Do you ever find yourself watching a reality show on TV or a video on the internet, showing people swearing at each other, arguing, gossiping, and treating other people disrespectfully? Does the thought cross your mind that you really shouldn’t be watching this? Don’t we get attracted to the news story about the corrupt politician, having an affair, or the gruesome crime, and want to know all the details? How about the “funny” morning radio show making fun of everyone and full of vulgar jokes? If you feel like this is probably not right, Your apprehension is likely your conscience.
The apostle Paul says in his letter to the Philippians 4:8-9 “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.”
We need to stop and think about what we are putting in our minds when we watch TV, listen to the radio, or read for entertainment. Is it true, honorable, just pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, and worthy of praise? If not, why are we giving it our attention?
Dear Lord, remind us to focus on the beauty and greatness you created and not get drawn into the negative and vulgar that break down our Christian character and give energy to the wrong things in the world. In Jesus Name. Amen
Amen and amen
A very thoughtful message today and important advice. I am 61 and when something happens in life, it will often trigger a memory of an advertising slogan from the late 1960 or 1970s. My young brain was soaking up “programming” from the world that plays back like a recording….. still impacting my thinking as I get old. We need to be careful what our young kids are watching and listening to….. messages at that age seem to imprint and stay in our memory for the entirety of our lives. This is also true for songs we sang in Sunday school. The use of Christ centered most basic truths can be imprinted into memory of a child and always be remembered.