| Issue No. 17 - April 25, 2004 | Back to Home Page |
| WARNING!!! The contents in this edition of THE V.O.I.C.E. are extremely controversial. Fact is, if you read this article, you may walk away from your computer screen a little irritated. That is not my intention! However, I do want to get very specific about a current issue that I believe is very relevant to maintaining Biblical purity. Consider yourself warned. |
Because of the importance of this topic and its sensitive nature, I encourage you to stop now and pray. Ask the Lord to help you to be open, honest and to think objectively about what we will discuss. This article will do you no good if you don’t approach it from a mature, genuinely-concerned position. I promise you, a hostile response to this article will indicate the direction of your life as it concerns purity. Right now, put aside all of your preset thinking, and decide you are going to hear God out. Let’s talk about taking a necessary precaution to staying pure.
ONE DEADLY ANIMAL
When the Rameros first welcomed Sally, the new family pet, into their home, she didn’t weigh much and was only about a foot long. They didn’t know exactly how big Sally would get, but enjoyed watching her grow. Everything was going great with the new pet until July 20, 1993, when Sally attacked the Rameros’ 15-year-old son, Derek, and strangled the teenager until he suffocated to death.
Sally, an 80 pound Burmese Python, had grown to nearly 12 feet in length. In one moment she seemed like a docile, calm, harmless pet, and in the next, she became a deadly beast. (Truthfully, she did not become anything. The deadly animal simply revealed her true inborn instincts as a killer.) Just think, the family had brought this pet into their own home, fed her, sheltered her, and spent family time being entertained by her. As far as they were concerned, she was one of the family! At times, the whole family would gather around and watch her slither up and down living room furniture, and then there were times, no doubt, when Derek was left alone to play with the snake.
Do you suppose there was some misplaced trust in this story? Perhaps they should have expected the true nature of the beast would eventually be exposed. Let me ask it this way, why would anyone have been shocked at the turn of events in the Ramero household? The snake simply acted out of her true character. Sadly, the loss of Derek was the result of some poorly-placed confidence and some parental carelessness.
THE DEADLY ANIMAL OF TV & MOVIES
Alright, I know you’ve read the heading, so you can put down your arms. Let’s apply the illustration. Many of you have invited into your homes (perhaps even rooms) a seemingly harmless animal. You wake up to it, go to bed with it, and spend much of your free time being entertained by it. For many of you, it has become the center of attraction. Every year, it gets bigger and bigger and bigger. You let it amuse you, educate you, thrill you, relax you, interest you, and entertain you. “Why, it’s a great way to spend some time as a family.”
Perhaps you are one who thinks it is rather insignificant . . . harmless . . . but is it? I believe the answer to that question is an emphatic “NO!” The television programming and movie industry of this world is a deadly snake just waiting to expose its true nature as a killer. It may seem to lay down calmly to your command at first (“I can turn it off or on as I like.”) but one day it will rise up in defiance against your principles, your purity, your conscience, your future marriage, and strangle every last bit of purity out of your heart and life. The venom of television and movies has poisoned so many minds, plagued so many marriages, perverted so many teens, and polluted so many homes. Yet, God’s people place a foolish, naive trust in this insidious beast.
Don’t be shocked!!! It should come as no surprise to you. You are playing with a deadly python that will only play for so long. Just give it some time, and it will strike, and when it does, you will be powerless to overcome it.
Even now, if many of you would be honest, you know that your minds and hearts have been poisoned by programs such as “Baywatch,” “Married With Children,” “Friends,” and other such wicked programs of this world. Sadly, some of you have no clue how deadly the bite inflicted upon you is. You think you’re just playing games, when the devil is playing for keeps. Your imaginations have become evil, your day dreams are rated X, and your chances of a God-blessed marriage grow slimmer and slimmer with every program or movie.
I’m going to make a bold statement, and then I’m going to prove its truth. It is impossible for any man to watch the programming of television and retain his purity. There was a time, long ago, when I would not have made this statement. However, a few moments in front of the TV (even watching commercials) is enough evidence to me that this is now very true. Listen, do not think yourself an unusually weak man. God never intended for any man to be able to sit in front of that stuff and stay pure. It is His plan that you flee from it.
One of the greatest dangers of watching TV programs and movies is that no one can tell where your eyes are looking. When you are confronted at the store with an indecently dressed woman, everyone notices where your eyes fall. Because that is true, there is more carefulness in public. However, when you are watching a 36 inch screen, no one can keep your eyes accountable. You have made yourself an easy prey for the devil. Your eyes can freely fall wherever your lustful passions lead them. I promise you, you will not survive!
The Bible says that the “eye is not satisfied with seeing. . .” It may start with just a little “eye candy” on some programs with indecently dressed women who move their bodies seductively, but that appetite will grow like a python until you must have more. Then you will fall right into sensual gluttony and be perverted for life, barring a major miracle of God.
