How can we be more aware of media influences and respond appropriately to less-than-godly ideas and storylines? Making a decision as simple as what movie to watch might seem trivial to some, but the main idea of this controversial debate is powerful—what we let into our minds determines what we will think about and dwell on, and shapes our thoughts and actions.

Hollywood’s ongoing quest for gorier and more obscene plots seems to escalate with each new movie and could be more deleterious than we realise. Guarding our minds against the clever schemes society continually presents to us—in the guise of a hyped-up Hollywood blockbuster—by arming ourselves with the truth and the knowledge of God will ultimately help us along our spiritual journey (Ephesians 6:11-13).

We must also analyze the television shows we watch, the music we listen to, the role models we strive to emulate and, overall, the material we read and the things in which we invest our time.

Ultimately, we should all be ready and willing to stand up, in a polite and humble way, for what we know is right.