Lies, Slander, Hate — How to Guard Your Mind in a Culture of Verbal Abuse

Words of discord, division and hate (I don’t like to use that word but it is so appropriate today) are being shared and embraced. They race like a cancer through our culture and we don’t even realize we are sick!

Where ever we go, there is information and disinformation being streamed and displayed. We can hardly get away from a constant bombardment of data! Included in this data are the subtle and not so subtle values of those who favor greed, pleasure, consumption and racism! It is nearly impossible to keep these things from assaulting our senses and our minds!

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

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 (NIV)

These two verses remind us of the importance of constant vigilance about what is entering our senses and staying in our hearts and minds.

Protect Yourself!

So, how do we guard our hearts? How do we take captive every thought?

Feed on the Word of God. We must ensure that we have a strong diet of God’s truth. This must be what we read, listen to and meditate on! That means we must have a time of simply being in our Bibles to learn and grow. It also means that we need to be feeding on God’s Word throughout the day.

Turn off everything contrary. It may be impossible to totally eliminate everything that is not in accordance with God’s truth. We can, however, take dramatic steps to eliminate things that keep us from hearing God. Stop following people on your social media pages that present images and thoughts that are destructive. Avoid listening to radio stations that bombard you with sexual messages. Stop watching television shows that glamorize immorality. Don’t play video games that display violence, illegal and immoral activity.

Turn on the good. Listen to good wholesome music on your radio. Find social media feeds that will help you grow and give you encouragement and positive direction.

Go for silence. Try to take time of quiet to listen to God and speak to him. Ask for his direction. Turn off all inputs from time to time. Turn off the car radio. Close your laptop, leave your phone in the other room. Turn off the TV. Try to remove all these distractions from time to time.

I know, easier said than done!

Stay engaged. In other words, don’t let media around you pour into your life without paying attention to it! Whatever you see or hear, ask yourself: “Is this true? Is this good to hear or see? Does this reflect the values of someone who is following Jesus?”

Finally

The effect of the world we live in is subtle and powerful. We have 168 hours every week. How many hours are we spending engaged in worldly media? How many hours are we spending engaged in God’s truth? Embracing the values of the Kingdom of God are essential for all followers of Jesus.

Determination and commitment will help you feed your heart and mind with the good and discard the bad!

What will you do with this today? What will you do with this right now? It’s your move!