7 Media Lies young ladies must resist
It’s scary how fast we can get caught up in the patterns of this world — honestly, it happens in the blink of an eye.
Everywhere you turn, there are too many philosophies, too many stereotypes, and too many people shouting for attention. Everyone seems to be chasing followers, fame, and validation. It’s exhausting. And trying to escape the noise feels almost impossible.
Everywhere you look – TV, movies, Instagram, TikTok — someone is selling an image, a lifestyle, an idea of what “success” or “beauty” should look like.
Perfect lives. Perfect faces. Perfect vacations.
It’s like everyone else is living a dream life, and you’re just… stuck.
You scroll through posts and suddenly you’re asking yourself, “What’s happening to me? Why doesn’t my life look like this?”
I get it.
I’ve been there, I struggled with this lie, too.
There was a time when I was so obsessed with social media that I could spend an entire day scrolling — jumping from one profile to another, watching people live what looked like picture-perfect lives. The next day, I’d binge movies, laughing, snacking on popcorn, thinking that was the good life. I admired celebrities, imagined I was living just like them — until I realized that some of the lessons learned from the media do not align with the word of God.
“What they want from me — in my words, my style, my actions is the complete opposite of what God desires.”
“Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.” Psalms 73:25
Let’s uncover 7 of the biggest lies the media tells young women — and why we must resist them with everything we have.
1. Keeping yourself for marriage and staying pure for God is outdated.
Movies, TV shows, and even social media are full of messages that mock purity. I recently watched a Nollywood movie where a club owner, basically living like a prostitute ended up marrying a pastor, while the faithful church girl ended up alone and miserable. Sadly, this is becoming the norm in entertainment today: making holiness look foolish.
But God’s Word says otherwise: “For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, NIV). Marriage is sacred in God’s eyes, and purity is not “old-fashioned” — it’s obedience, it’s protection, and it’s beautiful.
2. Wearing makeup and dressing expensive attracts acceptance.
The media loves to push the idea that you have to look “glamorous” 24/7 to be loved or respected. Everywhere you turn, there’s an advertisement telling you that you need to be flawless, a perfectly made-up face, perfectly styled hair, and a wardrobe full of designer clothes just to belong. It can feel like if you don’t fit the mold, you’re somehow less worthy. But the truth is, this idea is built on a lie.
Many good, responsible men actually don’t prefer women who wear a lot of makeup, yet somehow, the message still gets out there: “Wear makeup to get attention.”
It’s important to remember that no amount of makeup or trendy clothing will make someone love you for who you truly are. If someone is attracted to you only because of what you wear or how you look, the relationship will likely lack depth. And while makeup may enhance your appearance temporarily, it cannot enhance your real beauty or worth.
I recently watched an interview with Dr. Ijerere, where he talked about how women today are using makeup, often without realizing the damage they’re causing their bodies. He mentioned that many women unknowingly apply over 800 chemicals to their skin and bodies, all in the name of looking good. These chemicals are linked to serious health problems, everything from hormonal imbalances to chronic illnesses like cancer. Young people, including teenage girls, are now facing issues like hormone imbalance and even cancer diagnoses because of the toxins in makeup and beauty products.
Our obsession with external beauty is costing us more than we realize not just in terms of our health, but also in how we view our self-worth. The pressure to live up to an unattainable standard set by the media is causing real harm. We are slowly allowing ourselves to deteriorate, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Proverbs 31:30 reminds us: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Your worth is not in how perfectly you can apply eyeliner or how many likes you get on a selfie. It’s in who God says you are — a beloved daughter, beautifully and wonderfully made in His image. And that’s a beauty that can never be taken away.
3. Being quiet, kind, and gentle means you’re being oppressed.
Culture today often praises loudness, rebellion, and aggression — and labels quietness and gentleness as weakness. But in God’s kingdom, these traits are precious.
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment… Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3:3-4, NIV)
4. Living a simple, quiet life is boring.
The world celebrates drama and the never-ending pursuit of more. But Scripture calls us to something different:
“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11, NLT).
Today, privacy seems like a thing of the past. Everywhere you go, everything is on display. You want to pray or spend time with God, but your camera is on. You want to do something good, and suddenly, everyone knows about it.
The constant need for validation make many to live for the approval of others, but that’s not why we’re here. We don’t live to win the respect of outsiders, our goal is to live in a way that pleases God.
There is true joy and freedom found in simplicity, a kind of richness that no spotlight can ever offer.
5. Having a boyfriend will make me happy.
Movies and music often tell us that love, romance, and having someone by our side will complete us. But the truth is, no relationship no matter how perfect it looks on Instagram, can fill the space in our hearts that was made for God alone.
They go even further, pushing the idea that if you meet a guy and feel even a small spark, the next step is to sleep with him. Suddenly, that’s what makes your love story “great” and “admirable.” But these are the lies the media keeps feeding us, that physical connection equals real love, and that it’s the key to fulfillment.
6. There’s no such thing as absolute truth — only “your truth” and “my truth.”
This lie is everywhere today. “Live your truth.” “Follow your heart.” But feelings are unstable and human hearts are flawed. God’s truth is the only firm foundation we can stand on.
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17, NIV)
7. Having a pretty face, a big butt, and perfect curves means you’re beautiful.
Beauty has been reduced to a formula: certain body measurements, flawless skin, and designer clothes. But real beauty has nothing to do with worldly standards.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30, NIV)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made — whether the world applauds you or not.
Conclusion:
The media has a lot to say about who you should be, how you should look, and what you should chase after — but not everything that’s loud is true.
As daughters of God, we are called to live differently, to swim against the tide. We are called to be holy, set apart, and rooted deeply in the love and truth of Christ.
The pressure is real, yes. But the Spirit of God inside of you is stronger. You don’t have to settle for counterfeit identities or empty promises.
You already have everything you need in Jesus.
So, the next time the world tries to sell you a lie, remember:
“Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.” (Psalm 73:25, NLT)
And that is enough.
