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Are Social Media Preachers Dangerous?

Oluwaseyi Sobogun
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Are Social Media Preachers Dangerous?

There is a new phenomenon of something known as a “social media preacher”. These are people who have not necessarily been ordained, taught or elected by a local church to preach but are doing so anyway through other means. Their pulpits are Instagram and Twitter, sometimes even TikTok and we become their congregation by watching through our screens. Many of us may see this as a harmless way to preach about Christ. A lot of us may have even applauded some of these preachers but what if they are more harmful than useful? Have we considered the potential issues that may arise from this type of preaching? And has social media become the marketplace for confusion about biblical theology?

Consider the potential issues

Once upon a time the only occasion we would hear the gospel preached was on a Sunday, as we sat in a pew listening to a preacher on the pulpit. Occasionally, we may have heard it through people evangelising on the streets or even at a small group during the mid-week. Nevertheless, the teaching we would receive would be from people who had counsel, community, and unity in their understanding of the Word. Together they aimed to share the truth and build others up in the faith, as it should be.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 

Ephesians 4:11-12

This is not a disqualification or esteem of certain preachers over others but an observation. Now more than ever, we hear multiple variations of the word preached every single day. If you scroll through your Twitter feed, you can find many different people tweeting about Jesus and other related biblical issues. Unfortunately, given that there are people are tweeting and sharing contradicting information with one another, this poses a problem. The new social media preacher can assert authority over what they share without the accountability of leaders, elders, and fellow church members. This can lead to a distorted view of the Word, false teaching and overall, create confusion. Evidently, not all operate in this way but the few that do are worth this warning.

 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

Is social media the best place?

The fact is, we are all online. We are going to come across this type of content on our social media pages. It can be confusing if we are presented with varying theologies all the time. So, what can we do to reduce the confusion?

  1. Reduce the amount of information we consume – Unfollow- it can be a simple solution but we do not tend to do it as often as we should, especially when we admire the person. However, if our ‘favourite’ starts tweeting or sharing something that is completely contradictory to the truth, we must take action. This could include muting or completely unfollowing them. For we cannot allow ourselves to be easily influenced.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming

Ephesians 4:14

There will be false teachers, but not everyone who says something incorrect is a false teacher. We must be discerning. Sometimes additional guidance is needed. If we are able to correct them, I would encourage that too. But we cannot know if teaching is false and correct anyone if we do not know the truth ourselves.

  • Check the Word – we hear a lot about the Berean Christians (Acts 17:10-15) and we are told to be like them but what does that mean? It is to go back, check what we have heard. We can do this by double-checking the scriptures (even in articles like this one) to ensure they are the truth. Thankfully, we have been equipped with the Word and the Holy Spirit. In addition to trusting the Holy Spirit, it is important to have wise counsel. For example, talking to mentors, pastors and trusted Christian confidants about the new information. Sometimes fleshing out our questions and doubts can help us to gain a better understanding.

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so

Acts 17:11

Ultimately, we will often be presented with new information. We must learn how to filter through to the truth without being swayed every way. Sadly, it seems social media is becoming more saturated with this type of “influencer”, not less. It might be time to stop engaging with the content completely. Either way, let us be diligent in our pursuit of knowledge and never forget the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ.

Do You Have A Disrupted Fellowship With God?

Chude Obuaya
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Do You Have A Disrupted Fellowship With God?
Prefer to listen? Listen here!

The gospel offers the sinner many promises. Among these promises is a reality that can be easily forgotten – fellowship with God. The gospel declares that not only can we have union with God but that we can also enjoy fellowship with God. This divine reality finds its root in the beginning when God establishes a covenant with Adam (Genesis 2:16). Sin destroyed the fellowship that mankind had with God; but through Christ this fellowship is restored. If you are a Christian, do you struggle to believe this? If you are non-Christian, do you long to partake in this?

Sin disrupts fellowship


Humans were made for God. We were made to reflect and revere the glory of God in all that we say, do or think. Sin distorts this reality since sin rejects the glory of God. To sin is to declare that there is something or someone else that can satisfy me more than God. The charge declared in Romans 3:9-12 is damning

“What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

Romans 3:9-12

This diagnosis defines the state of mankind. Our sin separates off from God and blinds us to our need for God. Yet, whilst we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:6,8). Not only are those who trust in Christ forgiven (Ephesians 1:7), they are reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18) and adopted by God (Romans 8:15). What sin sought to destroy, in Christ, God redeemed.

