A study conducted by researchers at the University of California found that people are inundated every day with the equivalent of 34 Gb of information. All this information flows through our brain, where we make easy and complex decisions that impact our life; through the most intimate part of a human being. Therefore it’s incredibly important to recognize what kind of information comes into our heart. The Bible gives us very practical advice, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” Proverbs 4:23.
What kind of information fills our mass media, pop culture and everyday society? If we look through the top websites, films, books, and even campuses, we can see that the young generation especially, is deliberately bombarded by ideas that steal their values, hope, and faith, and lead to doubt. People start to reconsider the family institution, their orientation, faith, models of relationships and so on. They disagree with conventional views on life, but they don’t have any reliable model instead. They are filled with uncertainty. This kind of people are easy targets for all kinds of sin.
The main question is how I can protect my heart in this current of information. The solution is in Proverbs 4:22, “ My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body”. I would like to point out the active verbs – “turn your ear”, “do not let”, “keep them”. This shows that I have to be in an active position to guard my heart. If I am passive, thinking that it does not have an impact on me, I won’t even notice how this ideology will become my way of thinking.
The active position begins with my personal reading of the Bible, studying the Truth, and letting the Word settle down in my heart. The next step of the active position is uniting with people who base their life on the Bible. Don’t be a lone warrior in such a hard fight, we are more powerful when we are together. The third last stage of active opposition is visible resistance in the face of society. I have to speak up for the truth, show others my position, and let people see the original, beautiful alternative to immorality, atheism, hopelessness, and broken relationships.
Jesus said, “ I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one”. He doesn’t want to isolate us from the world, but to protect us from evil. Then He asked the Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth”. I have to take this word and consume it as much as possible. Fill my heart and mind with His Word and “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
– Vitaly Nemets
