There is far too much negativity in the world today. You can hardly escape it. The news is filled with hatred, cruelty and lies. Our TV shows, movies and music are cynical, grotesque and lewd. Social media is foul, divisive and perverse. It is everywhere.
Many of us have probably found ourselves being angry, sad or scared because of the media we consume. It’s not just the content itself, but how much we see it. We used to shut off the noise to spend time with family, friends or brethren. Now, it permeates and overtakes our social interactions. Instead of enjoying each other’s company, we may spend it worrying about the last thing we saw on our phone.
If we don’t learn to cut out the noise, the worries of this world will tear us apart. Our attention to media has caused fighting between family and brethren. Longtime friendships are ending. Many are falling into depression. We cannot keep this up. We must stop letting negativity permeate our daily lives.
In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells us to “Be anxious for nothing…” Can we say we are following this command? Christians shouldn’t be worrying about the cares of the world. We should be rejoicing in Christ (cf. v. 4). Yet, many of us are finding it to be too difficult.
We need to change what we give our attention to. Paul shows us what needs our attention in verse 8. He says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Does your media proclaim God’s truth or is your feed filled with fake news?
Does your media exemplify godly nobility or is your TikTok delivering trash?
Does your media promote justice or are your “Shorts” showing you something else?
Does your media teach purity, loveliness, goodness, virtue and that which receives God’s praise or is your search history something you hope is never seen?
Evil thoughts war against the soul! We can’t go on being inundated with the ugliness of the world 24/7. We need to make better choices for what gets our attention. Let’s make a real effort to put worldly media away and concentrate on those things that God has given us. Despite all the turmoil in the world, if we will turn our minds to God and His teachings, “…the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9).