The Power of the Feed: Training Your Mind in the Age of Media
02From the moment we wake up, our minds are open for business, and the media is aware of it. Notifications ping, headlines flash, videos autoplay. Before we’ve even brushed our teeth, we’ve been handed a plate full of opinions, ads, and images we never asked for.
It’s no accident. In our world, attention is currency. And the competition for it is fierce.
Media Shapes More Than You Think
It’s tempting to think we’re immune: I can watch this and not be influenced or I just scroll to relax. However, the truth is that everything we watch, hear, and read leaves a lasting impression.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:22–23a (NIV), “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness!”
In other words, what we allow in through our eyes and ears doesn’t just pass through; it shapes the light or darkness inside us. Over time, even small doses of negativity, compromise, or fear can accumulate, subtly shifting our perspective without us realizing it.
Your Feed Is Your Diet
Think of your media like food. A slice of cake now and then isn’t harmful, but if your whole diet is sugar, your body will suffer. Likewise, a steady stream of gossip, outrage, or ungodly values will weaken your spirit.
Ask yourself:
- Does my media intake leave me encouraged or empty?
- Am I more anxious after scrolling than before?
- Is my worldview being shaped more by my feed than by my faith?
Romans 12:2a (NIV) says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Renewal doesn’t happen by accident; it’s the result of intentional choices.
Lead Your Media, Don’t Let It Lead You
We don’t have to live at the mercy of algorithms. We can choose:
- Curate your feed. Follow accounts and watch programs that point you toward truth and hope.
- Set limits. Not every trend or viral moment deserves your time.
- Talk about it. Discuss what you’re watching with your family and friends and why it matters to you.
- Replace, don’t just remove. Swap draining content for worship music, sermons, podcasts, or uplifting stories.
Be a Messenger, Not Just a Consumer
We’re not called to hide from culture; we’re called to influence it. That means creating and sharing messages of hope, speaking truth, and modeling a different way to live.
Philippians 4:8b (NIV) gives us the filter: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
When that becomes the test for what we watch and post, our media habits stop draining us and start discipling us and others in the right direction.
Guard Your Mind, Protect Your Peace
You can’t stop every ad, notification, or headline from crossing your path. But you can decide which ones get to stay.
Your mind is a battlefield, and media is one of the enemy’s favorite tools. Don’t hand him the microphone. Guard your eyes, train your thoughts, and let God’s truth be the loudest voice you hear.
Because in a world shouting for your attention, your peace is worth protecting.
