Pxfuel, https://p1.pxfuel.com/preview/260/556/929/technology-social-media-technology.jpg By: Chris V This world is full of media, from movies to news and social posts. We have social media platforms at our fingertips: Snapchat, Instagram, Tic Tok... media is everywhere. Almost everyone tends to use some form of media, whether it be to catch up on news or "hang out" with friends in cyber-space. But do we ever think about what goes through our minds and hearts when we look at media? Do you think about how it affects your relationship with Jesus? Cautious Consumption This world has so many messages portrayed through media. While some of those messages can build you up, those messages can also tear you down. For example, Christian books, blog posts, and podcasts can build you up in your walk with God and encourage you in the faith. On the other hand, certain messages portrayed throughout the media (messages like "Your self- worth is defined by how many people like your social media posts" or "Parents just get in the way of you living your life") are a roadblock to growing in your faith and can often plant lies in your heart. The media can sometimes be a loudspeaker for Satan's lies he like to feed us girls! So, how can we filter our media choices to glorify God and grow in the faith? Check out the three tips below: #1: Check out reviews Before you watch Do you like to watch TV shows and movies? I do too! Unfortunately, some of the content in today's popular TV shows and movies are definitely not God honoring. For example, language (Ephesians 4:29), satanic activities (Leviticus 19:31), and sexual immorality (Hebrews 13:4) are some of the content found in some of today's media. So what are some ways to keep our viewing clean and God honoring? First off, you can ask a trusted Christian about a certain TV show or movie and if there's any content you should be wary of. You can also check out Christian reviews, like reviews from Plugged In, a media review site from Focus on the Family. #2: Check Out ACCOUNTABILITY Software Did you know that most girls find pornography when just doing homework? Or maybe when surfing through social media platforms? In Psalm 51:10, David says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." How can we do that when we see (or hear) all the nasty junk, like hate comments and suggestive photos, on social media, in songs, etc. One way we can filter media sources is to get accountability software. Accountability software filters out the junk you find on social media... or even just researching for your next paper that's due! In Focus on the Family's Brio magazine (June/July 2019 edition), Jessica Harris gives examples of several different accountability software sites that your parents can install: Net Nanny, Covenant Eyes, and Bark (a social media filter). The best part? They work on your phone! Another option is to get one of the phones Gabb Wireless sells. It doesn't have an app store or the Internet, which removes a whole lot of temptation from the picture. (I have one, and it works really well!) #3: Limit Your ACCess To The MEdia I have a friend who deleted YouTube from his phone because it was taking over his life. I once asked him how many hours he spent on YouTube so far in a day (keep in mind this was around 12:30 p.m.) and he was shocked to see he already spent four and a half hours on YouTube. Okay, you may not be spending as long as different social platforms, but it can be problem! You can easily become addicted and enslaved to your phone, preventing you from using your time to do other things, like glorifying God by serving Him with the God-given talents that He's given you. (See 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.) One way you can limit your time on media platforms (this includes the Internet!) is by setting timers on your phone. Most phones are able to set timers that allow you to spend a certain amount of time on the different apps you have. Once you limit your time on apps, you may realize how much free time you have! God Cares about media Girls, I can't express how important filtering your media choices is. God cares about your media choices and how it affects your heart and mind. He even left instructions in the Bible! The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:1-10 that we need to "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (v.5). One way we can do that is by filtering the media we look at every day. David prays to God in Psalm 51:10 to "Create in me a clean heart... and renew a right spirit within me". David knew that his relationship with God can become "gunked up" without a clean heart, and that he can't keep a clean heart (because of sin) without the help of God. Will you make Psalm 51:10 your prayer in your life?
How have you filtered your media choices? What are some ways you can filter your media choices? Tell us in the comments below!
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