Fast Day 3: Competing Voices

by Dan Friess

Colossians 3:2  “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Deuteronomy 6:5  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

Galatians 5:16-17  “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” 

John 10:10  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

God created us with a deep capacity for affection, attention, and devotion. It’s intended to be experienced in Him and his goodness. It’s a profound gift that the deepest longings of our soul can find fulfillment, validation, and purpose through intimacy with God. But the flesh, the world, and the enemy corrupt God’s design by misplacing our affection, attention, and devotion, capturing our hearts and minds with lesser things. Here’s one of many ways this happens…Sycophancy is when someone uses flattery to influence you. Essentially, saying whatever they think you want to hear so you will trust them. It’s a dangerous form of manipulation. We are all susceptible to it, more than we may want to admit. I’ve come to a sad but obvious realization: Technology and media platforms are built on sycophancy. Developers learned years ago that they could capture our attention, affection, and devotion if they fed us what we wanted. To this end, many of us and especially the younger generations are being distracted, isolated, and even manipulated by media platforms (content, games, socials, shows, movies, influencers, news, etc.). Technology can be a tool… if I’m mature enough to steward it, otherwise it is a weapon that is harming me and others. Today, let’s take a moment to consider the better offer from Jesus. To yoke up with Him. To put off the flesh and put on His spirit. To be set apart from the world. To be renewed in my mind. And so much more that He graces us.

Devotional questions:

• What media platforms occupy my affection, devotion, and attention? 

• What about this media is so enticing?

• What is being lost or missed?

• What happens to the generation if they remain trapped in the endless media cycle?

• Has the Lord ever captured my attention, affection, and devotion before?

• How else could I spend my time and energy, and what would be the benefits?

Prayer Points:

• Jesus, I repent for allowing my affection, attention, and devotion to be divided because of the following (name the things which steal, kill, and destroy).

• I receive your forgiveness. I turn to you. I ask that I would be willing to allow your word to come occupy my heart and mind. May the Holy Spirit renew me and direct me in your path.

• I ask that you would heal the next generation from the snare of technology. Reveal your goodness to them so they would realize you are better than any other source of distraction.