What Are you Watching? - #218

Can you truly love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength while at the same time filling your head with the world’s philosophy, the world’s version of entertainment, the world’s way of coping with life, the world’s definition of pleasure? In the final analysis, anything you see or hear that takes your love and focus away from God, from His word, and from doing His will does not belong in your life.

Learn more about the ministry of The Purity Coach at  http://www.thepuritycoach.com

Transcript

Can you truly love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength while at the same time filling your head with the world’s philosophy, the world’s version of entertainment, the world’s way of coping with life, the world’s definition of pleasure? In the final analysis, anything you see or hear that takes your love and focus away from God, from His word, and from doing His will does not belong in your life.

Welcome to The Point of Purity Podcast. A powerful weekly study filled to the brim with the all the tools from Scripture you will ever need to build a lasting life of Biblical purity and godliness. I’m your host Steve Etner – author, National Speaker, Certified Professional Mentor TM and Purity Coach for The Pure Man Ministry and this is Episode #218 entitled “What are you Watching?”

In Psalm 119:37 David writes “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless [vile] things.” And in Psalm 101:2-3 he says, “I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.”

A “vile and vulgar” thing refers to that which is good for nothing, unprofitable, and can lead to destruction. When you choose to look at that which is vile and vulgar, you are also exposing your mind to those things. When exposed long enough, your mind becomes accustomed to what you are seeing, and your thinking process is distorted. This in turn alters your behavior, and King Me has once again stepped into the enemy’s trap.

This is why David writes, “My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies” (Psalm 25:15). Don’t miss this: What you see impacts what you think, and what you think strongly influences what you say and do. I challenge you to seriously ask yourself what am I choosing to look at? What am I choosing to expose my mind and heart to? What am I seeing and what am I hearing? Why is this so important? Every image and every word have an impact on every thought.

David said, “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes” (Psalm 101:7 ESV). Are you letting those who practice deceit and speak falsely stand in your presence? Are you letting your eyes see that which is exposing your mind to things that are harmful to it, things that are subtly influencing your thoughts, pulling you away from a closer walk with God and a life that honors and glorifies your Creator, Savior, and heavenly Father? 

Now, I guarantee some of you will disagree with me about this, claiming that watching TV or going to the movies is just harmless Hollywood entertainment, and that you can tell the difference between what’s happening on the big screen and what’s real; but let me challenge you to carefully, very carefully, reconsider your stance.

I am not saying you should never watch television or see a movie or play computer games or the like. So, please don’t misunderstand me. I am saying, as Paul did (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22), that you should “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” Are you catching this? We are to hold on only to those things that will glorify and magnify Christ. In Romans 16:17 Paul urges you “to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”

1 John 2:15-16 commands us to “not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”

And Jesus says, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

Can you do that? Can you truly love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength while at the same time filling your head with the world’s philosophy, the world’s version of entertainment, the world’s way of coping with life, the world’s definition of pleasure? In the final analysis, anything you see or hear that pulls your love and focus away from God, from His word, and from doing His will does not belong in your life.

If you do not guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23) by being careful what you allow yourself to see and hear, the deception of Satan will slowly, almost imperceptibly at first creep in and warp your thinking, pulling you farther and farther away from God. You need to (Numbers 33:55) “drive out the inhabitants of the land,” removing anything and everything that promotes King Me worship. If you don’t, “Those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble”.

Jesus Himself said, (Matthew 6:22-23) “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness.” What we see influences what we think, which in turn strongly impacts what we say and do.

This is why Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.”

Now I’m going to step on some toes right now. I’m going to get some of you mad at me. I know this, and yet to be truthful, I don’t care. What I mean is this: I don’t care about your opinion of me, I DO CARE about your relationship with God. To that end I believe we all need to hear this and ask God what He wants us to do with this. I want you to take a moment and think about the typical shows you watch on TV or movies you attend. Consider the typical websites you frequently visit. Now let me remind you that “Bad company ruins good morals.” What kind of “company” are you allowing into your mind through the television and movies, or via the Internet?

If you allow your eyes to see and ears to hear things that do not glorify God, you are allowing your mind to be exposed to and thus think upon things that do not glorify God. Remember, what you think will become what you say and do. So, when you are seeing and hearing that which does not glorify God, your thoughts are influenced and impacted by things that do not glorify God, which will eventually result in a life that does not glorify God. As the children’s song says, “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.” Always watch what you watch.

I am deeply concerned over the things we are allowing into our homes through the television set. Now, before you brand me a religious nut case and think I am too “legalistic” or “restrictive,” please do me the courtesy of at least hearing me out, and then draw your own conclusion.

Imagine for a moment that you are in church for Sunday worship. The pastor stands behind the pulpit and announces a three-week mini-series on maintaining a healthy marriage. To help illustrate the concept of developing proper communication, he begins a role-play. He is playing the part of the husband, and one of the women of the church (not his actual wife) is playing the part of the wife. Again, let me emphasize that they are role-playing – acting out a scene in front of the congregation.

