“I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.” – Psalms 101:3-4 ESV
We live in a world where dishonesty, perversion, cursing, vulgarity and all kinds of godlessness is not just tolerated but is celebrated.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17 ESV
Yes, as we learn more of the ways of God, it seems like the world and sin has been allowed to take so much of a hold on the things around us. We can find ourselves consuming TV and radio programs that glorify violence, where immoral people demonstrate life examples of indecency and drunkenness and selfishness, where swearing and using the Lord’s name in vain is considered common place, where adultery and deceit and sexual immorality is glorified. And when this is what we choose to consume, it will impact our minds and our lives.
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. – 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 ESV
“Do not be deceived.”
“Do not go on sinning.”
“For some have no knowledge of God.”
“I say this to your shame.”
Do we live in a time where even those who call themselves “Christians” fear guilt and shame and separation from the ways of the world they love — more than they have any fear or love for God?
Are we careful about what we let our eyes see on television and Internet and books and the company that we keep?
Some will hear this message and refuse to let it fall upon their hearts. They will say that I am lifting up heavy burdens because they see godliness as a thing to be despised – they see it as a heavy burden because they have no love for God and His ways. Their only strength is in self and their slavery is to the heavy chains of sin that bind them.
I am telling you that the sin is the burden – it is the poison that is leaving you weak and dying and with a cold and hardened heart. But we can repent, we can confess or sin and be forgiven, we can believe in His promises and walk free, empowered by the Holy Spirit given to those who believe, to those who are reborn as a new creation in Christ.
What needs to be laid down today?
What influences do you need to begin refusing in our lives today?
How can we fill our lives with more of His guidance and instruction and direction and presence?
Pray – heartfelt, humble, contrite prayer surrendering, dying to self and dedicating ourselves to discipleship, sanctification, holiness, godliness, obedience, forgiving others, being a living example of godly love. Turn off the distractions of the world and talk to God, listening for His still, quiet voice.
Read – get into the Word of God, and when conviction comes, decide that you will choose to not just hear the instruction but to obey. Decide to follow, to put your hand to the plow and to not turn back. Turn off the worldly TV programs and Internet and consume the Bread of Life, the Word of God.
Listen – listen to some praise music or hymns or sermons that are about glorifying God. Switch the dial on the radio away from those other influences to one that reminds you of who you are in Christ.
Praise – thank Him for your mammy blessings, sing a song to Him, let your heart be filled with gratitude for His love and for the price paid at Calvary. Switch your mind off from anxiety and worry too trust that He has the best in store for those who love Him
Worship – I’m not talking about a Sunday gathering – I’m talking about a life lived in love, providing for the needy, bringing hope to the imprisoned, isolated and afflicted, sharing the testimony of your life lived out day by day, moment by moment as a testimony and add our reasonable service
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. – Colossians 3:2 NKJV
Harold J. Ballinger 
Marveling in the philosophical and theological possibilities is a lot easier than seeing it played out when a new area is uncovered that we can either cling to or surrender to Christ.
Things that I consider “inappropriate” for my 6 year old daughter – what value are they pouring into my life?
That TV show that is filled with violence, glorifying the demonic, examples of cursing, examples of deceitfulness, examples of hatred and evil shown as “normal behavior”.
What roots have these things been quietly sowing into the depths of my subconscious — so that I would hesitate once I’ve realized that it is not time spent drawing me closer to God’s purpose and will for my life?
What do I find myself resisting — the world and its ways — or walking upright in Christ, not setting my eyes upon anything vile or vulgar?
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