Life of Christians in media heavy era

[AurTwd]

Hi guys, I would like to know your views about living in a Christian life when there are lots of distractions going on. I will explain bits of piece about myself. this topic is for people who seeks Jesus around their teenage to adult stage (12-30's)

Im an artist myself (and my temptations in general are anti christian symbols or characters that are usually all around the internet)

I do sinned about it because my requesters of art do want those kind of characters and they're usually non Christians. I watch anime also. but the thing about anime is also the same symbolism or plots that are not Christian things. I watch non anime shows but the dilemna is the same.

I'm also a comic artist. as same distractions and astray still going on, I still want to practice both my writing and drawing abilities because how else can I improve and do things for the Lord? I do goal on writing a wholesome story that is align with the Bible.

So here are the questions for a person like me to keep on living according to the Lord while still swimming the waters of surviving the bad influence that could lead temporary or permanent astray from Christianity:
+ what verses can you tell us on how to live and discern our actions if they're aligned to our Christian beliefs?
+ is there someone in the Bible that can be the best example on teaching us to live our lives?
+ we do know that we should mingle with the right people. but God sent us non believers as friends too. how can we cope up?
+ helpful tips that you had in your younger lives that helped to keep on being Christians and still do so in this present age?

 

[bèlla]

In my opinion, you need to be brutally honest about your weaknesses. If the majority of the content you consume isn’t wholesome you can’t expect a holy result from its digestion. That’s unrealistic.

Your work and lifestyle reinforce your temptations. Something has to give or you’ll remain as you are. Change your interests, the clients or both. If the clients stay you need to lay the other stuff down.

Before God revealed my calling and what He desired me to do, He prepared me beforehand. Spiritually and practically. So I wouldn’t fall into temptation or abandon the mission.

This involved years of prayer, instruction, discipline and sacrifice. Until I desired His will and was able to set mine aside without complaint.

But I am equally mindful of Satan’s devices and how one sin can lead into others. I reduce His reach by limiting the impressions He places before me and being prudent about my relationships.

If it causes me to sin or backslide I need to stop. The skid will be greater than imagined. I let go of unwholesome connections and feed my mind and spirit things that increase my peace rather than drive me to repentance. If you continue to feed yourself good food after awhile it’s all the body craves. The spirit is no different.

I’ve utilized prayer and fasting and brought myself under submission. There is much room for improvement. But it’s a lot easier when you’re swimming with the current and not against it.

Most importantly, I have learned to be content where I am and where He’s taking me. That’s the secret. Trusting Him and staying close.

 

[AurTwd]

thank you for taking time reading and replying this thread. I kinda did a generalized view of questions so that others who are also in the same boat as me would read this thread and help them grow.

I had this conversation with myself about my lifestyle. The inner me would always said, let them go. But at the same time, it bothers me since they have been with me for a long time. My friends, hobbies, way of thinking. I have always wanting to stop what I am doing. but leaving me with nothing scares me. (the scared part makes me question if I did hid to Jesus and hold him close)

I do want to start over also. for He is a God of second chances. If it means to be an out of reach media apps person, so be it. It wasn't very easy choice to make. I cant do this by myself.--> and that is something I do know about myself. I needed Him. I wanted Jesus to be my ultimate friend. And I do think He knew that He is my closest pal. He knew that I only do these struggle practice of art and writing is for Him. I know He can tell what my dreams and wishes. Just with Him, I am content from where I am....

But the people I met though. They're not all bad. I can't just leave them behind. There should be some discern and balance line in between there. How can I solve this issue?

==================
tldr;
I dont mind changing the whole lifestyle but in exchange of leaving someone (friends) behind, what should I do?

 

[bèlla]

I dont mind changing the whole lifestyle but in exchange of leaving someone (friends) behind, what should I do?

I can’t answer that. He comes first and I was willing to set aside the things that threatened my walk and purpose. I continue to prune and He rewards my faith.

I shared some of the results of that decision on a different thread. There’s a saying, the greater the goal; the greater the sacrifice.

You can’t seek the summit if you’ve determined how far you’ll climb. Change the goal or change your effort. But don’t delude yourself.

I walk in a measure of blessing that is comparable to the sacrifices and lifestyle I’ve developed to accomplish His mission. I don’t look for shortcuts. I focus on pleasing God.

 

[longwait]

Hi guys, I would like to know your views about living in a Christian life when there are lots of distractions going on. I will explain bits of piece about myself. this topic is for people who seeks Jesus around their teenage to adult stage (12-30's)

Im an artist myself (and my temptations in general are anti christian symbols or characters that are usually all around the internet)

I do sinned about it because my requesters of art do want those kind of characters and they're usually non Christians. I watch anime also. but the thing about anime is also the same symbolism or plots that are not Christian things. I watch non anime shows but the dilemna is the same.

I'm also a comic artist. as same distractions and astray still going on, I still want to practice both my writing and drawing abilities because how else can I improve and do things for the Lord? I do goal on writing a wholesome story that is align with the Bible.

So here are the questions for a person like me to keep on living according to the Lord while still swimming the waters of surviving the bad influence that could lead temporary or permanent astray from Christianity:
+ what verses can you tell us on how to live and discern our actions if they're aligned to our Christian beliefs?
+ is there someone in the Bible that can be the best example on teaching us to live our lives?
+ we do know that we should mingle with the right people. but God sent us non believers as friends too. how can we cope up?
+ helpful tips that you had in your younger lives that helped to keep on being Christians and still do so in this present age?

Read the whole of the Book of Proverbs to get practical wisdom on how to live your life. Also there is a book called Sirach that was removed from the Bible just like several other books of the Bible. Sirach also gives practical wisdom though I haven't read the whole of Sirach.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27

 

[GospelS]

thank you for taking time reading and replying this thread. I kinda did a generalized view of questions so that others who are also in the same boat as me would read this thread and help them grow.

I had this conversation with myself about my lifestyle. The inner me would always said, let them go. But at the same time, it bothers me since they have been with me for a long time. My friends, hobbies, way of thinking. I have always wanting to stop what I am doing. but leaving me with nothing scares me. (the scared part makes me question if I did hid to Jesus and hold him close)

I do want to start over also. for He is a God of second chances. If it means to be an out of reach media apps person, so be it. It wasn't very easy choice to make. I cant do this by myself.--> and that is something I do know about myself. I needed Him. I wanted Jesus to be my ultimate friend. And I do think He knew that He is my closest pal. He knew that I only do these struggle practice of art and writing is for Him. I know He can tell what my dreams and wishes. Just with Him, I am content from where I am....

But the people I met though. They're not all bad. I can't just leave them behind. There should be some discern and balance line in between there. How can I solve this issue?

==================
tldr;
I dont mind changing the whole lifestyle but in exchange of leaving someone (friends) behind, what should I do?

Its like you want to put your one foot in one boat, and the other in another boat, which are heading in different directions. It will lead you nowhere but you will drown. If you try to balance you will end up pretending before God and men and thus making fool of yourself. This seems close to double-mindedness. Jesus said to the church of Laodicea that this manner of thinking would produce a luke-warm church, neither hot nor cold, and you know the rest ... (Revelation 3). No one can serve two masters. If that takes to leave some friends, it is all worth it for the sake of one who left the heavens and died for you on that painful cross.

Matthew 10:37-39 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 19:29, Mark 10:29-30, Luke 18:29-30 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.