The blessing of technology has given birth to the information age. Absolutely everywhere I go I am bombarded with information. We have the radio, television, Internet, even while driving down the road with the car radio off we are constantly fed information through signs and billboards.
I ask, "What kind of information are we receiving?" Does this information lift our spirits and bring a smile to our faces? Does it bring thoughts of good and peace to our hearts? Does it edify our Lord Jesus Christ? Unfortunately, it seems that about 98% of it does not. Today's popular music, television programs, the Internet and even billboards are filled with violence, sexual immorality, ridicule of husbands and fathers, disrespect toward authority figures, etc. Even the news is filled with one negative story after another, if the news does produce something positive it's usually only a 30 second sound bite human interest story.
However, as Christians, do we even notice these things or have we become so desensitized it doesn't even affect us? I ask that because I am amazed by the number of Christian homes who CONSTANTLY have the television or radio on, even when they are not focused on it or actively watching or listening to something. How can we guard our hearts and minds from the negatives of this world when we aren't even paying attention to what we are being fed?
Because I have yet to convince my husband that we don't need it, our home has one television. For a couple of years prior to marrying my husband, I didn't have television - nor did I want it. People actually pitied me for not having one. I even had people offer to give me a television on THREE different occasions. I wish I had photos of their shocked expressions when I politely declined - they couldn't understand how anyone could live without television. People would always ask, "But what about the news?" My response was, "Anytime I want to know what's going on in the world, I just buy a newspaper and read it." Even though we have a television, I generally watch it less than 4 hours per month. Nowadays, if I want some news I just log onto the computer - it's easier for me that way as I can pick and choose what and how much negative information I'm fed.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8 (KJV) - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. This Scripture is the meter I use for gaging the information this world tries to feed me. It works very well.
I ask, "What kind of information are we receiving?" Does this information lift our spirits and bring a smile to our faces? Does it bring thoughts of good and peace to our hearts? Does it edify our Lord Jesus Christ? Unfortunately, it seems that about 98% of it does not. Today's popular music, television programs, the Internet and even billboards are filled with violence, sexual immorality, ridicule of husbands and fathers, disrespect toward authority figures, etc. Even the news is filled with one negative story after another, if the news does produce something positive it's usually only a 30 second sound bite human interest story.
However, as Christians, do we even notice these things or have we become so desensitized it doesn't even affect us? I ask that because I am amazed by the number of Christian homes who CONSTANTLY have the television or radio on, even when they are not focused on it or actively watching or listening to something. How can we guard our hearts and minds from the negatives of this world when we aren't even paying attention to what we are being fed?
Because I have yet to convince my husband that we don't need it, our home has one television. For a couple of years prior to marrying my husband, I didn't have television - nor did I want it. People actually pitied me for not having one. I even had people offer to give me a television on THREE different occasions. I wish I had photos of their shocked expressions when I politely declined - they couldn't understand how anyone could live without television. People would always ask, "But what about the news?" My response was, "Anytime I want to know what's going on in the world, I just buy a newspaper and read it." Even though we have a television, I generally watch it less than 4 hours per month. Nowadays, if I want some news I just log onto the computer - it's easier for me that way as I can pick and choose what and how much negative information I'm fed.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8 (KJV) - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. This Scripture is the meter I use for gaging the information this world tries to feed me. It works very well.
Great thought provoker!
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