What are you feeding your spirit?

Music. Television. Social Media.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:23-27

The Lord tells us to guard our hearts. What we allow into our hearts, is what leads to our actions. Because of technology we are able to consume information faster than ever and due to certain social media algorithms, we are fed with an agenda. Even with all the shorts on YouTube, and the TikTok videos, you can be receiving two different messages at the same time. You get the message that is being said with words, and then there is the message implied from the music and the pictures. An article by Psychology Today explains how what we choose to watch and listen to can make us less healthy, less resilient, and more vulnerable to stress, anxiety and depression (What you Watch Matters, By Carrie Barron MD).

As Christians, we must remember that whatever we are consuming is either feeding our flesh, or it’s feeding the spirit.  I wrote a previous blog titled, The Battle, talking about the flesh vs the spirit. The conclusion was that whatever we feed, is what grows, and whatever we starve is what dies.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8

But for this blog post, I wanted to spend some time talking about the music we listen to, the things we watch, and the social media we take in. We are literally always consuming something. And to be honest, most of it is not helping us grow into mature believers. It is hindering us. We know the enemy is crafty and is always finding small and subtle ways to draw us further from Christ. And what easier way for him to get closer to us than by the things we take in multiple times throughout the day?!

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

A lot of the music that we listen to everyday talks about sex, money, violence, love and drugs. Whether consciously or subconsciously, some of the most common feelings that arise from this type of music are lust, pride, lovers of self, sexual thoughts, jealousy, and creating idols. These are the exact things that Paul warns us about in the book of Timothy.

But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Now if you know me, you know I love some good R&B music! I always have! But when I think about it, the music really brings about feelings that lead me back to my flesh. It isn’t cleansing my heart and leading me closer to Christ, instead it is leading back to my former life that is full of lust, impurity, aggression, and selfishness. We try to tell ourselves that it’s just music, the beat is good, it’s just a good vibe. And while yes all of those are true, by constantly listening to this music, we are rehearsing the lyrics over and over in our heads. As this topic has been placed on my heart, I’ve noticed myself listening to the lyrics more. And honestly…………………yeah it is a lot.

But besides the music, we have the TV shows, movies, and other things we take in by sight. I’ve become overly sensitive with my eyes. Certain things have just become too much for me. A lot of shows that I used to enjoy watching, it’s not as enjoyable. All the guns, drugs, cursing, sex scenes, killing, toxic relationships, it’s becoming too much. Being aware of your season is very important. I believe God will interrupt what seems normal when he wants to bring our attention to something. When we spend a lot of time in God’s presence, he will continue to mold us into His image. If there is anything that is keeping us from getting where he wants us to be, he will highlight it so it can be addressed. Sin is what keeps us at a distance from God, and our actions that lead to sin start in our thoughts. When we notice that we are having overly anxious, perverted, and unholy thoughts, we must take a deeper look at what we are feeding our minds. Also watching too much news and documentaries can lead to thoughts of worry and panic. While being cautious is always necessary, being fearful can be a hinderance to where God is leading you. The books we read can also affect us. When I was younger, I really enjoyed Urban Fiction, but now I know why my Mom didn’t want me reading it, lol.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

A huge part of social media is used for marketing and influence. When used in this way, it is meant to influence your thoughts and decisions. We must be careful and continue to walk in step with the Holy Spirit to know when something is pushing us in the wrong direction. God wants us to focus on the things of above.

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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

So sometimes we have to take a break from not just social media, but all media outlets. Anything that the enemy that could be using against you because he too knows you very well. He knows what causes you to fall, what causes you to take your focus of our Heavenly Father. Don’t be fooled by the many schemes of the enemy. I’ve been able to find some great gospel music and created some playlists that have a soul R&B and rap feel.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 15-20

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