The Deception of the Media: How to Break the Cycle

Screens Everywhere

There are many things that have become just another part of life. Technological advances has changed the course of how we communicate, work, entertain, and learn. We’ve learned how to depend on google maps to get around. We’ve learned how to depend on our phones for just about everything. How do we stay connected without our phones? We need to make sure we have access; to be in the know of the next trending hashtag. Even TV has evolved into being a necessity. They’ve moved into every part of our households. Screens and the media have taken over and invaded our physical space. How then has it affected our psychological state… emotional state… spiritual state? The following are my suggestions on how to break the cycle of the deception of the media.

The Cable Guy

One of my favorite movies; “The Cable Guy” directed by Ben Stiller in 1996 was prophetically satirical. Even though exaggerated, like this claim, it pointed out the social and emotional damage that could occur through the overuse of screen time as a form of parenting. The main character played by Jim Carrey was the victim of neglect as he sat with the “babysitter”(the tv) as his mom went to happy hour. Starved for attention and human interaction, he grows up to become a cable guy, installing peoples cable and coercing them into friendship; which turns into him stalking them when his quirky overbearing ways get the best of him. Again an extreme example but not too far fetched from the current state of society: consumed by screens, interacting virtually and socially distanced. We are prone to the deception of the media.

Breaking the Deception of the media

In the beginning of 2019, I went on a fast from TV for 6 months. I didn’t decide to do this on my own. It was something that was required of me from God. So for 6 months I did my best to avoid watching tv. It was a trying time for me in my household. In the evenings during the time I usually spent watching tv with my family or my husband, I instead would be in my room by myself, praying, reading or listening to sermons. During that time without any conscious effort or thought I refrained from scrolling through social media as well. I cut it all out of my life to the greatest extent possible. Why, you may ask?

It was to break me out of the cycle of the deception media portrays. I was being engaged in a fantasy world that allowed me to no longer think about my own life. To no longer live my own life, but watch someone elses made up life. I had no idea how much of a demonic hold the TV held me in.

Media effects on the brain

The visuals that we see, the “food” that we feed our psyche has a very great effect on our lives. The NY Times article, “Does TV Rot Your Brain?” states, “Perhaps watching TV shows, with their high density of drama, action and comedy, engages circuits of arousal and emotion such that these areas, rather than circuits of intellect, strengthen. This change could lead to psychological and behavioral issues.  Studies have shown that for each additional hour of television watched in childhood, the odds of developing symptoms of depression increase by 8 percent and the odds of being convicted of a crime increase by 27 percent.”

So it seems what we choose to watch, especially in childhood has a direct effect on our brains. What we continually feed ourselves is what we crave. Why are all of the things that are not good for us so delicious? It becomes addicting, we are programming our brains to crave what? Sex, jealousy, depression, immorality, lying, cheating, materialism, etc.; all of the things that are “entertaining” is what is feeding our minds, our hearts, and our spirit.

Media and Genetics

Of the same article, another study which looks at how genetics play a role found that, “Genetics, they concluded, shapes brain and behavior, which in turn has wide-ranging consequences, including how many hours of TV individual children tend to watch and how their brains respond to it. ‘For example,’ Schwartz says, ‘children with increased predisposition toward aggressive behavior may be more drawn to TV.’ Similarly, those who are genetically inclined to depression or obesity may be more likely to spend their free time watching TV in the family room rather than shooting hoops on the basketball court. Research suggests that heredity accounts for approximately half of the risk of developing antisocial behavior, with the remaining risk explained by environmental influences.”

What this tells me is that as children we may not know any better; as adults we need to be aware of what role we are playing or playing into in the vicious cycle. I want to stop my children from being caught up in the vicious cycle of the deception of the media. I now know that TV for me, feeds my depression and causes me to be stagnant.

A past time that turned into an Idol

There are a number of factors at play here. Can I blame television and the media in totality? Not really. I have control over what I choose to watch and when I watch it, right? What I have learned about myself is that, while I am doing what many Americans do on a daily basis, TV for me, became an idol. Think about it.

Our “idol” is on display, either mounted on the wall or on a nice alter (tv stand) in almost every room, lifted up so everyone can see. We spend hours sitting right in front of it in worship, giving it our complete attention, irritated by distractions. We even talk to it sometimes, praying for the next scene to be better than the last, wondering what the antagonist is going to do next, hoping that the next season returns soon so we can continue to watch. All the while our bibles are collecting dust, or just waiting to be opened again since last week’s sermon.

How to break the cycle of the media

Ok, I know that was a lot! I’ve had so many points that I wanted to bring up. Now what can you do? You want to stop the cycles you notice generationally and you want to feel better overall. You also want to draw nearer to God. Here are five ways to break the cycle of influence of the media in your life.

1. Go on a Fast

One thing you can do is set a specified time that you will refrain from watching TV and social media. I did a total of 6 months all at once and then limited the amount of time I spent watching afterwards. Do what feels right and attainable for you. Maybe start with a certain time during the day, a day during the week, or a week out of a month. I think the stronger the hold on you, the longer your initial separation should be. This will help to break the pattern and the vicious cycle that is caused by the deception of the media.

2. Read or listen instead

In addition to the fast, open up your bible during those times that you are not watching TV. Read devotionals or other books that will feed your soul, your spirit and your heart. Listen to podcasts and sermons. Read books that will help you grow in a certain area of your life that you want to change. Be intentional about reading and listening to positive and inspirational content.

3. Pray

Also, engage in a lot of prayer during this time. God will reveal to you what things need to be cut out from your life. During my 6 months of fasting from tv, I’ve learned so much about my purpose, I found direction, I received revelation, I created, had ideas, so much by focusing just on him and being obedient. Writing down your prayers and insight that you receive from God is a good practice to get into. Not sure how? Read Applying the Word of God to your life: How to pray for growth in Christ

4. Get outside

Intentionally spend as much time in nature as you can. I feel a special connection to God when I am surrounded by nature. It brings a sense of peace. I feel his presence. I am in awe of his creations. Whenever I had an episode it was extremely hard for me to leave the house. Getting dressed to take a walk outside seemed like such a huge task. I didn’t want to be around people. I just didn’t have the energy. Create a routine where you can get outside more regularly. Use some of that tv time to go for a walk instead.

5. Monitor what you watch

The last thing to consider is, when you are watching tv, be careful with what you allow yourself to watch and how much time you are consuming it. There are certain tv shows and movies that I just cannot watch. It does something to my spirit. I feeds things that I do not want fed. It will hook you by being entertaining which will start the vicious cycle.

I hope that this post has helped you to just consider what role the media plays in your life and how it may fuel negativity in ways you never really thought of or expected. It can become a strong hold; an idol that you need to break free from. What are you feeding your mind? Your heart? Your spirit?