“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
We live in a remarkable age! With my phone, I can listen to or watch podcasts, videos, reels, and music from around the world. Individual results may vary, but studies find people spend:
- 33 minutes per day on Facebook
- 34 minutes per day on Instagram
- 49 minutes per day on YouTube
- 54 minutes per day on TikTok
- 148 minutes per day on Spotify
The point is obvious: we are consuming an incredible amount of content day to day. And in many respects, it’s incredible! I can listen to people discussing culture, sports, and politics. Also, I can listen to science, the history of the Bible, theology, etc. In fact, I can mow the lawn and learn the Bible. Not only that, but I can always enjoy hours of music.
However, I recently read the passage above. And it surely lands differently in light of the hours we spend consuming digital content each day. The phrase “to suit their own passions” reminds me of our algorithm-driven, carefully curated feeds. Myths stand in contrast to the truth of God’s Word.
Pondering
Some questions to ponder as we make decisions about the content we consume daily:
- There is freedom in Christ. But am I constantly replacing the Word, preaching, and worship with something else? In other words, does my content dull my affection for God’s truth?
- Is this perhaps satisfying some sinful desire in me?
- Will this content fill me with the Fruit of the Spirit? Or am I angry, fearful, or anxious after I consume it?
- Does the content I consume reduce my appetite for meaty things like the Word or worship? Think about cotton candy versus a well-balanced meal. Do I find it harder to digest the parts of the Bible our culture doesn’t like?
- Will my content merely make me feel good, or does it specifically feed my soul?
- Am I painting myself into an echo chamber?
- And finally, does the amount of digital content I consume leave room for the other things the Lord has called me to do?
Questions I am pondering…
Posted in A Word from the Pastor