Grace restores fellowship


It can be difficult to believe that God loves you. Even more so to believe that God delights in you. Yet this is not hyperbole. The bible continuously reminds God’s people that they are loved (Psalm 18:19, Zephaniah 3:17, Isaiah 62:3-5, Psalm 149:4, 1 John 4:16, John 15:9-11). When personal failures occur, it disrupts our faith. Therefore, John calls for believers to confess their sin (1 John 1:9). Darkness cannot have fellowship with light (1 John 1:6). Confession of sin declares that your allegiance is to God. Confession is not earning a relationship with God, it confirms it. It states that I trust God to be who is – faithful (1 john 1:9 c.f. 1 Corinthians 1:9).

The good news is that this offer of fellowship is for sinners. Grace and mercy are readily available for all those who realise they need it (Matthew 9:12-13). We have all fallen short of the glory of God, but in Christ there is hope. Satan (your enemy) wishes to tempt you, like he did Eve, with the idea that God is withholding something from you. The devil is liar (John 8:44), God wants to give you the best thing in the world. He wants to give you Himself. My prayer is that God will open your eyes to see your sin and Christ’s saving grace (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). You were made for fellowship with God, come home.

Are We Free To Do Anything As Long As It’s Not A Sin?

Esther Babatunde
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Are We Free To Do Anything As Long As It’s Not A Sin?

In an age of libertinism, there is a culture that persuades the masses that we are free to do as we please, as long as it makes us happy. This poses the question; as Christians are we free to do anything as long as it’s not a sin?

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:20

An ambassador’s job is to represent the nation. This means that our jobs as Christians is to show God’s glory and to advertise Christ in the best possible way. While the role is a privilege and honour, it is also a responsibility.

Part of that responsibility is ensuring that our conduct does not cause others to sin or prevent others from joining the Kingdom. This often involves either going the extra mile, or not doing certain things, even if they are not sinful.

Not all lawful things are beneficial

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.

1 Corinthians 6:12

There are certain things that are not unlawful but can cause damage to the body of Christ. For example in the UK, smoking is lawful but it has the potential to kill. So many people choose not to smoke to protect their health. The Bible does not prohibit drinking alcohol but when we go out and have a drink Christians must be mindful not to create a tempting environment for Christians and non-Christians that still struggle with drunkenness. Also, as ambassadors of Christ, we must present ourselves in a way that shows Christ and protects his people.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:13 said;

So if what I eat causes another believer to stumble I will never eat meat again as long as I live for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble

1 Cor 1.18

Regardless of whether something is lawful, we are required by love to make selfless decisions. The Bible asks us to act with wisdom in consideration of the Gospel and souls.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Colossians 4:5

What’s the point of it all?

Whether we like it or not, our actions and words can either draw souls to Christ or discourage souls. Even the things that we say, and our character can negatively affect the souls that God cherishes so much.

An alcoholic could see a Christian drink alcohol which isn’t expressly called a sin in the Bible, and use it as justification for his/her continued alcoholism. Someone struggling with lust could be in a conversation with a married couple who is talking expressly about sex and it could negatively affect their battle with lust. None of the two actions are deemed sinful by the Bible, but the repercussions are negative.

It is imperative that we consider God and others when doing or saying things. You must consider if what you’re doing or are about to do can negatively impact your ability to win a soul to Christ. Or if it could inadvertently pull a saved soul into sin.

It may not sound fair, but it’s the responsibility we carry for the privilege of being God’s ambassadors. While we must be considerate, there are some things that are unavoidable.

How do we know when it’s not beneficial if it’s lawful?

  1. Feed on the Word: There is nothing happening now that the Bible doesn’t have a solution for or a lesson on. Whatever the Holy Spirit encourages you to do will be in line with the Word, because God is not fickle and He doesn’t change.
  2. Walk by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our guide and our teacher. As we apply the Word in our hearts; the Holy Spirit, He will lead you and teach you. He will let you know when what you’re doing has a negative impact on the Kingdom.
  3. Ask God for wisdom: God gives wisdom freely and His wisdom will allow you to decipher when and what you should or shouldn’t do.

Being an ambassador of Christ is a privilege, but it is also a responsibility that we have to guard jealously.

Remedies to a prayerless life

Chinedu Agwu
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Remedies to a prayerless life
Prefer to listen? Listen here!

