Answer: I would like to share with you my experience. I used to be addicted to soap opera, especially romantic drama, court drama and costume sword-play drama. I couldn’t help watching them one episode after another and I was attracted by the virtual figures and the vivid stories. As a Christian, I am very clear of the importance of quieting myself before God to pray and read His words. But every time I wanted to get close to God, the scenes in the soap opera flowed into my mind and I was too disturbed to quiet myself before God. I indulged in the virtual plots of the plays for such a long time that I was listless and felt indifferent in all things. I felt very distressed.
Then I read a Bible verse that says: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8) I also read some of God’s words that say: “it seems like a world of gaiety and splendor, one that is becoming more and more so. When people look upon the world, their hearts are drawn to it, and many are unable to extricate themselves from it; great numbers will be beguiled by those who engage in trickery and sorcery. If you do not strive for progress, and are without ideals, you will be swept away by this sinful wave.” I was afraid of Satan’s control of the world. It uses different ways to control man, bind man to make man stray from God and even betray God so that it can swallow man. But I didn’t have any discernment on satan’s trickery. I considered soap opera as an entertainment in the very beginning and in the end I was completely attracted and controlled by it so as my heart was further and further away from God. Then I wasn’t even able to quiet myself before God to worship God. I could acknowledge the fact that it’s satan’s trickery to lure man into straying from God through soap opera. If we can’t come before God, pray to God and hold firmly to the right path, we can indeed be swallowed by satan.
Then I came before God and sought God’s will on how to betray myself and quiet myself before God. I read God’s words that say: “After God created mankind and gave them spirits, He enjoined them that if they didn’t call out to God, then they would not be able to connect with His Spirit and thus the “satellite television” from heaven would not be received on earth. When God is no longer in people’s spirits there is an empty seat left open for other things, and that’s how Satan seizes the opportunity to get in. When people contact God with their hearts, Satan immediately goes into a panic and rushes to escape. Through mankind’s cries God gives them what they need, but He does not “reside” within them at first. He just constantly gives them aid because of their cries and people gain hardiness from that internal strength so that Satan dare not come here to “play” at its will.” “Do not come into contact with things that can draw your heart away to the outside, and do not come into contact with people who can draw your heart away from God. Drop whatever it is that can distract your heart from being close to God, or stay away from it. That way is more beneficial to your life.” God’s words show me the path to walk: I should first of all offer my prayer to God and tell God the desire of my heart as I was not able to overcome satan by myself. Only through obtaining the power and faith from God could I overcome satan. Secondly, I should get close to God, that is, read and ponder more God’s words intentionally. I should reflect more on God’s love, listen more to the worship songs, pray more to ask God to protect my heart. I should also receive God’s search, fellowship with brothers and sisters more on our experience of God’s words so that I can be occupied by the positive things, not letting satan have the chance to work on me, nor let myself have any chance to be unbridled. I took the initiative to stay away from all that had negative affect on my relationship with God. Thus, I was able to overcome satan’s temptations under God’s protection.
Then, I practiced as God’s words showed me. Every time I wanted to watch soap opera, I would hurriedly come before God and pray, asking God to bless me with faith and strength and to protect my heart so that I can quiet myself before Him. When I relied on God and looked up to God consciously, I was able to quiet myself and take some time to do my devotion and get close to God. Gradually, I focused more and more on God’s words and my desire to watch soap opera was diminishing. After a period of time, my relationship with God returned to normal and I was able to quiet myself before God no matter it’s when I read God’s words or pray. Thank God!