The intended and unintended consequences of media use are an ongoing topic of ethical, cultural, psychological, and religious discourse. While the Bible does not expressly mention ‘media’, principles and guidelines about responsible communication and the nature of truth inherent in its text provide timeless wisdom for engaging with media in our fast-paced digital age.
What the Bible Says About Truth and Discernment
Media often serve as conduits for truth, but they can also disseminate falsehood and disinformation. The Bible underscores the importance of seeking truth and discernment to avoid being carried away by deceitful words or shifted opinions. It also speaks to the conduct of individuals, advocating for the honest, gentle, and respectful communication of ideas and opinions. Further, it encourages the process of discernment, a careful critical examination in pursuit of truth, when engaging with information and narratives presented in media.
Why Managing Media Consumption Matters
Consuming media is not inherently harmful. Nevertheless, irresponsible, excessive, or improper consumption can lead to deleterious effects ranging from unhealthy relationships, emotional disturbances to spiritual stagnation. Like pursuits in all other aspects of life, the Bible emphasizes balance and control. The focus is on prioritization, ensuring that important aspects of life such as personal growth, relationships, and communion with the divine are not sidelined due to the compulsive consumption of media.
How the Bible Guides Interaction With Media
Media, like any other tool, can be used for good or ill. The Bible offers guidance on how to interact with it responsibly. Personal integrity, thoughtful evaluation, and considerate engagement are emphasized. The content we create, the messages we endorse, and the debates we engage in should be a reflection of our values, principles, and commitment to truth. While it encourages critical reception of media content, it also advocates for the peaceable exchange of ideas and respect for differing points of view.
Who is Responsible in a Media-driven Culture
In a media-saturated society, everyone bears the responsibility to safeguard truth, promote responsible use, and mitigate the negative impact of media. Bible teachings emphasize collective responsibility in upholding truth and integrity. The Bible teaches that each person plays a part in shaping the culture and society they are part of. Therefore, it is the duty of every media consumer, creator, and regulator to be diligent in their role in maintaining the good and minimizing the ill effects of media.
Where the Bible To Use Media for Positivity
The Bible underscores using any form of communication, including media, in a manner that builds up, encourages, and benefits the community. Media can be used to bring about positivity and change, fostering unity and understanding, promoting social justice, and sharing uplifting messages. It teaches the power of using word and image to inspire, persuade, and shape society in beneficial ways.
Below is the full list of bible verses on media (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Media
Luke 11:34
“34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.”
Philippians 4:8
“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Related Themes: Lust Gossip Attitude Complaining
Psalm 101:3-4
“3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.”
Isaiah 52:7
“7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
“21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Related Themes: Discernment Perseverance Lust
1 Corinthians 15:33
“33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Related Themes: Dating Friendship Morals Reputation Morality
1 John 2:15-17
“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
Related Themes: Lust Pride Money Social Justice
James 3:5-11
“5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”
Matthew 6:22-23
“22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”
Related Themes: Eyes Discernment Light Hate
Psalm 101:3
“3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”
Mark 9:43-47
“43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:”
Ephesians 5:19-20
“19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”
Isaiah 21:2
“2 A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.”
Colossians 3:16
“16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 6:12-13
“12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.”
Related Themes: Addiction Technology Freedom Gluttony Sports
Matthew 18:9
“9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.”
Related Themes: Hell
Ephesians 5:11
“11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
Related Themes: Gossip Speaking Up Disrespect Adultery Enabling
Psalm 150:1-6
“1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
Related Themes: Music Earth Creativity Singing
Habakkuk 2:2
“2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”
Related Themes: Business Vision Setting Goals Vision Organization
Romans 12:2
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Creativity Attitude Business
Ephesians 5:3
“3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;”
Romans 6:16-22
“16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
Ephesians 5:15-16
“15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Related Themes: Wisdom Procrastination Life Wisdom Pleasing God
Luke 1:1-4
“1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”
Related Themes: Criticism
