“Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are
exceedingly filled with contempt.” —Psalm 123:3
Most of us struggle with embracing those things that are
acceptable in our culture but contrary to the Word. Without a spiritual perspective, it is so
easy to accept what man says is good and what God says is not good or right. We
are bombarded, every day, with sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle
messages declaring an alternate truth, contrary to the Word of God. Without the
influence of the Spirit of God and the light of the Word of God, we are bound
to accept the lie as truth.
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped
and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.” –
Romans 1:25
There are certain things in everyone’s life that we cling
to, even though, in our heart, we know they are not right. There are things that we teach our children
are wrong, yet we will sit in our living rooms and watch those wrong things
being played out on the television screen or in a movie theater. What you allow in your home through music and
visual media is a statement by you to your children that those things are
acceptable. Do this. The next time you watch your favorite
television show, count those things (words or relationships) that are contrary
to the Word of God. Each one is a
lesson. There is an old adage “Do as I
say, not as I do.” Well, I would suggest
that that opposite of that is in effect in most homes .. “Don’t do as I say, do
as I do.” I can remember when I was a
little boy, my dad told me not to smoke because it was bad for me. All the while he was smoking a
cigarette. What is the “real” message
there? If you want to be like me, then
you should smoke.
“Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow
the springs of life.” – Proverbs 4:23
As we observe sin, vicariously, we convince ourselves that
it is entertainment and not “really all that bad”. What we forget is that our flesh is at the
root of it. Sin is attractive to our
flesh because our flesh is sinful. Look,
you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig! Whether it is language, life style, or sinful
behavior … it promotes those things that are supposed to have been crucified in
your life.
Bottom line, if you crave those things, you have a sin
problem. Hope you don’t stop reading my
devotions because of that! Our country
has a problem with violence and the most popular television shows are about
people killing people. Parents fear their
daughters getting pregnant before marriage, yet most movies and television
dramas portray and promote extra-marital sex.
The same media that is slamming men for sexual aggression toward women
is promoting Victoria Secret in China, the world’s sexiest man, and promoting
women as sex objects at every turn.
Think about it Church! It’s the
frog in the pot. Christians are being
boiled alive … and they think the water is just right! Don’t try to vindicate yourself .. justify
you actions .. confess and repent .. honor God in all you do.
Pray about this … and listen for the Spirit to guide you.
I’ll close with a couple of verses that you might consider.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is
honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.” –
Philippians 4:8
“This Book of the Law [the Word of God] shall not depart
from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make
your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded
you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,
for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:8-9
Stop turning your spiritual nature off when you turn your TV
on or sit down in a movie theater. If
you think the pressure of the culture and the threat of rejection is too great,
remember that our God is greater.
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated
me [Jesus] first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.
As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the
world. That is why the world hates you.” – John 15:18-19
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