A few years back, a trusted mentor of mine talked about being aware of how the media plays into our lives and affects the way we see and think about things. I've also thought more recently how our choice of friends should be considered that way, too. In fact, everything should be considered, right? 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 say, "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil" (NIV84).
Here are some of the reasons that I've found for "testing" and approving our media and friend choices, followed by some verses from the Bible to support each one. I really encourage you to look up the verses and reflect on each one. Pray before you start and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God's truths to you. (I really considered typing them all out for you, but then realized how time-consuming that would be and I need to give some of that time back to my family.)
1. We should be aware of what is going in. We need to be gatekeepers and stand on guard, determining what we will let pass into our mind (and the minds of our children) and what we need to block. Think about it. When you hear a certain word, phrase, or song. It could be something someone says, from a t.v. show or movie, from a song on the radio, or even a commercial jingle. Or what if you see something, like a "love" scene in a movie? What happens? It plays over and over in your head. Even when you try to stop thinking about it, you find yourself still thinking about it. How hard it can be to get it out of your mind. Remember the saying, "Practice makes perfect?" Your mind is "rehearsing" what it has heard or seen. What if it is something offensive or crude, like cursing or sexually immoral behavior? Do you really want your mind rehearsing that? Your mind can become accustomed to hearing or seeing these acts and you can be convinced that it isn't that bad - or you may not even realize it is there anymore. I know I am much more greatly aware of curse words or improper interactions in movies or t.v. shows nowadays. It feels horrible inside my head now that I've avoided it for a while. Just as our minds can be trained to be accustomed to this type of input, they can also be trained to recognize and despise it.
We should be seeking to fill our minds and hearts with things of God - good, pure, righteous, true things. Wouldn't you rather your mind practice concepts like this? Aren't these the things you would like to practice and perfect in your life?
Also, what does our choice of activities and friends reveal to others - to non-believers, new believers, or struggling believers? By going to movies or watching t.v. shows with crude content, are we not in a way endorsing it and showing these others that we are okay with it, that it should be acceptable? When we are around a lot of foul language, drunkenness and carousing, and other immoral or otherwise improper behavior, again are we not giving it a sort of stamp of approval for others who may be more weak? We need to consider how our actions affect others - and not just our own selves.
Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7, Deuteronomy 7:26, Deuteronomy 30:19-20, Proverbs 4:23, 25, Proverbs 23:12, Proverbs 24:11-12, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 8:9, 1 Corinthians 10:23, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-7, Galatians 6:4-5, Galatians 6:8-9, Galatians 6:11, Philippians 4:8, Colossians 2:8, Colossians 3:2,Colossians 3:17, Colossians 4:5-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 Timothy 4:12.
2. What goes in affects what comes out. You didn't really think it just stayed in your mind, did you? No, it can affect your heart, coloring your perceptions, and even your own speech and behavior. I can very vividly remember the first time I ever cursed verbally. I was either a sophomore or junior in high school. The other kids I spent time with cursed and one day it just slipped out. We were all so shocked by it and everyone thought it hilarious that it had happened. I wish I could say that I didn't laugh with them, but I did. I think I even said it a few more times. What we allow in becomes more normal and accepted to us. When we see and hear it all the time, we become desensitized to it. That is when we can slip and become a part of it. Be on guard, brothers and sisters!
Matthew 15:10, Matthew 15:18-19, Mark 7:21, Luke 6:45.
3. We are called to not conform to this world, to be set apart from it. Why would that be? Don't you think we need to be set apart so people can see a difference between a life with Christ and a life without Him? What would there be to draw people to Him if we aren't living any differently than they already are? They have to see something different, something better, something they would desire for their own lives. Everything we do should be for God and for others.
Psalm 1:1-2, Proverbs, 12:26, Proverbs 13: 20, Proverbs 16:17, Proverbs 23:20-21, Proverbs 25:4-5, John 15:19, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 8:9, 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Corinthians 15:33, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Corinthians 4:18, 2 Corinthians 5:6-7, 2 Corinthians 6:14, 2 Corinthians 6:17, Galatians 1:10, Galatians 6:8-9, Ephesians 4:14-15, Ephesians 4:29-5:21, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:2, Colossians 3:17, Colossians 4:2, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Timothy 2:15-16, 2 Timothy 3:1-7, Hebrews 12:1-2, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17.
4. Do not envy wicked men (and women). Do not envy that they can watch whatever movies or t.v. shows they feel like, go partying and let go of all their inhibitions, wear anything they like no matter how much skin is showing or where it shows, etc. Sometimes, it can be tempting. It is hard to do the right thing, but I personally have been convicted that doing the right thing is usually the hardest and if something appears easy, it is probably the wrong thing. Yes, sometimes I think it would be nice to just do the easy thing, but I'm getting to a point where I just can't, no matter what it is. I can't watch certain shows or movies, be around certain people, hear certain language without being disgusted. Even with this blog - it would be easier to just type my opinions and what I believe - but I can't. I am convicted to back up what I present with the Bible. It takes time to look up verses about the topic I feel led to write about. This current topic is something I've been working on over the last couple weeks. It isn't something I can just search for five or ten minutes and be done. Of course, I believe God is growing me through the experience, too. God has His reasons for why we must take the longer, harder route sometimes. Even though it can be hard work to separate ourselves from our current culture and society to follow God, it is something we are instructed to do, and I believe it will be to our benefit and to the benefit of others.
Psalm 37:1, Proverbs 23:17, 19-20, Proverbs 24:1-2, Galatians 1:10.
Here are some resources: ScreenIt (www.screenit.com); PluggedIn (www.pluggedin.com); Christian Spotlight (www.christiananswers.net/spotlight); Movieguide (www.movieguide.org); Family Life (www.familylife.com - under the Family tab); an interesting article by the Barna Group (http://www.barna.org/family-kids-articles/90-christian-parents-are-not-comfortable-with-media-but-buy-them-for-their-kids-anyway);
And now some other verses I wanted to share with you:
2 Timothy 3:14-17 - But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those form whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 - And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. [Be careful not to judge other people harshly. God speaks to each of us individually. Not everyone may hold the same convictions as us, or hold them as strongly as we do. We should still love them.]
Ephesians 1:18-19a - I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
And lastly, think upon this song. It's a child's song but it would be wise for us to take heed also.
Oh be careful
little eyes what you see...
little ears what you hear...
little mouth what you say...
little hands what you do...
little feet where you go...
for the Father up above is looking down with love.
I'm praying for you today.
-Christa
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