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective- James 5:16

Prayer is an action often associated with someone of faith, but what does it entail exactly? Well, it involves petition (Philippians 4:6) as well as adoration (Psalm 144-150; Luke 1:46-55), confession (Psalm 51; Luke 18:13), and thanksgiving (Psalm 75; 1 Thessalonian 1:2). However, in simpler terms, it is a conversation with our father in heaven, creating space in our lives to seek His face and hear from Him.

Prayer is also an opportunity to intercede on the behalf of other people (Ephesians 6:18) as well as submit our will to God’s Will, allowing for His divine intervention to occur. As Christians prayer is important for us as it builds intimacy with God, cultivates us in our journey of faith and keeps us spiritually topped up.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

How do we know our prayer life has dwindled?

There can be some subtle symptoms of a waning prayer life, these can include weariness, falling into temptation, your language or countenance changes or you find yourself constantly being gripped by fear and anxiety (the symptoms are not exclusive to this list alone.) Things that can contribute to a waning prayer life include having a busy life where something or someone is competing with God’s place, or has become an idol in your life.

Secondly it could be because of committing a sin, we may feel shame and fear and so may not feel worthy enough to pray to our Father. Finally, and this may sound strange…but we may not pray as much when life is GOOD. You may think well everything is in tip top shape right now, so why pray! This being said, if unaddressed a prayerless life can lead to distance from God, developing a habit that is hard to break or leaving yourself vulnerable to spiritual attack.

Examples of prayer in the Bible

Jesus set the example when it came to prayer. Whilst being fully God and fully man, during His ministry on earth He often retreated to a quiet place to pray and speak to the Father. Even Jesus knew the importance of spending quality time with God to speak to Him and hear from Him (Luke 5:16, Mark 14:32-42).

Other examples include Daniel who often spent time praying on behalf of His people and giving thanks to God (Daniel 6, Daniel 9) and King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 19:14-19, where he pleaded with God for deliverance of his people from the hand of the Assyrian king. Furthermore, there is the famous praise and prayer in Acts 16:25, when Paul and Silas were imprisoned and this led to doors flying open and chains being loosed. Prayer can do this, it can open doors and break chains in our lives and those of others because it’s not our prayers that work, its the God who receives them who does the work.

Finally, there are countless prayers David prayed to God in the book of Psalms and Hannah’s prayer in her heart as she cried out to the Lord for a child (1 Samuel 1:9-18).

How to improve your prayer life

Remedies:

  • Read and meditate on the prayers from bible stories (You version bible app).
  • Ask a friend if they could be your prayer partner and pray once week or daily together.
  • Attend a bible study group.
  • Try to attend prayer nights and engage in corporate/collective prayer.
  • Creating times in the day to talk to God in the morning, whilst walking, jogging or before bed.
  • Engage in a fast: dry, Daniel or social media fast.
  • A retreat, take a weekend to leave your natural environment and retreat to a quiet place to draw closer to God.

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak

Matthew 26:41

As Christians living in a modern and fast paced world, we know that life can get very busy and the soul can get weary. Many people and things can compete for your attention and energy. However, when you notice that your prayer life is waning, cry out to God to draw you back to Him. Do whatever it takes to rebuild that prayer life and regain that intimacy, it is important that we remain connected to the vine (John 15) so that we can continue to live fruitful lives.

Is Anger A Sin?

Chinedu Agwu
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Is Anger A Sin?

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

James 1:19-20

Anger, a feeling of frustration, displeasure, and hostility. I think we can all admit that we have felt this emotion at varying levels before, be it with family, friends, in church or at work. Whilst this is an emotion that can arise in us, what does the Bible say about anger? Is it a sin? Is it not just a natural human response to unfair situations or something someone did to wrong us? As Christians what should be our response to anger and how can we effectively overcome it, to continue being the fragrance of Christ and not slaves to our flesh?

Is anger that dangerous?

What comes to mind when you think about anger? What memories are triggered in you? I believe at this point we all have a memory of being angry whether as a young child or fully grown adult. Anger is often a manifestation of unfulfilled lust, covetousness, hatred, jealousy, resentment, or a desire to take vengeance on someone else if they have wronged you in the past.

Whilst anger is an emotion present in everyone, if we allow it to consume us it can often lead to sinful actions such as violence against our brothers and sisters. There are some prominent Bible stories where anger has led to death in some cases. Cain murdered his brother Abel due to jealously about his intimacy with God. David who out of a lustful heart for Bathsheba, a married woman, orchestrated for her husband Uriah to be killed in the frontline of battle so that he could have her all to himself.

