Shut the window!

Folu was preparing for an examination. It was a qualifying exam for an admission to her desired programme at the university. The joy and excitement that she had knew no bound because it would be her chance to achieve her big dream of becoming a scholar and role model to many. She had very clear goals.

The examination day drew so close. The syllabus was so bulky that it almost felt that the pages increased as much as she kept reading. There was still a lot to read and practice. She kept pushing because she knew that her chance of getting the admission and achieveing her dream depended on the examination.

Few days to the examination, some friends who were living in the same compound with her had their cousins who were living in the big city visiting them. It was a blast. Their cousins came with the best of games, toys, phones, music and lots more. Folu's friends asked her to join the fun, and it was so appealing to her ears. She knew it was going to be a weekend to remember with her friends, but she had to choose whether to join the fun or focus on the exam preparation.

Her choice was obvious; she wanted to pass her exams. However, as she kept preparing, she could not stop peeping through the window to see how much fun her friends were having. Sometimes, they would scream so loud and wave at her so that she could see how much fun she was missing. Folu was reading but her mind was following through every conversation and watching every move her friends were making. There was still so much to read but she could no longer focus. She was so slowed down that she read the same line over and over again with no comprehension.

She really wanted to read but she could also not stop her friends from shouting and trying to distract her. She found that all she could do to save her 'big dream' was to shut the window.

Yes, shut the window!

The believer today wants to keep up with everything on the social media. It is very impossible to achieve that without jepardizing the time for God and productivity. The social media come with very exciting features that are quite enticing and difficult to let go. It gets easier each day to navigate through the endless ocean of photos, videos, clips, posts, news, gists and much more. The more you see, the more there is to see.

Few weeks ago, I was curious to know how much time I spend on the different apps I have on my phone. I was shocked when I saw the stats. So, the few minutes here and there; in the bus, sometimes during lunch, on the couch, etc., actually amount to hours in a week. Sometimes, the intial intention could be to check if there are urgent messages, then it subtly becomes scrolling past statuses, posts and watching videos. The distraction the average believer faces with this new phase of social media is gross.

It would be sincere to say that many virtues have been lost in the tide. Many believers have lost their quiet time and family devotion. Some can no longer fully focus on mind building and career development. Others have long forsaken the fellowship with other believers. You remember the saying, 'if you can't beat them, join them'. A lot of believers in Christ have chosen this path. They believe that since media is the new deal for visibility and that a lot of money could be made through posts and engagements, it is better they become actively involved too. There is now a lot of pressure to do something, any social media content at all.

What does the Bible have to say in all these?

2 Corinthians 2:11 AMP

To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.

Is social media bad? Not at all.

It is a weapon that can destroy or build up depending on how it is being utilized.

The devil has adopted social media as a weapon to promote envy, jealousy, hatred, sexual perversion, covetousness, love of money and more. He also uses it to carry out one of his core missions-TO STEAL. He steals away quality time, thereby depriving believers of their fervency in the spirit and devotion to prayer and study. Overwhelming exposure to media makes the mind clouded, reduces spiritual sensitivity and discernment, and makes the fire in one's spirit burn out. After the devil achieves all these in a believer, the believer becomes vulnerable to sin, attacks and apostasy.

You cannot influence what and how much people post on the media, but you can guard yourself. How?

SHUT THE WINDOW!

Proverbs 4:23 AMP

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

• Limit your exposure. Activate settings or download apps that can help you regulate the time you devote to social media. This will help you to spend your time wisely.

• Tread carefully. Avoid jumping at every gist or post when you are online. Feed your mind only with things that edify.

• Find other interesting hobbies for leisure.

• Be intentional about your spiritual growth. Set spiritual goals by the help of the Spirit and be committed to them. Pray. Set Bible study goals. Read edifying books, and listen to spirit-filled songs and sermons on the go. Do these over social media binge.

• Enrich your mind with God's word.

Colossians 3:16 KJV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

• Stand for God's truth whether online or on-site. It may mean standing alone.

When you feel that you are beginning to get distracted from the heavenly vision, and the noise in the world becomes too loud in your mind and spirit, it is time to SHUT THE WINDOW.