Mark 4:24 NIV, “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.”

Hello OTP Family!! I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of time scrolling on my phone (way too much time – if I’m being honest). Because our smart phones are minicomputers, we have access to more information (24 hours a day) than what is necessary or beneficial to our souls/spirits. Most of this information is depressing or designed to keep our outer man busy to the point where we do not recognize that this information if boring into our subconscious mind and trying to find its way into our very heart. After prolonged exposure we begin to change the way we think, act and react. We become desensitized to violence and sexual amorality. 

Some will argue that this is progress. That a lot of good can come from such immediate access to information. That I would not disagree. But as with anything we do need to approach this access from the standpoint of temperance. We need to exercise self-control regarding what we access, when we access, and for how long we will access the information. We must also be prepared to due ‘due diligence’ on the information accessed because ‘fake news’ is real. Everything we see online we cannot take it as truth or real. AI has shown us that this is such a true statement. AI can take what is fake look so real and reasonable that we must do what the bible says and begin to operate in the spirit of Godly discernment.

Guard Your Ears

Why? Because what you hear comes with roots. If we do not carefully consider what we hear that information can take root in our heart and propel us toward challenges and troubles that we would not otherwise have to battle. 

Just a little consideration of the source can save our peace.

Just like we will not allow just anyone (influence) into our physical homes. That’s why we have video doorbells. We need to see who is trying to access our homes. We must be just as diligent when it comes to what comes into this physical body via our ears (and our eyes too!). 

Looking at Mark 4:24, we need to consider what we hear. Not just the hearing of a thing, but also what impact we allow that information to have on us. We are warned that if we keep allowing these ungodly influences to reign in our bodies we will get more of the same added to us. Conversely, if we limit or remove these, and allow the goodness of God to rule in us, that will also be multiplied to us as well.

Encouragement

Mindfulness activity time. Check in with yourself. Evaluate where you are right now. Consider – have you allowed certain influences to reign unchecked in your life? Have these influences changed how you think, react or feel about certain topics? If so, carefully consider – is this a good change? Is it biblically sound, with a foundation that is based in the word of God? Or have you allowed these influences to direct you toward compromise that supports secular agenda?

Other than God, no one knows you better than you do yourself. Only you can honestly answer these questions. 

I encourage you to prayerfully consider these questions. Then allow God to direct your steps moving forward. Let us all repent and be spiritually clean together.

Prayer Time

Pray with me…

Lord, I submit my body (especially ears and eyes) to you as instruments of righteousness. Everything that I am is yours. When I face temptation, help me look for your way of escape instead of trying to defeat this temptation on my own strength.

Help me to submit to your voice as you speak ‘that’s enough’ to my spirit during my scrolling time. Help me to find other ways to occupy my time and my mind that will bring glory to your name. 

Lord, I believe you for this and thank you for your assistance in advance. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

 Have a blessed day OTP family!!