Negative Influences Desensitize Us: A Short Bible Study

Before doing this study, please read the 1-minute introduction: Have You Become Desensitized? It explains that the dangers of violent entertainment are recognized by secular authorities as well as warned against by God.

We usually recognize that pornographic entertainment is harmful, but we tend to overlook or excuse the effects of dark and violent themes in entertainment. We may think we aren't influenced by negative themes. But we don't realize that the results are often subtle and slow-growing. 

Entertainment has been a major influence for accepting premarital sex, living together without marriage, and LGBTQ lifestyles. Because these things are presented in attractive and entertaining ways. 

How do the following passages direct us?

Proverbs 4:23: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 

It's so true that our heart guides our actions and sets our moral standards. Just as healthy foods lead to a healthier body, healthy entertainment leads to healthier thoughts and actions.

Mark 7:21-23:  For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.

No one commits any of these sins listed without first accepting it in his/her heart. See 2 Steps to Sexual Sin.

Ephesians 5:8-16: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

If "it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret."  It is also shameful to be entertained by it. For more insights, read the devotions linked below. They highlight immoral sexual themes, but the same principles apply to violence and dark themes.

Soft Core Christians
The Only Opinion
Sex, Truth, Love

One reason younger generations of Christians are accepting sinful behavior is because they are more familiar with the words of our culture than the Words of Scripture.

To read something that can guide your heart in the right direction, I recommend Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word. 

I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet offering quiet time encouragement. Find out more HERE.

copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated in 2023

Let's Get Off the Couch, Dear Christians!

As an introduction to this study, please read the 1-minute devotion Comfortable on the Couch. It addresses 4 areas where many modern Christians are refusing to make the efforts needed to mature in their faith. Let's address these 4 areas with relevant Scripture passages.

1. Few Christians are denying themselves in the area of charitable giving: 

"Christians are only giving at 2.5 percent per capita, while during the Great Depression they gave at a 3.3 percent rate." (Relevant Magazine)  

Would you consider yourself "generous" in the area of charitable giving?

Proverbs 19:17: Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. 

2 Corinthians 9:6: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 

2. Most Christians aren't interested in missions: 

Only 23% of evangelicals have taken a short-term mission trip even though a Barna study "shows that most of the people who embark on service adventures describe the trips as life-changing." 

Obviously, short term mission trips are not the only way Christians show an interest in missions. We can also give donations to help missions, and point #1 would reflect a lack of interest in that area. An area not measured in the Barna study was prayer for missions.

Are you praying regularly for missions?

Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

3. Most Christians are unwilling to regularly study their Bibles: 

According to a Life Way study, while 90% of Christians say they want to please God, only 19% read their Bible daily. 

How often are you reading your Bible?

2 Timothy 2:15: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

4. Most Christians are unwilling to do "hard things."

The Life Way study also revealed that "Almost all churchgoers want to honor God, but more than a third indicate obedience is not something they have done when it is costly to them." 

Are you willing to inconvenience yourself to serve the Lord?
 
Luke 9:23-25: "Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?" 
 
If you need improvement in any of these areas, I encourage you to get off the couch!
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copyright, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2020

"Real Evangelism"

Before doing this study, please read the 1-minute introduction: Those Who Incorrectly Define Evangelism.

"Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."  ~ 1 Corinthians 3:7 

Sometimes God may ask us to share Christ in ways "outside our comfort zone," but usually he uses our skills, gifts, and personalities in ways that seem more natural. So don't let anyone scare you by claiming you have to evangelize a particular way. And don't excuse yourself from developing and using your own gifts to share Christ.

Let's look at some aspects of evangelism that are often overlooked.

1. Being a loving example.

John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 

How we treat both Christians and non-Christians is a witness to non-believers. If unsaved people know that we aren't treating our friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers with grace, forgiveness, and consideration, why should they want to know our Lord?

2. Using our gifts.

Acts 9: 36-42: In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

See Don't Be Jealous of Other People's Gifts.

3. Speaking truth graciously.

Colossians 4:5-6: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Do you understand this combination of salt and grace? To learn more, read the 1-minute devotion: Salt & Grace

copyright, 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated and edited in 2022