Resisting the world’s influence in a connected age

November 2, 2024

The tools of modern media are powerful, but with wisdom, intention, and God’s guidance, we can ensure they serve rather than hinder our walk with him.

I want to consider the power of technology and media—particularly social media—starting with an unexpected source: Revelation 20. This passage, while complex, introduces a theme that resonates with our modern, digitally connected world. In Revelation 20:1-3, we see Satan being bound and then released, allowed for a “little while” to roam freely, spreading deception among the nations. In that period, Satan’s mission is clear. He seeks to influence, deceive, and spiritually corrupt.

The application may not be immediately obvious, but I hope you’ll see that it’s deeply relevant. When we examine the landscape of modern media—the Internet, television, movies, and especially social networks—we find a powerful parallel. Modern media, like Satan’s release in Revelation 20, has the power to influence rapidly, to deceive widely, and to pull many into spiritual darkness. Our digital tools are neither inherently good nor evil, yet the potential for harm is great. As believers, we must be vigilant and discerning, aware of the subtle and often dangerous influence media can have on our lives and minds.

Media as a tool for deception

The deception of mass reach

The power of modern media lies in its ability to spread messages faster and wider than ever before. This is a double-edged sword. It enables people to stay informed, connect, and even share the gospel in creative ways. But it also allows deception, spiritual darkness, and sin to spread at an unprecedented rate. Think about how quickly a trend, belief, or idea can spread through just one viral video, tweet, or news article. Today, someone can spread a message worldwide in moments, reaching millions with a click.

Imagine the early church. Scholars often note that the gospel spread swiftly in its first centuries partly due to innovations in the Roman Empire—shared roads, unified language, and freedom of movement. Yet, at that time, the message that went out was Christ-centered and truth-bearing. In contrast, the messages spreading most rapidly today often promote anything but godliness. They champion secular values, and too often, they glorify sin and lead people away from truth. As we watch this unfold, it is hard not to see a striking parallel to Satan’s release in Revelation 20. With the potential for spiritual deception woven throughout, modern media acts as a channel for mass influence, with much of it leading away from God.

Normalization of sin and cultural influence

In Genesis 11, we read about the Tower of Babel, a story about the compounding effects of human unity when people come together in sin. When we’re surrounded by like-minded influence, especially in ways that encourage wrongdoing, it fuels and accelerates ungodliness. Media has this same compounding effect. It unifies messages and normalizes sin.

For example, consider the messages embedded in much of popular entertainment. A “family-friendly” movie may seem harmless at first glance, yet it can subtly promote ideas that stand in direct opposition to biblical truth. Take The Little Mermaid. On the surface, it’s a simple story about a young girl seeking happiness, but look closer, and you’ll see that its protagonist rebels against her father, defies authority, and pursues a dangerous goal based solely on her immature feelings. The film subtly endorses a message that individual happiness justifies any action, even disobedience. This story’s message appears consistently across media: personal happiness is the ultimate pursuit, and moral boundaries are flexible.

Second Timothy 3 warns us that in the last days, people will be “lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy” (2Ti 3:2) Even in seemingly harmless entertainment, many of these behaviors are glorified, setting a secular and self-centered example for viewers. This is not to suggest that every form of entertainment is harmful, but it does mean that what we consume matters. Repeated exposure to subtle messages that normalize sin and rebellion can wear down our spiritual defenses over time.

Practical responses for Christians in the age of media

Recognizing and resisting subtle influence

The influence of media is often subtle, like the serpent’s approach to Eve in Genesis 3. Satan’s tactic with Eve was not to frighten her but to gently suggest doubt. “Did God actually say…?” (Ge 3:1). With that one question, Satan planted a seed of doubt, leading her to reconsider what God clearly commanded. In the same way, media often does not confront us with blatant wickedness but rather with ideas, perspectives, and temptations that appear benign, at least at first.

Take, for example, the story of a young Christian woman I read about who became an atheist, not through outright rebellion but through exposure to certain perspectives on social media. She entered Twitter intending to share her faith, but gradually, the kindness and respect shown by atheists—contrasted with the perceived judgmentalism of her fellow Christians—caused her to rethink her beliefs. She ultimately rejected her faith because of a subtle influence that led her away from the truth. The serpent was polite and non-threatening, but the result was devastating.

In Ephesians 6, Paul urges us to put on the “armor of God” to “stand against the schemes of the devil” (Eph 6:11). If Satan’s schemes are sometimes as simple as exposing us to a steady flow of secular messages, we must counter that by actively seeking out God’s truth. Without vigilance, it’s easy to slowly conform to the world’s thinking instead of being transformed by the renewal of your minds (Ro 12:2).

Re-evaluating the necessity of modern media

It’s worth asking whether we even need this level of media exposure. For many of us, media has become so embedded in our daily lives that we don’t consider what life might look like without it. But the truth is, we don’t need modern media to live faithful and fulfilling lives.

For over 5,000 years, humanity functioned without smartphones, social media, and 24/7 news. And yet, within just the last century, technology has accelerated to the point where these tools seem indispensable. I once decided to step away from most of my digital devices and platforms for approximately one year. It was difficult at first. I kept reaching for my phone, feeling the urge to check the news, open an app, or browse social media. Yet, over time, the constant desire to check the digital world faded. I felt a renewed sense of peace and presence, noticing the world around me and feeling less distracted.

Jesus asked, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mk 8:36). If technology and media tempt us toward sin or keep us from experiencing life fully, perhaps we should consider limiting or even eliminating their presence in our lives. It’s not a matter of legalism but of wisdom. In Mark 9, Jesus says, “If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell” (Mk 9:47-48). While he wasn’t speaking literally, his words illustrate the seriousness with which we should view sin. Sometimes, it’s worth taking extreme measures to guard our souls.

A balanced approach to media

Modern media’s influence is powerful, both for good and for harm. As Christians, we must approach it with discernment, always aware of the potential for spiritual deception and moral erosion. While media can be used constructively, without careful boundaries, it often draws us toward messages and behaviors that conflict with God’s call on our lives.

Remember Paul’s warning in Ephesians: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:15-16). Every moment we spend in front of a screen is a moment spent either growing toward God or drifting away. So, we should approach our media habits prayerfully, considering whether they bring us closer to Christ or lure us subtly, step-by-step, into the world’s influence. The tools of modern media are powerful, but with wisdom, intention, and God’s guidance, we can ensure they serve rather than hinder our walk with him.