Session 4 MEDIA THAT WILL DESTROY YOUR MIND

 

The Purpose of Media

·       TV, movies, music, books, etc. are all media that can stimulate and manipulate.

-       Media serves as a vehicle of COMMUNICATION (neutral) for information or entertainment

-       Media can STIMULATE your emotions and senses.

 -       Media can MANIPULATE your mind to influence your actions.

 

·       How does media stimulate and manipulate us?

-       Messages:  both direct and subliminal can come to us through media, either positively or negatively

 -       Direct:no hidden messages, no backward masking.

 -       Subliminal:messages that can be hidden in the BACKGROUND to affect the subconscious.

 -       Spirit:  Spirits influence spirits or a better was to say it isATTITUDES influence attitudes.

 Three Levels of Media:

·       Positive Media:  Honors and TEACHES Godly values; is explicitly Christian.

 ·       Neutral Media:  Does not necessarily PROMOTE Christian values but does not tear down or offer destructive material.

 ·       Negative Media:  The direct media is totally CONTRARY to Christian faith and values.

 The Importance of Choosing Media that Brings Life

-       “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, 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)

Five Reasons Why It is Important to Make Wise Media Choices

-       To guard your MIND from thoughts contrary to those of Christ Jesus.

-       To guard your SPIRIT from values contrary to those of Christ Jesus.

-       To guard your BODY from practicing in acts that has been influenced by media.

-       To guard your SOUL from eternal punishment caused by the thoughts of mind and spirit that caused the body to participate in sin. 

-       To guard your RELATIONS (wife, family, friends) from being destroyed.

 

How Can I Make Wise Choices For My Media?

-       “Everything is permissible for me – but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible for me – but I will not be mastered by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12)

 -       Nothing is prohibited, but the boundary is that not all things are BENEFICIAL

 -       We don’t want to be DOMINATED by anything. 

 -       This is not saying get rid of all MEDIA.

 -       Do not COMPROMISE your standard!

 -       “Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, then the love of the Father is not in him.”  (1 John 2:15)

 Do not be Influenced by Popular Opinion

               - “What does the believer have in common with an unbeliever?”

        (2 Corinthians 6:15)

 -       “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness our reverence for God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

  Ask Questions Based on Your Standards.

-       Ask if we should watch or listen to it.

 -       Ask “Would Jesus watch, listen to, surf, what I’m about to observe?”

 -       Does this edify (build up) my life?

 -       Do I have a better relationship with God because of it?

 -       Would I do what the people in the movie are doing or in a song singing about?

 -       Could I play or watch this on Sunday Morning in church in front of everyone

     there?