I read this reflection from St.. John of Kronstadt a couple days ago, but it was so pertinent to our 21st century situation that I re-read it again today. I need all the reminders can get not to be conformed to the world. These days, that includes considering the sources from which I derive wisdom:

“After our own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” (John 6:27) Is not this what men of the world and even many of the clergy are now doing? Do they not choose for themselves teachers that flatter their hearing? They do not learn of the one Teacher — Christ — from His gospel and His Church, but they learn of worldly journalists, novelists, poets, actors … and exclaim, “Ah, how interesting all this is! How instructive it all is!” and say, if not in words, then by their deeds: “We have no need of either the Gospel or the Church, with its services, its sacraments and preaching of God’s Word. We have such good, such most moral teachers.” Lord Jesus! To what have we come? They have cast Thy words behind them.

But then, because it’s easy to just criticize the world’s culture, Fr. John addresses himself and calls to mind our help from heaven:

Do not be despondent and do not fall into despair when you feel within your soul the deadly breath and ferment of malice and evil, impatience and blasphemy, or any weakness from impure thoughts; but fight against them unremittingly and endure valiantly, calling with all your heart upon the Lord Jesus — the conqueror of hell. Humble yourself deeply, deeply, acknowledging yourself from the depths of your soul as the first of sinners, unworthy of human fellowship, and the Lord, seeing your humility and your struggle, will help you. Call also to your help the speedy Mediatrix, the Most Holy Virgin, the Mother of God, saying, “Heal, most pure Lady, the many painful wounds of my soul, and strike the enemies constantly fighting against me.”

– St. John of Kronstadt, “My Life in Christ”