Sunday, February 10, 2019

Be Careful Little Heart What You Read, Watch, Hear



Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

 

Okay, how does one protect their heart when "devouring" media? How does one have holy eyes, ears, and heart? My daddy once shared a graph for me when I felt convicting to change/get rid of media... Unlike popular Christian opinion, you don't have to watch, read, and listen to all Christian media. Just because the genre is "Christian" doesn't make the media more or less holy. 

“The world does not need more Christian literature. What it needs is more Christians writing good literature.”
 CS Lewis


So what can you watch? What can you read? And what can you listen to? Well, first ask these questions, in order

1.) Celebrate: Does it celebrate sin?

Does this particular piece of media celebrate sin? As in, do they call evil good? Does it denigrate women? Does it approve of homosexuality and things that are obviously against God's will?

2.) Accessible: Is this sin accessible?

In this case, in the Bible it says that witchcraft and sorcery is evil and sinful. However in this case, ask yourself what real witchcraft is. It requires candles, sacrifices, pentagrams and pentacles. But fantasy such as Harry Potter (where they are born with  the magical gift and only learning to control it, rather than learning how to do real witchcraft) and fairy tales and stuff, as these things are not accessible, then it isn't the actual witchcraft... and is okay.

3.) Negotiate: Does it negotiate sin?

Negotiating is quite easy to spot "this isn't as bad as...." such and such... Does it dismiss the real evil of the sin?

4.) Is it fulfilling/uplifting?

Alright now onto how it affects you personally... Is what you are watching/reading/listening to fulfilling and uplifting to your soul? Do you feel like it does anything for you? Is it spiritually fulfilling? Or is it spiritually discouraging? Discern the spirit of the media...

5.) How does it make me feel?

This is connected closely to the last question, but a little different: how does what you're watching/reading/listening to make you feel? Does it make you depressed? Anxious? Does it impact your mental health in a way that you don't like?

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Proverbs 4:20-27

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