You've consumed enough *Christian Content*. God wants you to do this instead.

Summary

This video addresses the dangers of overconsuming Christian content in the Information Age and how it may hinder a deeper relationship with God. The speaker encourages viewers to focus on spending quiet time with God, embracing contemplative prayer, and discerning the content that nourishes their spiritual growth. Overconsumption of content may stem from personal struggles or desires for progress, but it can often mask the real need for intimacy and connection with God. The video emphasizes the importance of slowing down, processing what’s being consumed, and allowing God to speak directly to one’s soul.

Takeaways

• 😀 The desire to know more about God is good, but overconsumption of Christian content can prevent a deeper connection with Him.
• 😀 With the abundance of information available today, it's easy to get distracted and miss what God is trying to communicate in our lives.
• 😀 The key to spiritual growth is not just consuming content, but spending time in stillness and allowing God to speak directly to you.
• 😀 Psalm 46 reminds us to 'be still and know that I am God.' Being still and embracing silence is essential for spiritual nourishment.
• 😀 Consuming content is not the same as nourishing your soul. Spiritual growth requires personal, undistracted time with God.
• 😀 Contemplative prayer, which focuses on fixing your attention on God, can be a powerful tool to help you process and understand your relationship with Him.
• 😀 It’s important to discern why we are consuming content—whether it's out of a need for comfort, escape, or actual spiritual growth.
• 😀 Blanket content consumption can harm your spiritual life. Tailor your content consumption to meet your specific, current spiritual needs.
• 😀 Spiritual directors or trusted friends can help process what you're consuming and how it aligns with your spiritual journey.
• 😀 Slowing down and finding moments of silence can help you reconnect with God in ways that consuming content alone cannot achieve.

Q & A

What is the main danger of over-consuming Christian content, according to the speaker?

The main danger is that over-consuming content can prevent individuals from truly spending time with God, listening to His voice, and developing a deeper relationship with Him. Instead of just absorbing information, it is important to focus on connecting with God directly.

How does the speaker suggest we address the overconsumption of content?

The speaker suggests practicing stillness and taking time to be quiet before God. By embracing silence and reflecting on the content we consume, we can better discern what God is speaking to us personally.

Why is contemplative prayer recommended by the speaker?

Contemplative prayer is recommended because it allows individuals to fix their attention on God, focusing on Him without distractions. This practice helps people listen to God and be in His presence, rather than just filling their minds with more content.

What does the speaker mean by 'gazing upon God' in contemplative prayer?

Gazing upon God means focusing your attention on Him, not on consuming more information or content. It involves letting go of distractions and allowing God to reveal Himself to you in silence and stillness.

What does the speaker say about the relationship between knowledge and spiritual growth?

While knowledge is important and can help in spiritual growth, the speaker emphasizes that it is not enough on its own. True spiritual growth comes from spending time with God, listening to Him, and developing a deep relationship with Him.

How does over-consuming content impact prayer life, according to the speaker?

The speaker shares a personal experience where, despite consuming a lot of content, their prayer life became shallow, spending very little quality time with God. Over-consuming content can crowd out meaningful spiritual practices like prayer and reflection.

What is the invitation for those who feel overwhelmed by content?

The invitation is to slow down, be still, and focus on knowing God through direct interaction rather than constantly consuming content. It’s about embracing the silence and seeking intimacy with God, rather than finding temporary solutions through information overload.

Why does the speaker suggest reflecting on what drives our desire to consume content?

The speaker suggests that it is important to reflect on why we are consuming content, as it may be driven by unmet emotional or spiritual needs. Identifying the underlying reasons can help guide us to content that directly addresses our true spiritual and emotional needs.

What role does spiritual direction play in reducing over-consumption of content?

Spiritual direction can help individuals process their spiritual lives and discern what truly nourishes their souls. A spiritual director can guide people through their concerns and help them engage in a more meaningful relationship with God, reducing the need to over-consume content.

What is the danger of consuming content without discerning what we truly need?

Consuming content indiscriminately can lead to confusion, frustration, and a lack of true spiritual growth. Without discerning what we truly need, we may end up further from the connection to God we are seeking, and instead of growing spiritually, we may harm our souls.