How to Avoid Getting ‘Slimed’ in the Information Age

By Natalie Iguchi

When I was a kid back in the ’80s and ’90s, I used to watch a game show on Nickelodeon called “You Can’t Do That on Television.” Every time a kid had a wrong answer or said, “I don’t know,” a giant bucket of slime would spill over their heads. I thought it was hilarious. I couldn’t get enough! It’s all fun and games until you’re the one getting slimed. I once played a real-life version of the game at a party, and I was still finding remnants of that slime in my hair for a full week!

I had forgotten about that show until this week, when a friend said a phrase that flooded my memories and brought me back to that sensation. I couldn’t really have thought of a better phrase to describe it. We were talking about that feeling you get after you’ve opened up your phone (you know to just check your emails) and instantly get sucked into the news, social media, clickbait and a barrage of influencers: you just feel… “slimy.”

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“As overwhelming as this all feels, we are not without options, and God is not asleep on the job.”

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It starts out innocently enough, but one hour, five articles, and 100 videos later we likely bought a new skin cream, signed up for a “master class,” and diagnosed ourselves with three new diseases. We likely have no idea whether any of what we saw and read was true, but about 125 people in the comment sections sure had a lot to say about it! We aren’t sure why, but we feel a lot worse than we did before. There’s a good chance we’re more anxious about the state of the world, afraid for our kids’ futures, feeling unattractive, and ill-equipped. It feels like someone just poured a bucket of slime over our heads and hearts, and we’re going to need a shower to get it all off.

As a pastor, I’m seeing more and more people dealing with depression, anxiety and feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders as they consume more and more information, experience online bullying, and are flooded with projections of “perfect” people to compare themselves to. At any given moment, you can know about problems happening anywhere in the world. Bad news seems abundant. Leaders disappoint us. As overwhelming as this all feels, we are not without options, and God is not asleep on the job. He cares about what we’re going through.

Even though our modern struggles look different on the outside than what people in the biblical narrative encountered, human nature hasn’t changed much. They encountered struggles, insecurities, and pressure just like we do today. The same solutions still apply. Proverbs 4 is packed with wisdom that would stand the test of time about how to walk through our lives wisely … clearheaded and free from the remnants of slime.

1. Test the substance.

First things first. In the age of misinformation, we are bombarded with so much information it can be hard to sort through what is truth. That is why we must be so familiar with God’s Word that, when we are faced with lies, we can easily identify the difference between truth and popular opinion.

“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” (Proverbs 4:20–22)

Scripture gives us other measures to “test the spirit” of what we hear so that we can discern what is from God. Whenever we’re reading something, and we’re not sure if it’s beneficial, we can ask ourselves these questions:

• Does it match up with what God/Scripture says?
• Does it affirm Jesus as our Savior? (1 John 4:2)
• Is it loving, or does this cause fear or hate? (1 John 4:7)
• Is it beneficial/constructive? (1 Corinthians 10:23)

There’s a good chance that at the end of asking these questions about what you’re consuming, if it’s tempting you to put something/someone else above Him, causing you to hate/dislike yourself or someone else, or to feel fear, or if it’s simply not beneficial … it’s likely slime. What is what you’re consuming inspiring in you? More of Jesus and His love, or … something else?

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“God promises to give us what we need to accomplish His purposes in our lives (Matthew 6:34).”

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2. Slime-proof your life.

Secondly, just because it looks interesting or because other people are consuming it does not mean you need to. Your heart is so incredibly important because what goes into it literally directs your entire life! In verse 23, we are encouraged to guard our hearts… both what goes in, and what comes out. If it’s not life-giving, don’t consume it. And as a representative of God, we’re not to be caught sliming others.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.” (Proverbs 4:23–24 NLT)

3. Stay focused on your path.

Finally, take a moment to look around you. What blessings, tasks, problems and opportunities are right in front of you? Who is right in front of you?

So many times we get overwhelmed because we consume information and formulate opinions about people and problems that have nothing to do with us, and that we have no power to fix. Verse 25 reminds us that something may be causing us to lose our focus, to re-adjust our gaze on what issues we can change, people we can love, and dreams we’re called to accomplish. We can’t fix the whole world, and worrying about it doesn’t help anyone. But God promises to give us what we need to accomplish His purposes in our lives (Matthew 6:34). And anything in between, we can give to Him in prayer.

“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” (Proverbs 4:25–27)

I know life can feel overwhelming, and the tasks before us can feel monumental. I hope that today, you can feel a little lighter knowing that you don’t have to solve everything. All we can do is be faithful with what we have, where we are, and who we’re with. We can trust that God is able to work all things together in His perfect timing, for the good of all. We don’t need to take matters into our own hands or take revenge. He sees and knows. Keep on praying, keep on walking your path, and release the rest to God.

Scripture quotations in this article are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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