Certain entertainment can be a definite hindrance to one’s walk with the Lord.  It can not only steal our time, but also influence our thoughts and attitudes. Throughout my Christian walk, I’ve had to get rid of many detrimental habits or interests along the way.  One of the first was soap operas! One day I realized I wanted to pray for the characters!!!!! Kinda funny but it was hard to give it up.  Worse though, are some disgusting images from movies I have seen that I can’t get rid of. I relate to the Sunday School song that says, “Oh Be Careful Little Eyes, What You See.”  It goes on to say, “ears, what you hear. . . hands, what you touch . . .  mind, what you think.” The last line in each verse says with the corresponding words, “For the Father up above is looking down in love. Oh be careful little (eyes, ears, hands, mind) what you (see, hear, touch, think).”

The Lord was faithful to bring conviction when necessary and we even had to get rid of our T.V. for about 4 years, when our kids were little.  That wasn’t the end of the struggle, but it was a good start.  I think the most significant step for me was when I was challenged to ask the Lord to watch or read with me.  I seem to remember saying during some scene in a movie or series, “Oh God.  I’m sorry You had to see that!”  It was embarrassing. Knowing my precious, holy Jesus was watching made it totally unacceptable.*

Psalm 101:3I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. (NASB). Habakkuk 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. . .(NIV)

It changed my life.

From the journal . . . April 2011

I had been talking to the Lord about my movie watching.

Lord, in the last couple weeks I watched all six Rocky* movies. Rocky had heart.  I like that. He was rough but he had a fear of God. Before that, I had watched Parenthood*.  The characters often take Your name in vain.  When Helen says ‘God damn it’, she is mad at something that went wrong.  She’s just a character but to ask You to damn evil is actually appropriate. However, it’s doubtful that she or the writers are thinking of You.  It makes me think of You. Another time she looks up in frustration and says, “Christ”.  In her situation, I very likely would have called out to You for help but it wouldn’t have been in vain. Jesus, thank You for watching with me.  Lord, fill me with Your spirit as I watch T.V.  Please continue to let me know if, and when I should turn the TV off.

And I Believe God Said:

Continue to look to My ways.  There is much evil in the world.  There is much that needs saving.  Look for truth so you will recognize ‘not truth’.

Deut 10:12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.

“The best way to easily identify a counterfeit currency is to have a full exposure to the original currency. If you don’t know your true vision, any satanic vision can cross your way and you might not know it.”
― Israelmore Ayivor

Jer 17:9 The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
    and desperately wicked.
    Who really knows how bad it is? NLT

Psalm 18:30 God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. NLT

2 Tim 2:19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” NLT

*Rocky. Sylvester Stalone. 1976-2007 PG         Parenthood . Steve Martin. 1989 PG-13