An “argument” has just taken place between the “married” couple. The “husband” (your pastor) then initiates a conversation that de-escalates the situation and calms things down. Once the differences are settled the “husband” (your pastor) wraps his arms around the “wife,” (not his real wife), and they engage in a long, drawn-out kiss. Right there on the platform, in front of everyone.

Are you picturing this scene as I am describing it? Are you reacting negatively to it? You should be. Because the pastor and the woman from the church are not literally married, they have no business hugging and kissing each other, even if it is just “acting.” You should be incensed at what’s happening.

Pastor now steps back behind the pulpit to preach some more as the stage crew changes scenes. As act 2 opens, the scene is quite obviously a bedroom. The “husband” (your pastor) and the “wife” (not his real wife), are now in bed, under the covers, propped up against the headboard, deep in conversation. Her head is on his chest as he runs his fingers through her hair and kisses her forehead.

“Hold your horses!” you scream. “Wait just a minute. That’s wrong. The pastor should be fired on the spot!” you exclaim. “They’re not married. I don’t care if it is just ‘acting,’ they have no business doing that. Especially in church, on a Sunday, in front of the congregation.” And you would be right.

To add to the scenario, during Act 2, while the pastor and the other woman are in the bedroom scene, a man (played by one of the church elders) bursts into the room brandishing a gun. A “fight” between the “husband” (your pastor) ensues. The “husband” (your pastor) wrestles the gun out of the man’s hand and promptly points it at the man’s head and “BANG” pulls the trigger. Imaginary blood spurts everywhere and the man (one of your church elders) falls dead to the floor.

Would that be acceptable in your church? I certainly hope not! Here’s my point. Again, please hear me out. Why do we deem it to be wrong on a Sunday morning in church but ok on a Monday on the television while in the privacy of our home? Why is it sinful to watch a scene like I just described at church but it is okay to watch the same scene unfold on our television set or movie screen between two actors who are not married? Why would it be okay to watch a “murder” on TV but wrong to portray it behind the pulpit on Sunday?

My purpose is not to focus our attention upon the duplicity and double standards, but to point out the subtlety and deviousness of our enemy. What are we allowing to enter our hearts as we sit mindlessly enjoying a TV show?

David writes in Psalm 25:15 “My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.” And his son, Solomon, wrote in Proverbs 4:25, “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”

These verses are saying you must always pay close attention to what you see, considering very carefully the things your eyes are observing. Everything that enters through the eye-gate impacts what you think, and what you think strongly influences what you do.

So again, I repeat the tough but important questions that demand answers: What do you allow your eyes to see? What are you looking at—both digitally, and in real life? Where do your eyes tend to linger? Everything you see (and hear) has a powerful bearing upon everything you think which strongly influences what you say and do.

This is why God says you are to “look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you,” never to the left or the right. Now, we understand this is not being literal. God is not saying it is wrong for your eyes to literally look left or right. So, what exactly is He saying?

In Joshua 1:7 God says, “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” And in Deuteronomy 28:14 we read, “Stay faithful and true to God’s word. Do not allow yourself to deviate from it one little bit. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.”  Again, God’s instructions are very clear.

“Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left.” (Joshua 23:6 )

Now consider Proverbs 4:25 in light of these verses and our understanding of the meaning of “look straight ahead.” The command from God is to “Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.” Your focus, your attention, the things you think about, are to be centered upon the word of God, the will of God, and ultimately the glory of God. How are you doing with that? What action do you need to take to ensure you are doing that on a daily basis?

You see, when you daily choose to make your relationship with the Father the center of your attention, God and God alone will influence and direct your thinking, and thus affect your behavior to become something that glorifies Him. He will “pluck your feet out of the net” (Psalm 25:15).

OK. I want to hit the pause button until next week’s episode. In the meantime, if you’re interested in learning more about The Pure Man Ministry (what we do to help men across the globe find freedom and victory over sexual sin), be sure to visit our website at ThePurityCoach.com.

I am super pumped and uber excited to announce to you the release of my newest book entitled “Living Free: Victory thru Surrender” available now on Amazon. You see, in our journey through life, we often find ourselves teetering at the edge of an ongoing battle of the heart. This book, “Living Free: Victory thru Surrender” will challenge you to examine your worship, your focus, your desires, and the very foundation of your faith: in short, to discover how to live in victory over sin through faithful surrender to God. 

So go to Amazon today and pick up your copy of “Living Free: Victory thru Surrender” - and join me on this transformative journey toward a life of genuine freedom – found not in indulging the fleeting and fickle desires of the flesh, but in truly devoting yourself entirely to the only One who will fully satisfy your soul.

And if you have not yet subscribed to this podcast, let me encourage you to do so today so you won’t miss any of our upcoming episodes! So, until next time this is Steve Etner – author, National Speaker, Certified Professional Mentor TM and Purity Coach for The Pure Man Ministry – reminding you that if you are going to glorify God in your everyday living, He must first be glorified in your every moment thinking.