Have you ever read the full Patient Information Packet on medication? It's usually an extensive document with intended uses, possible side effects, warnings, etc. You probably wouldn’t drink from something if it was labeled poison, would you? Would you watch a movie with a warning label “May lead to pain, loneliness, or death.” What if you were searching for a radio station and came across a message that said listening may distract you from everything good in life? Most things we consume in life don’t come with a clear disclosure of how they may affect us. And let’s be honest, how often do most of us read the entirety of that information packet before taking a prescription?

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The programming we receive and everything we consume has an effect. It is either helpful or harmful. Today let's focus on this in a sense of whether this brings us closer to the abundant life we’re created for or toward death. Spoiler alert, some things that are helpful to someone else may actually be harmful for you.

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There are many sources, platforms, and conduits of what we consume or engage with fighting for our focus every day. There’s television, books, social media, podcasts, radio, family, friends, coworkers, and strangers. The list goes on. Some may have a general tendency to be more helpful or unhelpful to you than others. Many of these are designed to be attractive to you- even targeting you specifically by using algorithms that tailor content to engage you. To be honest, the odds are stacked against us if we aren’t intentional in how we interact with the world around us.

So now what?  How can you navigate such a world? Today’s verse casts such a great vision and guidance. You need a better “algorithm.” It’s not just about having enough of what’s good in your life. You also need to be aware of what’s harmful, too. If you drink water, it doesn’t negate drinking poison. The good news is as you lean into the ways God wants to renew your mind, you’ll gain a greater awareness of what is good. Here’s some really practical things we can do to help that:

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Develop a framework, asking questions like: Does this bring me closer to Jesus or leave me distant? Do I look more or less like Jesus because of it? Does it help or hinder my calling (the things all Christians are designed for and where he is specifically leading me)?  

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Push Pause- Pause that social media account, keep the TV off, or have silence instead of something playing while you drive to work. Doing this for a period will help you assess what is helpful and harmful.

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Every time you remove something that isn’t helping you, fill it with the things the Lord has provided to bring you life: time spent with him in prayer and listening, studying Scripture, community with people who help each other keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, living on mission.

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Take a few minutes now to turn down the noise and connect with Jesus, his voice will always lead to life.