As believers, we have been delivered from darkness and brought into the pure and glorious light of Jesus Christ. Our status has changed; no longer are we citizens of this fallen world, but aliens and strangers, set apart for God’s purpose. This transformation means that our values, our conversations, and even our entertainment must increasingly reflect the holiness of Christ.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ [that is, joined to Him by faith as Saviour], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the former moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings new life].”
2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP

Biblical holiness is not optional. It is the Spirit‑produced fruit of redemption, a necessary mark of the believer who truly lives for Christ.

We Are Called to Be Holy #

Holiness—qāḏōsh (קָדוֹשׁ) in Hebrew—means “set apart” or “sacred.” God’s call to Israel was unambiguous:

“Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.”
Leviticus 20:26 NASB

This holiness was not merely outward. Under the New Covenant, God’s law is written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10). We are no longer clothed in legalism but in the inward transformation of our desires.

The Conflict Between Old and New Nature #

Paul warns believers in Ephesus:

“But sexual immorality and all moral impurity [akatharsia] or greedy desire [pleonexia] for anything must not even be mentioned among you… Let there be no filthiness [aischrotēs] and silly talk [mōrologia], or coarse jesting [eutrapelia]; because such things are not fitting [for saints], but rather thanksgiving.”
Ephesians 5:3–4 AMP

These Greek terms expose the depth of the issue:

• Akatharsia: moral uncleanness—what defiles the interior life
• Pleonexia: insatiable greed—the root of exploitation
• Aischrotēs: shameful behaviour—makes the soul ugly
• Mōrologia: mindless chatter—words that pollute
• Eutrapelia: double‑meaning joking—lewd humour that entangles

These are not unimportant things. They may be socially acceptable, but they clash sharply with the life of a follower of Christ.

Old Nature vs. New Life in Christ #

Discernment in Media and Entertainment #

The entertainment industries often celebrate darkness disguised as humour or art. Many films and shows subtly glorify:

• Lust over purity (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5)
• Violence rather than peace (1 John 4:7–8; Titus 1:7)
• Pride and rebellion instead of humility

This is more than entertainment; it shapes the worldview of its audience (2 Corinthians 10:4–5). It can unwittingly cultivate godlessness away from the lips and into the heart.

That does not mean every film is disqualified. But it does require the believer to filter through these spiritual questions:

“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.”
1 Corinthians 10:23 NASB

Guarding the Mind and Heart #

The mind of Christ must be formed in us daily:

“Do not be conformed to this world… but be transformed and progressively changed… by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:2 AMP

When we fill our minds with worldly content, even if seemingly innocent, our moral sensitivity dulls. The antidote is the nourishing Word of God:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Colossians 3:16 ESV

And:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—dwell on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 NASB

Media Discernment Checklist #

Could Christians Avoid Every Modern Medium? #

No, not necessarily. Yet the cost of conformity can be far greater than financial or social: it can be spiritual numbness. Better to draw near to holiness than to acclaim human creativity that mocks the Creator.

Paul’s life offers balance and courage:

“All things are lawful… but I will not be dominated by anything.”
1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB

Renewing the Mind Through Christ #

What should fill our senses instead?

1. God’s Word – Isaiah, Psalms, Gospel narratives
2. Spirit‑filled fellowship – mutual encouragement (Hebrews 10:24–25)
3. Worship & song – signs of spiritual vitality (Ephesians 5:19)
4. Prayer & solitude with Jesus – where the soul breathes

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16 ESV)
“Whatever is pure… dwell on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 NASB)
“Abide in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:4 NASB)

As we cultivate these habits, the world loses its allure, and Christ becomes our true source of joy.

Christ as Our Focus #

Our enemies are not physical, but spiritual (Ephesians 6:12). And the field of combat is not always the church—it is what we feed our minds with. The world is alluring, but it is passing away. Meanwhile,

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Colossians 1:27

When Christ dwells in us, the world no longer fits the soul He inhabits. Let us hunger for His purity, fill our minds with His truth, and refuse the spectacles that dim His light in us.

Christ: Our Wisdom and Holiness Within #

Under the Old Covenant, holiness was largely external; ritual washings, ceremonial laws, dietary restrictions, and temple-based observances were the symbols of being set apart. But these pointed to something greater: the inner transformation that comes through Christ.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.”
1 Corinthians 1:30 NASB

Here, the Greek word for “wisdom” is sophia (σοφία), meaning divine insight and truth that comes from union with Christ. The word for sanctification is hagiasmos (ἁγιασμός), meaning holiness, not by ritual, but by being made inwardly sacred and pure.

In contrast to external forms, Jesus becomes the living embodiment of holiness within us. He does not give us rules alone—He gives us Himself.

“The law came through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
John 1:17 AMP

📜 Old vs. New Covenant Holiness #

Holiness Is Christ Within #

Holiness is not about rules for the sake of religion. Holiness is a Person—Christ in us. He is both the source and the standard.

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Colossians 1:27

Jesus didn’t come to improve our old selves. He came to crucify the old and raise a new man within—holy, not by ritual, but by nature (Ephesians 4:24).

“Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:24 NIV

This is the power of the New Covenant: no longer is holiness something we strive to perform—it is Someone we host within. The more we gaze on Him, the more we are transformed.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

Final Words of Encouragement #

Beloved, you are not condemned by your struggle to live set apart—you are being refined by it. Let your contentment be in the Lord alone. Let your spirit grow by His Word. Let your life speak to a world that cannot hear Christ with its ears, but can feel Him through your love, purity, and integrity.

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
Matthew 12:34 NASB

Guard your heart with God’s truth (Proverbs 4:23). May Christ’s life be fully formed in you (Galatians 2:20).

True holiness is not cosmetic—it is Christic.

When we let Christ be our wisdom, He reshapes our decisions. When we let Him be our sanctification, He purifies our desires. When we let Him be our redemption, He replaces every form of entertainment and identity that defiles us with His divine glory.

All this is only when Christ is in you, you are moved by the Holy Spirit, you are dead to the world, dead to Adam and the flesh, but alive in Christ and the Spirit.

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
Galatians 2:20 NKJV

Grace and peace be multiplied to you,
Shaliach.

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