Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. —Psalm 123:3
“O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself.” - Saint Augustine
There are things in this world that are spiritually neutral.... In other words, they don’t have a positive or negative effect on you spiritually. The problem is that our discernment can become dulled to those things that are acceptable in our culture but contrary to the Word - that are not spiritually neutral and are, in fact, sinful.
Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. - Proverbs 4:23
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 was the “real” message there? If you want to be like me, then you should smoke - and what little boy does not want to be like his dad?
As we observe sin, vicariously, we convince ourselves that it is entertainment and not “really all that bad”. What we don’t realize is that our flesh is at the root of our desire to indulge 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. Ok last verse …
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t trust in your own understanding. In all your ways (including television and movies) acknowledge Him and He will direct your path - Proverbs 3:5-6
No comments:
Post a Comment