At times the Bible stuns me with it’s up-to-date perspective. For example, Psalm 1 starts out like this:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Modern communication systems create unlimited seats for scoffers. Social media rewards derision and mocking. Debates turn into slander and name-calling. News feeds fill with celebrity gossip and political retribution.

Jesus spoke to this phenomenon. What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.

Look at the words Jesus used and see if they describe what we take in from our phones every day: evil thoughts, deceit, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.

How do I counter this culture I swim in? The psalmist gives the answer—delight in the law of the Lord. Time spent in the Scriptures, reading and thinking about the concepts found within yields unparalleled benefits. From this practice comes the fruit of prosperity and a good life.

Internet trolls are like chaff the wind blows away. No future is found in that snarky world. I’m better served to lay my news feeds and media accounts down and pick up my Bible. By moving off my throne, and taking a humble seat before the Lord, I create a better world for myself and those around me.

Psalm 1 & Mark 7

Photo by Borna Hržina