8 Ways To Keep Focused In A Social Media Obsessed Culture

Who made the latest sex tape? Which pop star is dating which? What’s the hottest song on radio? Who
cheated on whom? What’s the latest online feud between catty celebrities?

How can Believers remain focused on the things that are true, noble, pure and of good report (Philippians 4:8)
when trash posturing as important information is everywhere—especially on social media?

The ubiquitous nature of entertainment headlines make trashy write-ups, scandalous content and sexually
explicit pictures hard to miss. Even the silliest video pranks and most vulgar footage go viral, and get shared
millions of times on sites like Facebook and Twitter.

How do you keep your mind elevated, avoid being sucked into time-wasting mental traps and remain pure of
heart with all the distractions coming your way?

Here are 8 ways:

1. Click away.
“ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from
the Father but from the world.” (1 John 2:16)

A very wise, God-fearing woman once told me, “Protect your ear-gate, your eye-gate and the gate to your
heart.” Sometimes our curiosity and need to stay current gets the best of us. But it’s not good to press play on
every video that pops up in your news feed or click to read any old salacious headline you see. If it is not
edifying to your spirit, why are you indulging in it? Watching and reading too much of the wrong things awaken
the wrong things within us.

2. Value your time.
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the
days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Anything you place a high premium upon, you tend to guard more ferociously. Our time is one of the most
precious, yet most wasted commodities in our society. Work to see the importance of every second and minute
of your day, and let nothing drag you away from what matters. Ask yourself, "Why would I let something that
offers no value to me, take away something so valuable from me?"

3. Avoid bad influences.
“Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.’…” (2 Corinthians 6:7)

Just as social media allows you to “share”, “like”, and “favorite” posts you enjoy, you also have the freedom to
use the “block” feature as necessary. If you notice that someone is always sharing unwholesome information on
your timeline, get them out of your feed. Unfriend, unfollow, and do whatever is necessary to disassociate
yourself from the poison they constantly share online. If you were always breathing in toxic air, it would make
you sick. If you're always taking in unhealthy online information, it will adversely affect your spiritual, mental and
emotional health.

4. Hate what God hates.
One of the six things the Lord hates is “a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into
evil” (Proverbs 6:18)

What do you run toward? What do you “rush to” on the Internet? If everyone could see your online viewing
history, what would it reveal about you? We are not to take pleasure in the things that go against God, no
matter how appealing the world makes them seem. We ought hate what God hates. So let your “feet” or better
yet, your mouse clicker, go toward what is good, useful, pure and uplifting. Though real-life bad news like tragic
deaths, crime, and other unpleasant real-world happenings will reach us, shield yourself from unnecessary
mischief and gossip.

5. Ignore Vanity.
Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes
1:2) "

How to look 10 years younger; the secret weight loss tips all the celebrities are going crazy over; the latest
fashions to die for… and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. When we fill ourselves to the brim with meaningless, vain,
futile information, there is no room left for substantive, helpful, thought-provoking, true self-improving, biblically
sound insight. There are no weight loss “secrets” apart from healthy eating and exercise. There is no fountain
of youth. And most of the fashions magazines are promoting are from companies that have paid them to do so.
Stay focused.

6. Ignore the comments.
"Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips." (Proverbs 14:7)

There are some fools online and lots of them. When possible, avoid them. This is not to say that you should try
to mute someone else’s point of view, yet there needs to be boundaries set up. If you are reading an open
comment thread full of vulgarity, hatefulness, racism, hyper-criticalness and general insensitivity, click away.
And by all means, don't go back and forth with a toxic person online. It's just not worth it! Proverbs 26:4 says,
"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him."

7. Stay out of others’ drama.
“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice” (Proverbs 24:17)

With research proving that reveling in others’ misfortunes makes others feel better about themselves, you can
see how alluring someone else’s drama can be. But there is a thin line between general reports of breakups,
legal suits, sexual impropriety and other illicit acts, and all the "gossipy" speculative content based on the rumor
mill, but not rooted in any fact. When you find yourself rejoicing in someone’s publicized calamity, personal
issues and public failures, it’s time to do a heart check. We are not supposed to derive any pleasure from
anyone else’s drama. It could be you.

8. Put God First.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34)

This is last, but really, it's the first thing you should think about. Where is your treasure? When Christ is at the
center of your world, everything revolves around Him and you are willing to give up everything to follow Christ.
You keep your attention focused on making sure your ways please Him and your life honors Him. If you truly
treasure Him, let your actions show it. The time you spend devoting your life to Him, proves your commitment to
the things of God.

In the age of social media, though distraction has taken on a fairly new form, there is nothing new under the
sun. Recreation and frivolous things have always competed with man’s allegiance to God.

If you want to preserve your soul’s salvation, check your online habits and keep your online habits in check.