Guarding Your Heart in a Digital World

Lily tapped her phone screen dark and glanced toward the front door. Good thing Mom isn’t home yet, she thought. She’d definitely ask what I was watching. She set the phone down, grabbed a snack, and opened her laptop to start homework, but her mind kept drifting back to the video she had just watched.

The girl online seemed to have the perfect life. No rules. No curfews. No parents checking in, and no concerns other than following the crowd. She said whatever she wanted, did whatever she wanted, and everyone cheered her on in the comments. Lily wished her life felt that free. At home, there were chores, questions, and expectations. Her parents cared about what she watched, who she talked to, whether she was setting a Christian example for others, and if she was learning to be courageous on behalf of her beliefs. She knew standards were important, and many of her age were just followers.

A clip replayed in her mind. The influencer had snapped at her mom on camera, rolling her eyes and storming off while thousands of viewers laughed and applauded. If she can talk like that, Lily thought, why can’t I? But she knew the answer as soon as the thought entered her mind.

Just then, the front door opened. Lily’s mom came in carrying groceries, juggling bags and keys.

“Lily, could you help me for a minute?” she asked.

Lily sighed. “Mom, I’m busy. Can’t someone else do it?”

One of the bags tore open, spilling food across the floor. Her mom knelt down to clean it up. Lily froze, suddenly realizing how harsh her words had sounded.

That evening, after dinner, her mom asked everyone to stay at the table. She opened her Bible and slid it across to Lily.

“Will you read Proverbs 4:23?” she asked.

Lily read softly, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Her mom nodded. “What we let into our hearts, through videos, music, social media, and the people we follow, shapes how we think and act. The Bible also warns us, ‘Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners’ (1 Corinthians 15:33). Even when something seems harmless, it can slowly change us.” Generation after generation of people have slowly stopped listening to the wisdom that came before them. They call those ideas old-fashioned, or not realistic, mean, or even un-Christian. First, they started disrespecting older people, then they started ignoring their teachings. Once a person loses respect for another, they soon abandon that person’s teachings. Its whats called a slippery slope and is how Christian communities and nations are slowly destroyed over time. Remember what we learned about the 5th Commandment, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” It isn’t just about listening to your own parents; when you honor your people, your ancestors, and your heritage, it helps your people live happy lives in the land and avoid destruction. Respect is very important.

Lily swallowed hard. She could see it now. The things she’d been watching were already affecting her attitude, and it was more serious than she had thought about earlier.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” she said quietly. “I shouldn’t have talked to you like that. And I need to tell you something, I’ve been watching things online that I know aren’t right . It’s just so hard sometimes because most of the shows or movies act like you’re a nobody if you don’t have gay friends or don’t hang out with other races, like you’re evil or something. I know that’s not true, because I know what’s in my heart. But it does hurt that the world has this kind of thinking and that so many just don’t care about our heritage or future.”

Her mom smiled and squeezed her hand. “I understand. I experience the same thing at work sometimes, and I’m glad you told me.”

Lily felt relief wash over her. She knew she couldn’t avoid screens and the misinformation directed at young people, altogether, but she could choose wisely. God cared about her heart, and she wanted to guard it.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report… think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Ephesians 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

Proverbs 4:14–15 “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.”

Proverbs 12:26 “The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.”

Proverbs 1:10 “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”