Do you watch “American Idol?” About 9% of Americans do, and that makes it a huge hit by today’s standards. Remember “The Beverly Hillbillies?” In 1963 that show was viewed by 35% of American households. That’s one of many comparisons between the early 60’s and today from Charles Murray’s new book “Coming Apart.” 35% for the “Hillbillies;” 9% for “American Idol.” Modern media is fragmented; little is held in common; individual choice rules.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, are you discerning about sources of information? If so, do you discriminate what you let into your mind and what you shut out? A crude example is pornography. Discernment says, “This is not what I as a Christian should take in” and discrimination says, “I won’t give it any consideration.” Back in the 60’s church-going and Bible-reading strongly influenced our common reception of information from the few media sources we had. But because today’s media is numerous, individualized and private, church-going and Bible-reading aren’t automatic safeguards against spiritually damaging information. Jesus lays discernment and discrimination on us, His modern followers. “His sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (John 10:4-5)
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