Media Brainwashing
Television is a very influential source for brainwashing and conforming the world. We need to be aware of this danger so we don't allow our minds and hearts to be contaminated.
Media is the plural for Medium!
Leviticus 19:31 Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.
me·di·um (md-m) n. pl. me·di·a (-d-) or me·di·ums 1. Something, such as an intermediate course of action, that occupies a position or represents a condition midway between extremes. 2. An intervening substance through which something else is transmitted or carried on. 3. An agency by which something is accomplished, conveyed, or transferred: The train was the usual medium of transportation in those days.
You may be thinking that this is a bit extreme and you don't feel it's controlling your mind at all. You simply find television a good way to relax and wind down after a long day. The enemy is always roaring around like a lion, 'looking' for whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He is continually on the prowl to cause destruction (John 10:10), and television over the years has become an increasingly crafty and successful form of getting into people's lives and placing negative and sinful thoughts and desires into their minds.
Think about it; most, if not all TV shows, news programs and movies nowadays (and this also includes the internet) have a list of 'agendas' that need to be ticked off in order for it to be aired. And this is true of children's programs too (on a more subtle scale).
The next time you watch a show, see if you can check these off the list because I can guarantee that these are the top subjects that the media are using to conform the masses into not only accepting these things, but also into becoming desensitised to them--and from a young age.
In just one program, you will most likely see someone fornicating and someone being forced to do something they don't want to do. We have already become so numbed by these shows over the years, that we don't even notice these agendas anymore. But in effect, by watching these shows, we are allowing our hearts to be conformed to the patterns of this world.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
The Bible is our life-line in this world, and we need to value its contents much more than the things of this world. But if we're constantly allowing the TV and movies to occupy our minds, we are allowing Satan to have a field day with us because we are inadvertently giving him access to our hearts, to do with it as he wishes.
You may not realise it at the time, however after a while, a biblical principle you used to believe in firmly, you may find you now have a different stance on the subject...and if you look to see where your stance is lying, you will find it's now in line with the world, not the Word.
This is such a deceptive tool that has become stronger and is now at the point where the media are able to persuade people into believing that a sin is wanted by the majority, when in actual fact, it's only wanted by the minority. However, because people don't want to be ostracised or bullied and made to feel like they're being unloving, they accept these lies as truth and so the minority ends up becoming the majority. Very divisive, very cunning (Acts 13:10).
As believers, Jesus wants His children to spend our time on things that are pure, holy and good.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
When we do this, we are able to stand firm in the faith and not be wavered by the world's teachings. Actually, I'd even go so far as to say that when we unplug from the world and plug in to God's Word, we will find that we will have a clearer vision of truth! Good and evil are seen distinctly -- which helps us to stay in the truth and not be swayed by the world's tactics.
It's so important to fill our eyes, ears, minds and hearts with only those things that are clean and good.
Psalm 101:3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
Friends, let's always be alert and of sober mind in these end days, protecting and guarding our hearts (Proverbs 4:23) from filth and renewing our mind in God's Word! I can ensure you that when you do, you will find your life so much more peaceful, joyful and having a deeper knowing of God's love surrounding you.
-- By Jen Ayling