When we allow anger to dominate us, it can cause us to do unrecognisable things, things that are incompatible with our Godly nature. Not only this, but anger can also have a negative impact on our emotional and physical health such as causing stress, high blood pressure and heart problems. Also, it can damage interpersonal relationships, affecting your relational wellbeing. This being said, there is a term called “righteous anger” where you are angry against actual sin, offence to God and you express this anger in a manner consistent with your Christian nature. For example, when Jesus was cleansing the temple of unrighteous acts (John 2:13-25).

How do we overcome anger?

As we grow in our walk with God, we learn to see people through His eyes. Through a lens of grace and mercy, even when they have offended or frustrated us. Matthew 5:9 says, “blessed are the peacemakers”, with God’s help we can be vessels of peace and unity in our home, our church, and our community at large. Let us constantly ask God to search and cleanse our hearts of toxic thoughts, because harbouring angry thoughts lead to actions carried out in anger. The condition of our heart is critical when it comes to anger because;

out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks

Luke 6:45

The world will know us by the fruit we show them (Matthew 7:16-20).

Now the obvious question is, how can we diffuse such anger and find coping mechanisms and outlets, so we are not storing up hatred towards others. As Christians we carry the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to do the will of the Father and to be angry, and not sin, (Ephesians 4:26). The same power that resurrected Christ from the dead is at work in us (Romans 8:11) and unites us in Christ to ensure we are not slaves to our emotions.

Train your mind

Just like Paul said, we must train our mind like an athlete, master our ourselves (1 Corinthians 9:27), this could be through writing down your thoughts in a journal, talking it through with a trusted friend or mentor, finding quiet time to pray and meditate or exercise! In doing this, we create space to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2.)

God gives us His Holy Spirit, who helps us to obey and seek Him, to enable us to display self-control and peace in the place of unrighteous anger. Anger is a hard emotion to control, yet with God’s grace and wisdom it is an emotion that can be mastered and overcome.

To The Christian Who Feels Far Away From God

Chude Obuaya
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To The Christian Who Feels Far Away From God
Prefer to listen? Listen here!

How long have you been a Christian? Are you as spiritually mature as you would like to be? If you have been a Christian, even for a little while, I am sure you have been inundated with the metaphorical exhortation to bear fruit. There is the temptation to centralise fruitfulness as the foundation of your righteousness and thus becoming pharisaical – clean on the outside but rotten on the inside (Matthew 23:27-28). The other extreme is to neglect whether you are fruitful at all and develop a liberal lifestyle that uses grace to do whatever you like (Romans 6:1-2). The latter issue was the problem that was pervasive within the Corinth church. Perhaps it is an issue that you struggle with too?

A Corinth Kind Of Christian


Paul begins his first canonical letter to the Corinthians by affirming their Christianity

(1 Corinthians 1:2-9). I would like to do the same for all who are reading this article and may be (unnecessarily) concerned. If you are trusting in Christ as your life, you are saved!

However, similarly to the Corinth church you may not be as spiritually mature as you ought to be. The Corinth church wrestled with division, sexual immorality, false teaching, unrepentance, Christian freedom and more.

These Christians struggled to live out the freedom that Christ had purchased for them. Perhaps this is you? Maybe you are using your freedom in Christ to sin (Galatians 5:13) or you misunderstand your freedom in Christ and bind yourselves to laws (Galatians 3:10). Both issues have the same root, you are immature. There are many reasons why you may find yourself in this position, but one underlying reason that encapsulates them all – you trust in yourself rather than Christ for growth. The book of Hebrews defines our life as a race of faith and if we want to run this race successfully our only hope is looking at Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2) – how is that going?

God Is Committed To You


It can be difficult to rightfully distinguish between works-based righteousness and faith-based righteousness. Work-based righteousness says what I do justifies me in the sight of God. Faith-based righteousness says since Christ has justified me, I can now trust Him to live in the way I should. If you are a believer, glorification is your future (Romans 8:30). This means everything that blemishes the glory of God in you and in the world will be eradicated forever (Revelation 21:3-4). Whilst we await that glorious day, our journey here requires spiritual growth. If you are someone who laments their lack of spiritual maturity, perhaps it is because you have neglected the basic principles of God (Hebrews 5:12). There is a doctrine that is prevailing online that says studying the scriptures is unnecessary since you have the Word of God in you. Hebrews 5:13 responds in this way “for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child”.

