but through apprenticeship to Jesus Christ. Willard discusses the importance of understanding human nature, its components, and how they are renewed, and he provides a systematic process for personal transformation rooted in biblical and theological principles[1][3][5].

Analog Christian

Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age

Dan Kimball

Jay Kim

In *Analog Christian*, Jay Y. Kim explores how the digital age affects Christian discipleship. He argues that the digital age inclines us towards discontentment, fragility, and foolishness, and provides a theological basis for living in creative resistance to these forces. The book is organized around the fruits of the Spirit, showing how each fruit helps heal from the toxic mindsets and behaviors cultivated by the digital world. Kim offers practical advice and real-world examples on how Christians can cultivate contentment, resilience, and wisdom to thrive in the current digital landscape.

Man's Search for Meaning

Viktor Frankl

The book is divided into two parts. The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945. He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners. The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure. Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering). The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.