In ancient days, various kinds of boats were used by people to sail at sea before the invention of engines. Perhaps row-boats were the most primitive. Another was sailboats that were propelled by sails of cloth, canvas or mats supported by masts. Row-boats had its limitation, because it depended on human muscles.

Now think of sail-boats. One could never predict a time of reaching its destination because it depended mainly on wind that blew. In modern times, we have steamboats or engine-driven boats and ships. Engine driven boats or ships are predictable and powerful to cut across the strong undercurrents and tempests in the sea.

Long ago I read about three types of Christians similar to these vessels. There are rowboat-Christians and sailboat-Christians who wear out in the course of their troublesome journey, whose course of sail is quite often determined by winds and currents. They lack a resolute mind and strong will to go against the wind of peer pressure, evil tendencies, snobbishness, vogues, fashion parades etc. We can lead an active steady course of life only if we have power within to run on our own rather than depend on misguiding pressures.

One of the areas wherein we must be strong-willed is the media. While one confronts the modern media, it would be advisable to thoroughly check it in the following acronym method:

M - Message- what is the message and how is it coming across

E – Effect – What is the effect of this on me?

D- Damage- will I suffer damage from this?

I- instead- what could I be doing instead?

A- Ask God- does this glorify God, would I feel comfortable with Jesus in the room?

When we deal with media threat, it includes that of both electronic and print media. We are very fortunate to have modern inventions like television, computer, etc. Unless we use them discreetly the odds are hazardous. I happened to read in Our Daily Bread long ago a humorous clipping about turning T.V. into V.C.R. It suggested turning Television into ‘Very Controlled Resource.’ Such is the case of all resources such as Internet, Mobile phones, etc. Confronted by evil in media, let’s ask ourselves a few questions and find answers.

What about Harry Potter books? Are they good for us? It’s important to evaluate any book by the teaching of the Bible. God loves us and He calls us to prayerfully consider if any book will help us grow in our relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. If we recognize spiritual danger, we should choose to avoid that book and fill our hearts and minds with God’s Word and writings that agree with it.

What kinds of TV programs are okay to watch? As you spend time in God’s Word and in prayer, the heart and desires of God will grow in your life, and your sensitivity to good and evil will grow. Many serials have a negative influence upon society. Whenever sin is made to seem good and attractive, as is true in many sit-coms (short for situation comedy), one should avoid them.

As Billy Graham says,” The Christian is to be in the world, but not of it- separated from it, and yet a witness to it- not molded by it, but manifesting Christ to it- not ensnared in it, but exerting an influence for good over it - not compromising with the world, but challenging it- not coming down to its level, but seeking to lift souls up to a higher level.”

Many young people find themselves in a dilemma regarding what is sin and what is not. They ask whether listening to mainstream music is sin, or partaking a rendezvous is sin, and the list goes on and on. How can we know if something is a sin if the Bible doesn’t give a clear command forbidding it?

One way is to listen to your conscience. Romans 14:23 tells us that if we don’t have faith to do a certain thing, then it is a sin to do it. If you are spending time with God every day in prayer and reading His word, your conscience will become trained to distinguish what’s right or wrong. Another way to know if something is a sin to ask, “Does this glorify God?” Do your words and actions tell yourself and others how great God is?

Trust God to guide you about this issue. God bless you!