Perhaps your spiritual frustration stems from the fact that you do not spend enough time in God’s word. Every book in the New Testament, apart from Philemon, warns against false teaching. Perhaps you are enticed by false teachings because you have not trained yourself to distinguish between what is good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). This is not about being a scholar, it is about living for the reason you were created – to know God. The good news is, Jesus has given us his Holy Spirit to teach us everything we need to know (John 14:26). Maturity is not trying to absorb as many scriptures as you can. Maturity is trusting that when you engage with the scriptures there is Divine help readily available for you. When you do engage with the scriptures, remember this “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

Why Do We Keep Falling Into Sin After Being Saved?

Oluwaseyi Sobogun
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Why Do We Keep Falling Into Sin After Being Saved?

Sin is the struggle we fight daily as we surrender our will to the will of the Father. The power of sin has been defeated by Jesus on the cross, yet the allures of it still entrap us. We know what to do but we struggle to do it. What is it about sin that keeps drawing us in?

Why do we keep running back to sin?

The simple answer, sin is enticing. It is what we know we shouldn’t do but do anyway because it is enjoyable, dangerous, exciting, yet fleeting. Our desire for this satisfaction births the way for sin to enter our lives. We can blame outside sources for their influence but ultimately it is always our decision to engage with the desire. 

The writer in James 1:14 – 15 explains the slow yet deadly development of sin in our lives:

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” 

James 1:14 – 15

Thankfully, death has been removed as we can be reconciled with God, even after sin, through salvation. Nonetheless, we are still susceptible to the consequences of our sin. We experience the tangible devastation and brokenness that sin can produce in our lives, in the lives of those around us. We have notable examples, in the bible, of two young men who were presented with their desires. One gave in to their desires which led to sin while the other ran from their desire, fleeing sin. These men are David and Joseph, respectively. (Read more about their stories in Genesis 39:7-14, and 2 Samuel 11).

It is important to note that at any given time we can be either of the young men. Sometimes we recognise the allure of our desires and flee; other times we do not. The bible does give us guidance on what God considers sin, but it is not a “complete” list. Although we have clarification on certain sins, we cannot categorise everything else as do’s and don’t. Sin is anything against God and His word. And as fallen men and women, we sin, we all have sinned (Romans 3:23).

How do we end the cycle?

Even so, we are not our sin. Our sin does not define us. Christ does, but we have to be cautious as there is a sin that ensnares each one of us. We must lay it aside and run with endurance the race ahead of us (Hebrews 12:1). We cannot be naive or comfortable about sin. Although sin is not a part of us and can be dealt with, there are triggers in our life that can lead us back to a habitual sin. We must identify those in this fight and remove them. Remember, we are born again as new creations who walk in a new life. We leave behind anything from the past, including these habitual sins. Below are three ways to do that:

Identify sin

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us

1 John 1:8

Our generation needs to stop normalising what God calls sin. It is time to acknowledge the sin in our lives as the only way to end this cycle is to admit it and understand that we cannot fight sin on our own. Then we should surrender to Christ who has saved us from our sin. We must acknowledge its presence in our life. Then, we can disassociate who we are, from the sin we may struggle with, and identify ourselves with who the Word says we are.

Ask for forgiveness

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 

1 John 1:9

Once we identify the sin, we confess it. We can confess our sin to God and confide in a trusted confidant. We do not have to fight alone. God loves us and forgives us. Remember, we are part of Gods family through the redemptive power of His Son (Gal. 4:5). We cannot be made right with God but for the grace given through Christ. We should never forget that we have received grace to free us from our sin and there is no condemnation against us (Rom 8:1). There is no sin greater than His love (Rom. 8:38-39).

Focus on God

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin

1 John 1:7

Immerse yourself with the things of God. We already know the flesh and the spirit cannot walk together. And light and darkness cannot co-exist. Therefore, we should focus on accepting the grace to live a life pleasing to God and trust the discernment of the Holy Spirit to fight our sin. But sin is serious and our attitude towards it needs to be one of vigilance and defence. We cannot afford to become complacent. It is for our sin that Jesus went to the cross, the highest price to pay. The way we live our lives is a matter of importance to God.

Do You Have A Lukewarm Faith?

Ayo Stephen
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Do You Have A Lukewarm Faith?

