Movies, television shows, and music are great leisure activities from our usual busy and sometimes hectic lives. However, as Catholics, we should always be careful what we expose ourselves to in the secular media. After all, our hearts and our minds are fragile and can be easily swayed in a subtle way. Seeing how the media can affect us is almost startling. Depending on what we see and listen to, the way we think and act can change in small ways for the good or for the bad over time.
That is why I suggest that you always look into the ratings of movies and television shows before you watch them. Look up movie reviews from other Catholics, more specifically from priests and nuns. As for music, do not listen to songs that say God’s name in vain or that have suggestive content. These are avenues for sin to enter into our thoughts and our hearts. Listening to this type of music regularly can become a pathway of habitual sin. We must stay vigilant at all times.
Thus, watching and listening to positive and uplifting media is best. We should choose media that we would not be ashamed to receive if Christ were there in the room with us. Not only is our great mission here on earth to enter into Heaven, but our very own bodies and souls are sacred because we are temples of the Holy Spirit. As a consequence, we need to take care of them to the best of our ability, and that means being free from all sin.
Listed below are a couple of Sacred Scripture verses that speak of having Christlike thoughts and hearts.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Phil 4:8, 9
“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Another thing to remember is that we should not always be constantly engaging ourselves in the media. To live lives according to Christ, we have to make quiet time for our Lord Jesus Christ. So take a break from social media and your smartphone now and then as well. Turning off the computer and going outside is always good. Listen to the Lord who created you and look at God’s beautiful earth. Our Lord Jesus Christ loves and saves you with His sacrifice on the cross. He wants to have a loving relationship with you, not just now but for eternity.
Even if you do not feel close to God right now, there is no better time to start than the present. One way you can do this is by going to your local Catholic church. You can always light a candle in the church and tell the Lord what is on your mind and your heart. Make sure you make time to praise Him, thank Him, ask for His forgiveness, and give the Him your petitions. However, if you cannot make it to your church, you can always find a quiet place in your home and talk to Jesus there. He is always ready to listen to you. This guidance is even in Sacred Scripture:
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6: 5-8
Ultimately, when considering any movie, television show, or music we should always put Christ in our minds and our hearts first. What does not lead us to Christ, leads us against Him. Let us all hope that by our good thoughts and actions on earth, God says to us at the end of our lives, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.” Matthew 25:23
3 thoughts on “Beware the Media and Be Christlike”
Beautifully said! During Lent God moved me to give up listening to media all day long while I work. I discovered it made me miss my loved ones more and actively seek to spend more time with God and with my family and friends.
I really do believe that our smart phones are more like black mirrors used for divination in ancient times and that they trick us into bonding and forming relationships in the mirror rather than with real people.
In Fr Ripperger’s recent interview on the Shawn Ryan show he mentions how the master copies of movies and music are formally cursed to make them addictive and tempting for sin.
If you look at the lives of many of the founders of big tech companies they are almost always into the occult. Many talk about taking hallucinogens for the purpose of taking to “entities” that tell them what to do and what to build.
I believe that the master copies of code and software are being cursed and that we are spiritually suffering from it. I think this is being done intentionally for the purpose of making digital products addictive, numbing, a replacement for real human relationships, and tempting for sin.
Thank you, Diana, for this timely and insightful article. In this modern age, many unfortunately consume media with an incessant flurry of negative and immoral messages. This can lead to moral decline, as you stated. You present a wonderful antidote to this situation by means of staying vigilant, being aware of media ratings, and reading reviews by holy religious. I also enjoyed how you mentioned choosing to engage one’s senses in positive and wholesome media, taking a break from electronic devices when needed, and most importantly, fostering a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Well done!
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