If you haven’t noticed, our society is swiftly shifting into a new normal. With the continuous bombardment of information and endless entertainment, the well-coined, “popcorn brain,” has emerged, declaring that the average American spends so much time scrolling social media and the plethora of TV shows that it’s actually rewiring our brains. Recent studies show that it is becoming more and more difficult to focus on long term tasks, some even claiming that it’s leading to a rise in mental illness.
So, today I challenge you to get through this article without the need to check your phone or get sidetracked by some other digital force. Training our brains to focus for longer periods of time will not only help us with mental endurance and ward off that need to gain the next dopamine hit, but more importantly it will empower us to seek real wisdom that comes from our God.
Fellow followers of Christ, we need to pay attention, equip ourselves with truth, and lean into our faith as we live in a world that is quickly becoming emersed with dark and deceitful distractions. First, recognize that God wants us to use our time wisely (Ephesians 5:15-16) and not allow entertainment to become an idol in our lives (Leviticus 19:4). God also wants us to place our sights on what is true, noble, and right, and pure (Philippians 4:8), knowing that harmful images can be burned into the depths of our minds, causing irrevocable damage.
What Does the Bible Say about Screentime?
"So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days." - Ephesians 5:15-16
“Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God." - Leviticus 19:4
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." - Philippians 4:8
Is Excessive Screentime a Sin?
While screentime isn’t a sin, misuse or abuse of it is. That said, we must train our minds to be intentional as we pick up our phones or reach for the remote to check out the latest news, shows, or movies. By filtering what we watch using the lens of our faith, we can gain mental clarity and peace of mind, not bending to the popcorn brain phenomenon but rather seeking to train our brains to align with God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will.
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1. Set Healthy Boundaries
The Bible is very clear about the importance of setting boundaries in every aspect of our lives. But where should Christians draw the line when it comes to entertainment and what they decide to watch? Is this a personal choice, or does God direct us in His Word on how to handle this issue? Let’s open up our Bibles and find out!
What Does the Bible Say about What We Watch?
Proverbs 4:23 commands us to guard our hearts. 1 Corinthians 6:12 tells us that we have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial. 1 John 2:15-17 portrays a powerful message to not love this world or the fleshly desires it brings as it only causes us to stray from the Father.
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." - Proverbs 4:23
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. - 1 Corinthians 6:12
"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." -1 John 2:15-17
As you consider setting healthy boundaries around your screen time, ask yourself these questions.
- What do your mornings generally look like? Is it consumed with a screen or a time to pause and pray?
- How much time do you generally spend on screens, mindless scrolling, or engaging with other sources of entertainment?
- What media or shows are you typically drawn to?
Setting healthy boundaries comes with creating limits for use and being consistent. Start with a predictable schedule to retrain your brain. Establish a routine where phones and screens can be used and a time in which they will be shut down and turned off. At the same time, be patient with yourself and realize that if you stumble and fall, you can always pick yourself back up and try again (Proverbs 24:16).
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2. Embrace Silence and Stillness
Friend, as much as our screens lure us with tantalizing notifications and can bend us into sinful addictions, we must be honest with ourselves and face the reality that as a society, we have forgotten how to be still and silent. In fact, being still is quite uncomfortable, and the new norm is to quickly glance at our phone when we have a millisecond of vacant space in our day. Unfortunately, our digital devices and streaming services have given us this false sense of security.
However, could you imagine if every time you had the urge to reach for your phone or turn on the TV to binge-watch the next episode of Cobra Kia, you grabbed your Bible instead? Think about how your life might be different if that were the case. Maybe your anxiety would wane, or the bitterness with that challenging colleague would subside.
We must be willing to embrace the awkward silence and stillness and strive to follow through and just be present without any distractions. God tells us to be still, and then we will know Him (Psalm 46:10). In other words, stillness shouldn’t be an option; it should be an obligation and even seen as a huge honor as we meet with God, giving Him our undivided attention.
We can start by creating new habits and plan on feeling that void by seeking God first. Whether that looks like taking a long walk and conversing with Him in prayer, writing in a spiritual notebook, or opening up your Bible, just get still and quiet and learn the beauty in those moments.
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3. Head the Holy Spirit
Quite possibly, the most alarming concern about the current digital landscape is the fact that it is numbing our minds by disintegrating our cognitive ability to seek discernment. That said, it isn’t hard to see that the enemy is at work behind the scenes (and screens) here. No pun intended. The brutal truth is that Satan would love for nothing more than to pull us away from God, consuming our minds with questionable content. In many cases, no matter how hard we try to avoid it, evil still rears its ugly head and captivates our attention through these devices.
Yet, while it is good to know of the sneaky tactics of the enemy, prompting us to use various safety measures, it means absolutely nothing if we cannot display self-control (Proverbs 25:28). When it comes to entertainment, real discipline, and self-control comes from heeding the gentle and convicting nudge that comes from the Holy Spirit. We can recognize the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we navigate the many streaming platforms in three distinct ways.
3 Ways to Recognize the Holy Spirit in Your Daily Life
- Become familiar with God’s Word. That way, you can tell if the voice of conviction is over the deceiving voice of condemnation (1 John 1:9, Hebrews 11:6, John 15:7, and John 16:8).
- Allow faithful followers to hold you accountable (Proverbs 27:17).
- Pause and pray for wisdom and discernment before you even take a glance at any screen (James 1:5).
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4. Pursue Wholesome Content
Lastly, if we really want to remain sober mind and not allow ourselves to become consumed by the world’s standards, we need to eagerly pursue wholesome content. Sounds easier said than done, since the vast majority of networks are promoting an agenda or view that goes completely against God and His Word. So, what do we do?
While Little House on the Prairie is always an option, sometimes we just want to be able to sit down and watch a movie with our family or spouse without wondering if it will bend a certain way. The good news is there are more networks that are taking a stance on this issue and aiming to promote faith and family first! Great American Family, Angel Studios, Dove Network, and Pure Flix are just a few of those networks you may want to check out. The point is that we have options, and even more are becoming steadily available as faithful people are speaking up for networks to share more wholesome content for their families.
Another option and valuable resource is Common Sense Media. Their mission is to share details and statistics on certain movies and TV shows, giving insight from a Christian perspective. This gives parents peace of mind and another avenue to seek discernment as they look for entertainment that will prove fitting for their family.
In closing, we must remember as believers we have a choice in what we watch and consume on a daily basis. It all starts with setting healthy boundaries, guarding our hearts and time, heeding the Holy Spirit, and pursuing wholesome content. Let’s strive to flip the script and not become mindless scrollers or binge watchers but retrain our brains to seek after what is good, honorable, and noble, nourishing us from the inside out!
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Glenn Carstens-Peters
Originally published Tuesday, 05 November 2024.