Consuming Culture: Why What We Consume Matters

The other day I hopped on Instagram and was met with breaking news: Taylor Swift is engaged! Cue the confetti canons, champagne glasses, and millions of Swifties crying happy tears into their cat-shaped mugs.

Now, I’ll be honest with you, I am not a Swiftie. (Don’t throw tomatoes! Or friendship bracelets!) But as I scrolled through the tidal wave of posts, I found myself thinking less of Taylor and more about entertainment in general. The music we play, the shows we binge, the books stacked on our nightstand… does it actually matter for us as Christians?

The Classic Excuse

I’ve heard it, I’ve said it: “It doesn’t affect me.” Or the close cousin: “It doesn’t make me want to sin.”

But here’s the head-tilting irony: If we truly believe worship music, reading the Bible, and soaking up Christ-centered teaching does affect us for good (and it does!), then why do we think secular entertainment somehow gets a free pass? It’s kind of like saying, “Broccoli nourishes me, but eating Skittles for dinner has no effect whatsoever.” Really?

My Own Netflix Moment

And listen, I’m not preaching this from a pedestal. I struggle too. Just the other day I hopped on Netflix and saw a show I used to watch. Nostalgia hit me, and before I knew it, I was two episodes in.

But then I had to stop myself: What am I doing? This wasn’t glorifying the Lord. It wasn’t filling my heart with anything good or pure. I wasn’t even using my time wisely. It was just an excuse. For me, the excuse usually sounds like: “I deserve a brain break, and the Lord won’t mind.”

Buuuutttt… here’s the thing. Those “brain breaks” have a way of quietly shaping our affections. And if I’m honest, I don’t want my heart dulled to the Lord because of cheap entertainment.

What Scripture Says

This is where Philippians 4:8 comes barreling into the conversation:

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Paul doesn’t give us an exhaustive list of do’s and don’ts. Instead, he gives us a grid. Will this song, book, or show lead me to dwell on what is honorable and pure or is it slowly normalizing sin, even making light of it?

Romans 12:2 adds another layer:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

Translation: our playlists, podcasts, and Friday-night movie marathons aren’t neutral. They shape us. They disciple us.

The Heart Questions

Instead of asking, “Does this make me sin?” what if we asked better questions?

• Does this draw me closer to Christ, or dull my affections for Him?
• Does this celebrate what God calls good, or make light of what He calls sin?
• Am I making excuses to justify something that, deep down, I know isn’t healthy for my soul?

Ouch, I know. Those questions land right in the gut. But sometimes the most freeing thing we can do to stop excusing and start examining.

This Isn’t Legalism

Let me be clear: this isn’t about compiling a master list of “bad” artists or “approved” movies (because then we’d all be arguing about whether The Office is acceptable and nobody has time for that).

This is about slowing down long enough to ask, “Does this glorify the Lord?” Not in a nitpicky, joy-sucking way, but in a way that’s honest, freeing, and ultimately good for our souls.

A Final Thought

We can’t claim that entertainment doesn’t affect us while simultaneously affirming that worship, the Bible, and Christian content do affect us. That’s not logical and it’s not biblical. Everything we consume leaves a mark. The question is: What kind of mark?

Reflect & Respond

Before you turn on Netflix tonight or hit play on Spotify, pause for a moment and ask:

• Does this help me love Christ more?
• Does this celebrate what God calls good, or make light of what He calls sin?

And maybe, just maybe, swap out an hour of scrolling for time in the Word or listening to something that fills your heart with truth. Trust me, it nourishes you more than a bag of Skittles.