What Are You Consuming? How Media, Music, and Entertainment Shape Your Mind and Spirit

“Inside of me there are two dogs. One is mean and evil and the other is good, and they fight each other all the time. When asked which one wins I answer, the one I feed the most.” ― Sitting Bull

We live in a world where we are constantly consuming—scrolling through social media, listening to music while we drive, binge-watching shows to unwind, reading headlines, and taking in messages from every direction.

The question isn’t if you’re being influenced. It’s what you’re being influenced by.

Just like the food you eat fuels your physical body, the media you consume feeds your mind and spirit. And over time, those inputs shape your thoughts, attitudes, and even your identity.

You Are What You Consume

That quote from Sitting Bull isn’t just poetic—it’s profoundly practical. The more you feed yourself with fear, comparison, gossip, negativity, or unbiblical values, the more those things grow inside you. They start to take over your thought life, your peace, and your purpose.

On the flip side, when you fill your mind with truth, the beauty of nature, encouragement, and God’s Word, you nourish your inner life in a way that leads to freedom and fruitfulness.

Philippians says this:

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” —Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

That doesn’t mean you can never enjoy a good movie or fun playlist. But it does mean we’re called to be intentional, because what you listen to, watch, and read is not neutral. It’s either strengthening your spirit or feeding your flesh.

You don’t have to be perfect. But you do have to be aware. As believers, we’re not called to copy the behavior of the world. We’re called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” —Romans 12:2 (NLT)

So What Can You Do?

Here are a few simple steps to help guard what you feed your mind and spirit:

1. Audit your intake.

What are you watching, listening to, and scrolling through every day? Would you be comfortable watching or listening to it with Jesus in the room?

2. Make swaps that serve you.

Replace one podcast a week with a sermon or Scripture audio. Swap a playlist for worship music on your walk. Fill your feed with uplifting, truth-speaking accounts.

3. Create intentional space.

Start your day with Scripture, not your phone. Take a media break once a week. Give your mind breathing room so your spirit can speak.

Feed What You Want to Grow

The battle between good and evil isn’t just out in the world—it’s happening in your spirit, your mind, and your daily choices. And every scroll, stream, and song feeds one side or the other.

Choose wisely.

Feed truth.

Nourish your spirit.

Remember: the one you feed the most is the one that wins.

Want help creating healthy habits that support your whole-body wellness—mind, body, and spirit? Let’s grow together.

Amber Dabney Smith

Your Hope Dealer