How does the adversary influence us?

You know the saying, "You are what you eat"? I think we can all agree that "You are what you think" is much more fitting in this day and age.

We receive information overload through our cell phones, computers, TVs–you name it! And if we're not bombarded online, we're often bombarded in person by somebody who watches Fox News on repeat.

It's...a lot.

Below are just a few places where Satan may be trying to entrap us. And let me be clear. I am in NO WAY saying these things are bad or evil in and of themselves. A lot of good can happen online. BUT if we find ourselves feeling depleted, overwhelmed, not good enough, etc., then chances are we're being fed lies through one of the following channels. And it's up to us to find the source and do something about it.

• Social media: Social media can be devastating to our self-worth in so many different ways. We can easily compare ourselves to others. We can be bombarded by viewpoints that don't align with our own, and even worse, feel like we're less than for believing what we do. Not to mention, social media is created to keep us scrolling, distracting us from what truly matters, like our families and the purpose God has given us (time flies when you're trapped watching cat videos ad nauseum). It's safe to say social media is often a hindrance to our relationship with Jesus and can leave us feeling exhausted and not good enough when comparing ourselves to an airbrushed world.

• AI/Search engines: The thought of going to a non-human entity for advice seems futuristically frightening, but as we're all aware, the future is now. Blindly relying on information we gather online or through systems like ChatGPT is a major concern because if we're not discerning what we learn against Scripture, then we're falling prey to what could easily become an idol. It's up to us to pray for wisdom and direction when using such tools and not let the tools take precedence in our lives.

• Videos: YouTube (or video streaming in general) is a quick and easy way to deliver informational content, regardless of whether or not that information is actually accurate and worthy of our attention. With the rise of YouTube Shorts and TikTok, we're not only vulnerable to mind-numbing content, but we're also constantly in the practice of shortening our attention spans, greatly lessening our ability to be patient and gentle with others.

• Music: Music has certainly seemed to devolve over the years. I once came across a preacher who mentioned that Satan was originally the "angel of music" and how ironic it is that many are led astray through music (heads up, this is his interpretation of Ezekiel 28:13, and many have contested the meaning of "timbrels and pipes" in this verse, but still, an interesting thought). I know I was a big fan of hardcore rap for many years (yes, I know lol), not realizing how it subverted my understanding of sex and male/female power dynamics. It's too easy to say, "Oh, I just like the beat," without realizing how the words could be corrupting our souls.

• Podcasts: I'll admit, this form of content-binging seems a little more innocuous than the others. And maybe because it's offered in a slower, long-form type of delivery. But it can be easy to slip out of discernment and into the lull of somebody else's thoughts. It's essential to remain open to diverse viewpoints. But it's also important to be aware of when our defenses might be slipping, and our values are being reshaped without our consent. I personally love listening to podcasts, but I also have to be aware of when it might be a good time to take a brain break from them.

• Commercials: If you assessed society's current state based on our commercials alone, you'd believe we were nothing but vapid individuals who are only concerned with our looks and making our lives easier. The amount of makeup, skin care, fancy cars, latest medications, and a deluge of other "necessities" that pop up on our screens is more than concerning. Eventually, we can start to believe we truly do need these things to survive, replacing our need for Jesus with an empty promise that never delivers. There's no amount of wrinkle cream in the world that can erase our sin, so when we fall victim to what other people try to sell us, we don't remain victorious in the ever-peaceful presence of Christ.

• TV/Streaming/Movies: As with other video content, we have to be careful not to fall victim to another person's agenda. A lot of movies and TV shows reflect specific ideologies, whether we're aware or not. And so, it's important to watch with a firm mind in Christ, knowing who we are in Him and not allowing our thoughts to be reshaped by the powers that be at some production company.

• People we love: This one may be the most surprising because we automatically assume the people we love (and who presumably love us) should speak nothing but encouraging words. However, often it's the people we're closest to who end up hurting us the most. Like in Matthew 16:23, Jesus tells Peter to “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Peter was not allowing the Spirit to speak when telling Jesus, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you," after Jesus shares that he would be crucified. We have to remember the adversary will use anything and anyone to trip us up, and when we have that in mind, we're able to protect ourselves while still giving grace to those we love.

• Our own thoughts: It's evident that Satan knows what buttons to push, and he often does so through our thoughts. There have been a number of times when I'm "thinking" something I'm not actually thinking–a quick image or memory or whispered phrase that is altogether jarring. And that's why we're to take captive each thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). There was a time in my life when I didn't know I could control my thoughts. I was under the impression that my thoughts controlled me, and if we already know that Satan uses our thoughts to tempt and deceive us, then it's a pretty frightening notion that I never attempted to guard my mind. Peter calls Satan "a prowling lion," bent on looking for someone to devour. And infiltrating our thoughts is a great way to do just that. We need to be vigilant in putting on the mind of Christ and keeping what we think safe from the enemy.

Again, I want to be clear here. I'm in no way demonizing the aforementioned points, and in fact, have personally discerned a number of beneficial things from online platforms, TV shows, podcasts, etc. It's just a matter of knowing if any of these things are causing undue stress in our lives, and if so, what our next step is. It may be to take a break or step away from them completely. It may be to instill certain guardrails to keep from hijacking our time.

Like Jesus says, "And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." (Matthew 5:30). And if what we're consuming is having such an impact that we find ourselves on the precipice of sin, then we need to be mindful of how and what we're consuming.

This journal exercise will help you to reflect on the things of this world that may be currently distracting you. Treat this list not as an admonishment but an opportunity to tweak the thoughts and beliefs you're currently letting into your mind and heart.

Next, I'll share my own story of how Satan has influenced me in the past.