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things unseen

Hebrews 11:1

The epicentre of Christianity is the understanding, acceptance and submission to the fact that we are saved by grace through faith alone and not by our own works. However, when we examine our hearts and the desires that motivate our actions and decisions, are we motivated by this faith to long for the hope that comes from the gospel or do we live only to gratify the needs that our flesh demands?

Comparison Kills, Complacency Poisons

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:16

You may have heard that comparison is a silent killer in which jealousy, envy and eventually hate is bred – however what about complacency? Complacency poisons the mind, forcing us into a stagnant state in our walk. This may continue until we enter a place where we completely forget about God.

The great thing about the God that we serve is that He is all merciful (Lamentations 3:22-23). In Revelation 3:16, God highlights His disdain for lukewarm faith, however mercifully warns us to change our ways, meaning there is still an opportunity for us to correct our ways. It is important to hide this Word in our hearts, remembering that although we may become complacent in our walk, He is always ready to welcome us back like the prodigal son.

To continue in the sin, thinking grace may abound however, is foolishness (Romans 6:1-2). The Scriptures liken this to a dog who returns back to its own vomit (Proverbs 26:11). Let us examine ourselves, being intentional in our walk with Christ, by the grace of God, keeping our minds fixated on the things to come and not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).

Christ is the example, not Man

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

2 Corinthians 13:5

We are called to be help our brothers and sisters in Christ, rebuking and encouraging in love when necessary. In all, we are called to be a family, holding each other accountable, in love. It is thus understandable that this can cause blurred lines between accountability and the comparison of man. Although our brothers and sisters in Christ may read the Word ten times a day, or pray ten hours per day – our goal was never to aspire to them but always to walk with Christ in the race. 2 Corinthians highlights this, telling us to examine ourselves. The only way in which we can do this is through the Word, and the Spirit who reveals and will surely show us our flaws and our shortcomings in our walk.

However, do not be distressed by this, for even in our weakness, His grace is sufficient enough (2 Corinthians 12:9). So take heart, the one who has conquered the world (Jn 16.33) will surely guide you in conquering the flesh also.

Christ at the centre

But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love.

Revelation 2:4

In the famous words of Paul Washer, Christ should not just be the first in our lives, but the first, second, third – the list could go on. To put into perspective, our first love should be priority in everything we do and think.

Picture you have a husband/wife who you declared you loved so much. Will you not make sure you do everything possible to make them happy – checking your actions to ensure you do not hurt them in any way.

 So it should be for God.

As His bride, He should be our first love. Through placing Christ at His rightful place in our hearts, we are compelled by the Spirit to live for Him, despite having sinful hearts that are prone to drift from Him. Eventually as we put our faith in Christ and hope for the eternity that is to come, our desires will become a product of faith from a true gospel, and not a fallacy in a false gospel perpetuated by self worship.

Does it Matter What I Watch on TV?

Shumi Mararike
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Does it Matter What I Watch on TV?

Television can be a unifying force, particularly during the summer. There’s something tangibly different as you walk into your workplace or campus. You feel a surge of energy that flows through your offices, staff rooms and university buildings amidst the lively conversations concerning last night’s football and the episode of Love Island. With entertainment becoming such an integral part of our lives, this raises an important question: does it matter what I watch on TV?

Watch What You Consume

Health and fitness enthusiasts declare “you are what you eat.” Avid readers say “you are what you read.” “Eat” and “read” can be substituted for “listen to” or “watch”. The premise is this: what you consume may impact the person that you are. Although this varies, what you take in has some influence on your thoughts, desires and public witness to non-believers. This is why what you watch on TV, and all that you consume matters.

Guard Your Thoughts

There is no blanket ban on watching TV, nor do we have a checklist of what we should/should not watch. Nonetheless, it’s not everything that you can or should watch – you must be discerning. What we consume should be viewed through the lens of how our union with Christ which calls us to focus our minds on that which pleases God (Colossians 3:1-3). Right thinking is integral to righteous living. Christians are to have God-honouring thoughts – to pursue what is most excellent and pleasing to Him.

