Does media give us more or less control of our lives? Yes and no.

Computers and smartphones have certainly made some things easier, like research, shopping, communication, and work. However, for many Americans, media has become a domineering monster, grabbing more and more control.

Market Watch points out that Americans spend over 11 hours a day on media, whether that’s “watching videos, browsing social media and swiping their lives away on their tablets and smartphones.” “People spend most of their waking hours staring at screens.”

The Consequences of Omnipresent Media

An article from Biola University observes that social media, while providing digital connection, can, in fact, leave many disconnected and lonely. According to Dorothy Littlel Greco, “That loneliness is contributing to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z.”

Unfortunately, if left unchecked, the constant presence of media can easily crowd out the Holy Spirit’s presence. If I’m not careful, internet, emails, texts, and podcasts can replace scripture meditation (Psalm 1) and prayer (I Thessalonians 5:17).

Media: A Tool or Tyrant?

What’s the difference between a tool and a tyrant? We control tools; tyrants control us.

Ask yourself the following three questions to determine how much control media has in your life.

1. How much time do I spend on media?

Ephesians 5:16 exhorts us to “Redeem the time.” Literally, this phrase means “To buy back the opportunity.” 

Imagine you had exactly 1,520 pennies to spend every day. At the end of each day, whatever you hadn’t spent would be lost forever. 

Now, convert those pennies into the number of minutes you have each day. How many of those minutes are redeemed for eternity? 

As a simple exercise, for one week, track how much time you spend on media. Consider the following categories.

• Texting
• Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.,)
• Email
• Internet
• Music
• Youtube and video

Is God pleased with how you’re spending His time?

2. Why do I use media?

God owns our time, and He desires us to glorify Him with it. Colossians 1:16 proclaims, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”

Likewise, Psalm 24:1 states, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein.”

Do you use media for God’s glory? Or has it become an addiction or idol that demands your undivided focus?

3. Is media defiling or uplifting me?

Media is not neutral. It’s a powerful tool to be used for good or ill.

A film can be professionally produced, yet defiling. A book can be well-written, yet ungodly. 

In everything, we are called to follow holiness (Hebrews 12:14), and to be imitators “of God in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 5:1).

Is bad media defiling you, or is “good media” distracting you from God’s Word and real relationships?

Putting Media In Its Place

If media has taken too much control in your life, here are a few suggestions:

• Eliminate what doesn’t glorify Christ. Fill the void with God’s Word and real relationships.
• Do a media fast. Learn more about that here.
• Establish media boundaries.
• Listen to more scripture. My favorite app for this is Tecarta Bible.

May we all seek to love God with our heart, soul, and might, making media a tool to glorify Him, our Redeemer and Master.

QUESTION: How can media be used for evil? How can media be used for good?

Resources

7 Ways to Make Your Smartphone Your Servant and Not Your Master [blog post]

Captivated: Finding Freedom in a Media Captive Culture by Phillip Telfer [documentary]

Media Talk 101 [website, ministry]

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the above post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend books I personally have read and believe will add value to my readers. I may not personally agree with everything stated in the recommended books, but I have benefited from each book in some way.