How Do I Respond to Ungodly Messages?
CONVERSATIONS:
Q. How do I respond to Ungodly Messages in Media?
“The most obvious drawback of social media is that they are aggressive distractions.” - Bill Keller
Whether it’s news about the latest celebrity scandal or a controversial sex change operation; there is a lot of information out there that’s ready to bombard and influence you.
Da Vinci Code is written as a novel. But others are looking for Biblical truths in it. We give our children standards to live by, but they see contradicting lifestyles on social media.
How should a Christian respond to such confusing messages?
1. Be a follower of Truth, not of trends.
- Katy Perry has over 71 million followers who hear her sing “I kissed a girl and I liked it.” - Justin Bieber has 65 million followers with the motto: “Let’s make the world better, join my fan club.” - Taylor Swift has over 59 million followers.
More than trends, we need solid truth as an “anchor for our souls”. Deciding who you will follow for the rest of your life, will determine the outcome of your life.
Q. Who was a major influence in your life growing up (good or bad) and how did that affect the outcome of your life?
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Q. How does John 8 help you ?
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12
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2. Learn to Act, Not React.
If your faith is based on solid doctrine, you needn’t stress about someone’s controversial or ungodly pronouncements on social media.
Q. Should a Christian publicly react to social media news? What wisdom can you glean from the verses below?
Don't answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Proverbs 26: 4 (NLT)
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. Proverbs 26: 5 (ESV)
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3. Let Jesus’ Words be Your Daily Standard.
Before you open Facebook. Open your Faith book! “Like” the word of God before you “like” the words of people. Soak your mind in Proverbs not in Yahoo news.
What will happen when you read God’s word first?
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“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.” Ephesians 4:14 (NLT)
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
You are the light of the world. Shine your light on the news we read and the social media we watch. Give us the ability to discern your truth from lies and deception. Helps us trash what’s trash and not even entertain it.
Give us wisdom to know when and how to respond to social media.
Most of all, give us and our families the desire and discipline to store Your word in our hearts, so we don’t sin against You.
As Psalm 43: 3 says: “Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! “
This we ask, in Jesus Name. Amen.
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