A Christian Approach To Media

Nowadays there is a wide array of media from our phones, computers, radios and TV’s. We are surrounded by media in our everyday life, unless you are Amish. When it comes to media, how should Christians entertain and interact with it? We must be on guard against wicked and worldly things that are found in our media nowadays. Along with looking for media that builds up the body of Christ and glorifies God. This is meant to be a short dive into thought provoking questions and applications that relate to Christians with regards to the media atmosphere.

Consuming media

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor 10:31

When we observe what we are consuming day in and day out would it glorify God? This is a question that more Christians should wrestle with. The world has been set on a platter and handed to us through Entertainment. We must be discerning of what we give our time to and what we welcome into our minds. Media either brings us thanksgiving towards God for his creation or praise towards worldly things.

When it comes to media, everyone handles it differently, some could spend hours a day and not be affected while others might be affected by spending 15 minutes in media. God has given us different areas to serve in and different things to be passionate about. The Lord has called some to vocation through media outlets whether that be full time or side hobby. While He has called some to abstain from the media because of how distracting and harmful it can be to them. Each person is different and there are different seasons of life that call for different approaches. As Christians we should seek God’s word and discernment through the Holy Spirit as to what is right and what is wrong. But even more than that, we should have discernment between what is right and what is almost right. One thing I have noticed is that we all seem to make some sort of exception for one thing or another that is worldly. Whether it be us justifying nudity in a movie or us justifying violence in a video game or maybe us justifying language in music that we like.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

“Entertainment affects our minds, our homes, our culture, and our churches. Consequently, we must be vigilant as we use discernment in how we enjoy entertainment—looking to the light of God’s Word to guide us and inform our consciences. Entertainment isn’t evil in itself, and we can enjoy it as we remember that in whatever we do, our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever as we live coram Deo, before the face of our omniscient and gracious God.” – Dr. Burk Parsons

Helpful questions to ask

Is the music I’m choosing to allow into my ears, mind, and heart considered “worthy” in light of the character of the God in whom I profess to believe and obey?

Does the music I listen to tell me more about who God is and his creation or does it simply preach more worldly wickedness?

Am I truly aware of the quality of the entertainment that is in front of me daily?

Am I aware of the quantity of time that I am placing in entertainment weekly?

Where do I draw the line with movies, music and games? Is it language? Is it violence? Is it nudity?

Is this something I would feel comfortable listening, reading, or watching in the presence of Christ?

Behaving like Christians within Media space

“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” Gal 5:15

When it comes to sharing thoughts online and even in person, it seems there will always be those who disagree with you. Sometimes those who disagree are even brothers and sisters among our Christian family. It’s even expected for non-believers to disapprove of our views and even hate us for them. Yet while others are free to disregard our thoughts and spit on us, we are called to love them. The question then turns to how and why are we called to love them well. The simple answer is that we are to love others as Christ has loved us. This doesn’t mean that we only love if the other person is deserving of it, because most of the time they are not. The Lord knows we weren’t deserving of the love that He showed for us while we were dead in our sin. Yet when we observe how Christians speak to one another online, would we observe this Christ-like love for one another or corrupt speech being thrown around? It seems like when we use social media, we tend to forget that the other person online is made in the image of God. This alone is deserving of a certain level of respect and honor(imago dei), for we have been created by the same God and for the same God. We are no different than the rest of the ungodly people if we do not acknowledge this fact. Along with talking online comes reckless emotions and speech, very quickly a conversation can go from nice to ugly. So much of it stems from saying things we wouldn’t in person say and we say them because we are not face to face. If we can not control our words then we probably shouldn’t be speaking. Below are some examples of how we should handle ourselves when in conversation with others, along with things we should avoid.

Examples

“But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!” 1 Cor 6:8

Paul points out that it is wrong to get into legal entanglements with your brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. They were treating one another as an enemy fighting and bringing it to the witness and judge of non-believers. This is similar to fighting in public whether it be in person or online in the company of non-believers. This hurts and stains our testimony, while we will never be perfect, this does not give us an excuse to be arguing like the rest of the world.

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Eph 4:29

This is crucial to understand that what comes out of our mouths matters. There is talk which builds one another up, while there is also talk which destroys one another. We are called to be using the latter not becoming a stumbling block to others. This can be found in many ways such as throwing insults to one another or calling each other names or even cussing. We are called to be Holy and abstain from such speech in all matters at all times. Yet do not let others condemn you for calling out sin or boldly correcting one another. This isn’t a “thou shall be nice” command at the expense of the truth. Be kind to one another yet call sin, sin without doing it in a sinful way!

“submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Eph 5:21

We are called to recognize and honor one another rightfully and respectfully. Not because we are always deserving of it, but because Christ is and He has commanded us to summit to others. Submitting to others (in general) does not mean we have to always agree with others nor support their values.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph 4:32

Forgiving one another isn’t an option, it’s a command! Remember to show grace to one another and be patient towards others. Be mindful that you are a sinner and those who you are speaking with are sinners. Also remember that you were once immature and even a non believer once upon a time, so extend grace.

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone,…..” 2 Tim 2:24a

Avoid those who actively seek to fight others. Fighting should be a last resort option, not a common thing among Christians like we have today.

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all……. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom 12:18,21

As Christians we are called to overcome wickedness/evil with good/truth. Never are we to repay evil with evil, we operate in the light not in darkness.

Helpful questions to ask

Am I Spending too much time fighting and arguing with others online on a weekly basis?

Do I find myself mad or frustrated when using social media?

Is the sabbath kept holy when it comes to media consumption?

Do I witness more wickedness or good during my time online in social media?

Would I feel shame if others knew my actions and where my time was spent online?

Last but not least, what would Jesus do?

Hopefully this helps you reflect back on how you spend your time online. May you be an example to others of Christ online sharing the gospel and truth with the lost world.