ODJ: discerning the darkness
March 19, 2011
Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them (v.11).
READ: Ephesians 5:1-18
While working through a recent unit on Shakespeare with my sophomore students, I was reminded that the power of media is nothing new. Although its presentation today is perhaps more vivid, and therefore more memorable, the world of entertainment has had its place in culture for thousands of years. An ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, saw the cathartic nature of drama which, by engaging the audience, brings people into the action and allows them to become part of the story without leaving their seats. Media isn’t passive; it embraces us.
Colossians 1:13 reminds us, “For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” When considering the media we take in on a daily basis, we need to ask ourselves if it belongs in the kingdom of light or of darkness. Our flesh will not willingly expose its darkness (John 3:19-20). The more intimate we are with the Spirit, however, the more we readily discern light from darkness (Hebrews 5:14).
In a world that aggressively blurs the lines between good and evil, we must not forget that God is serious about our leaving behind the darkness to walk in the light of His Word. Excusing things as “no big deal” or refusing to surrender areas of our lives to God opens a door for the enemy to take us down a dangerous path. What may become a casual interest or attraction to things that are ungodly can later become an area of bondage in our lives.
God is amazingly powerful, and He has already overcome the darkness. He won’t take something out of our lives, however, if we’re unwilling to let it go. The choice is ours—light or darkness. We can’t have both. —Regina Franklin
In what ways has media been influential in your life—positively as well as negatively? In what ways is your media consumption filled with the Spirit?
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