Although we can’t expect secular TV shows to promote Christian virtues, they may still be useful and harmless to watch, posing minimal threat toward the transformation of our lives by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). However, an explicit scriptural prohibition which is championed on our screens deserves zero attention. Where absent, you must ask whether you are dependent on it as suggested by an inability or unwillingness to abstain (1 Corinthians 6:12). Also consider your media consumption’s impact on your spiritual growth (1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23). Asking yourself these questions will help to guard our thoughts from any negative influences and draw your attention away from what is most worthy of your focus.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Philippians 4:8

Guard Your Heart

God does not bypass the mind as He transforms the heart. In Scripture, the heart often symbolises who a person is at the core of their being. Vauter describes it as “the centre for volition and the intellectual catalyst for feeling or action.” In other words, it represents our will and influences our actions. We commonly underestimate the impact of what we consume on our thoughts and desires. Relationship-centred reality shows could cause one to esteem their perception of relationships above the biblical portrait. You may pine after their portrayal of love and intimacy should you be unguarded. The content of a show may stir up a craving for controversy and gossip. Thus, what we consume affects our desires more than we think.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

Romans 12:9

“Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

Romans 13:13-14

Guard Your Witness

The faith we profess and the values of the God that we serve must be evidenced in every facet of our lives – including the type of media we consume and how we engage with it. Being a person of integrity requires a consistency between our morals and our actions in both private and public. Why is this necessary? Firstly, because it honours God. Secondly, you may be the only reference point someone has in understanding what it means to be a follower of Jesus. You are a witness of the gospel in both word and deed. So don’t consume what may mar your witness for the sake of fitting in or downplaying its flaws and detrimental effects.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Proverbs 10:9

“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

James 4:7

As your favourite shows return, consider whether you tuning in will affect your thoughts, desires and witness. These are to be patterned after Christ and the new nature received by those who repent and trust in Jesus for salvation (Ephesians 4:22-24). It is not mandatory that we exclude ourselves from everything, but we must be discerning.

Being Honest with God When We Sin

Boma Campbell
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In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve knew God did not want them to eat the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, but when they were tempted, they both disobeyed God. “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees” Genesis 3:7‭-‬8 NLT. After trying to cover up the sin they went on to pass the buck; Adam blaming God (verse 12) and Eve blaming the snake (verse 13). Adam and Eve’s responses to their sin are still doing the rounds today. The root of them all is shame, whether we know it or not.

Whilst we are probably not literally rocking fig leaf fashion, or ducking behind the trees, we may be pursuing perfection to cover up things we are ashamed of, or avoiding intimacy with God or other Christians because we think dwelling in our shame for a certain amount of time means we are really sorry. We can also frame ourselves as the victim and blame circumstances, people, or even God for our sin.

Solution to Shame

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1: 8-10

Admit it

We must accept this as a fact and not pretend to be perfect. After all “even perfection has its limits, but [God’s] commands have no limit“. Psalm 119:96. This does not mean we should not try to do what is right. In fact, we must put effort into doing what is right because “faith without works is dead“. James 2:17, 26.

We admit we do sin whilst having faith that our sin is covered by the blood of Jesus. When we are aware and focussed on the sacrifice of Jesus, we will not happily keep choosing to do what we know is wrong. Being in close relationship to the One who suffered and gave His life in love for us will cause us to put our energy into doing what is right and pleasing to God, and being committed to changing when we fall short. This is why Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength“. Matthew 22:37-39.

This first step is crucial. If we move on to the next step without coming from a place of believing that Jesus is our righteousness, our clothing that covers us better than fig leaves and animal sacrifices, we will struggle to accept that the contrite (truly sorry) confession of our sin is all that is needed, and we will be unlikely to confess our sin, or be able to accept God’s response.

When we admit that we sin, we do it with the perspective of Isaiah, who said: “I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness”. Isaiah 61:10.

Confess it

We must tell God what we have done wrong and that we are sorry, asking for God’s help to address the root of the issue and help us to make amends with other parties where possible. Often we know when we have done wrong as soon as we have done it, but sometimes we are in denial, or we truly think we are in the right. Therefore it is a good idea to spend time praying like the Psalmist: “God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares. See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting way— the path that brings me back to you.” Psalms 139:23‭-‬24 TPT. Then, we should listen expectantly for whatever God has to say. A situation or conversation might spring to mind, prompting us to consider our actions and confess the sin accordingly.

Believe it

When we do this, we should be confident that “He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness“. 1 John 1:9. It is fine if we have to repeat the steps at first because what we hold on to for a long time can leave an imprint after it has gone.

We can also be confident in the knowledge that Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses, as He was tempted in all points yet without sin. So we can ‘come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need‘. Hebrews 4:15-16.

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