Media Mishaps

You watch TV. You listen to music. You browse the internet. Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to avoid at least some form of technology or media. Many school assignments rely on typed essays or research. And although many times technology is helpful in getting tasks done, it can also get you so fascinated you get addicted. Think about it. How many times a day do you turn on the TV? I don’t mean just for watching a TV show either. I mean including movies, sports, and video games. And how about the computer? Apart from looking up research or typing a paper for school, how many times a week do you look up music, play games, get on facebook or just simply browse the internet? If you’re anything like me, you get so caught up in these things at times you don’t even notice how much time has passed by until the day is halfway gone. Even music can be distracting if you spend long periods of time listening to it!

Every time I spend a mass amount of the time on any form of media, I end up feeling guilty and empty. There went a whole hour, or maybe even a whole day, I could have been using for God and His glory. Now I’m not saying watching TV, browsing the internet, or listening to your iPod is a bad thing, but how much time is it taking when you could be doing something more productive?


Leviticus 19:4
Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God.

Honestly, the word idol describes this time wasted perfectly. Jesus is our Lord and our Savior who SAVED us! And we want to spend our time sitting in front of a screen or tuning out the limited time we have here on Earth? Not only is the time we spend focusing on these things wasteful; but what about WHAT we are watching and listening to? I don’t even watch the TV anymore because of all the…well, crap…that’s shown on it. And music! Many times Christians seem to think listening to bands that cuss and have perverted messages to them are not bad for them. Think again!

Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

God hates perverted speech. Listening to things such as music with ungodly messages or looking at things or watching raunchy YouTube videos in the internet not only get stuck in our minds, but are engraved in our hearts. And sooner or later, what is in our hearts will eventually come out.


Think about it like this. God is coming back to earth soon. We don’t know when, but He’s coming back. If He was to come back right now, would you really want to be seen listening to that song that is cursing Him or watching that 3 hour long movie that does not bring Him any glory? I know when he comes back; I definitely want him to be doing something that would make Him proud to call me His child!

Colossians 3:1-4
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

What do you think? Will all this technology set you mind on things above, or bring you down? Next time, before turning on the television or checking your facebook, ask yourself if what you’re doing is worthwhile when you could be doing something else more productive. You might be surprised how much more of your life you actually gain.

-Emily