Many of you may foolishly be watching Mtv and VH1, and enjoying all of the filthy passions exploding all over the screen in the Rock videos. You are dooming yourself to the life of a dirty, perverted, sex addict that will never know a moment of clean, pure, God-blessed love. You are going down in a hurry. Turn around now. You have no business watching movies such as “Titanic” and “Three Musketeers” and many of the newer movies that I know nothing about. You are feeding a monster.
“But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting...” Ephesians 5:3-4
“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:32
The Bible makes it clear, we are not to have anything to do with TV and movies that promote adultery, lust, and dirty talking/joking. Notice, Ephesians doesn’t even discuss the act of these sins, it says not to let it even be talked about, “named” around you. Romans goes on to say that God’s condemnation rests not only on those who commit these wicked sins, but also upon those that enjoy it.
How many of God’s people sat around the television last week and enjoyed some filthy jokes with double meaning on “Seinfeld,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” or “M.A.S.H.”? Be not deceived, my friend, God will not be mocked by Christians who take lightly His command of purity. “Cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purify your hearts ye double minded. Be afflicted and mourn and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.” (James 4:8-9) “And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned . . .” (I Cor. 5:2) Humble yourself tonight, my teen friend. Humble yourself tonight, and get your heart right with God. You know what you’re watching is evil.
Someone asks, “How can I tell if I should watch something?” Let me give you a few safeguard questions that will help you greatly. A well known preacher was once asked a question that we should all ask ourselves. Coming home from a long series of out-of-state meetings, his wife asked if he would do her the favor of watching some television with her. He happily agreed. Then she asked him one more request. She said, “Will you ask Jesus to watch the program with us?” He was taken back by the question, and refused to do it. Realizing the point she was making, he made a commitment not to watch anything that the Lord Himself would not watch. With that, here’s a list of good questions:
“Anything that dims my vision for Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible
study, or cramps me in my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult,
is wrong for me; and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it.” J. Wilbur Chapman
I once heard a poem on our subject set in acrostic form. I thought it was pretty accurate.
Theif of morals, theif of time,
Evil bent and full of crime.
Leading young and old astray
Ever from the narrow way.
Vending venom like a snake,
Into minds of small and great.
Seeking those it may destroy,
If there’s but few it can employ.
Only Christ can set them free,
Never more its dupes to be.
You may be wondering at this point, “How can I have victory over this Python that has wrapped itself around me? How can I be free from the poison that seems to have ravaged my body and mind? How can I avoid the evils of TV and Hollywood?” Well, let me tell you . . .
IT’S AS EASY AS A, B, C
“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.” Psalm 101:3-4
Admit there’s a problem.
Until you will be honest about how sinful the programs/movies you watch are, there can be no victory. You cannot compromise a bit with this snake. Admit that you are enjoying sinful pleasures from these worldly entertainments. Admit that your sensual carnal nature is aroused by the filth you see. Admit that you cannot fight this demon in your own strength. Hey, admit there’s a problem!
In Psalm 101, David is honest about the sinful tendency of his flesh to lust after evil things. He knew the powerful hold sensuality has when a man only looks. In essence, he admitted this was a problem that existed. If you do not mark well the enemy of your purity, it will sneak into the camp and eventually leave you lifeless.
Be ready.
Notice how prepared David is. He has determined ahead of time what he will not allow his eyes to see. If you are going to be victorious in this incredibly wicked world, you must be ready. Determine in your heart now that you are not going to watch any of this world’s programming/movies. Determine you “will set no wicked thing before” your eyes. And, having made that strong commitment, be ready!
The devil is going to put up a fight. He will try to draw you in with subtle temptations to your flesh. He may use the sensual image of a woman on a video game. He may try to grab your attention with a billboard, magazine, or commercial. He may tempt you with a Web site. He may lure you with a poster or a picture in a mall. BE READY!!! Don’t let down your guard for a minute.
Create a defense.
No one goes to battle without a plan. David’s plan is pretty clear: “I’m not taking any chances.” That’s the best plan, and in all honesty, it’s the only plan that will win. Just don’t take any chances.
You must create a defense when asked by friends to watch a movie. Be ready with what you will say. Don’t even place yourself in a position where it will be difficult not to compromise. When you are in a place such as the mall where there are things you should not see, create a defense for getting out of there clean. Before you ever enter the check out line at Wal-Mart, have a plan for avoiding those sensual magazines. This is not going to be easy, but you can win. Losing is not an option. To lose is to forfeit everything in this arena. Remember what David’s fall cost him.
A CLOSING NOTE
Perhaps some of you are already a long way down this path. Mark well how you got there. It started with watching the so called “harmless” programming of TV and Hollywood. God can give you the victory. However, it will take a total commitment of yours to step completely out of the realm of this garbage. God will not honor a “half-way covenant” from you. Don’t play games with God. Turn around completely now.
Years ago, I made a bold decision not to watch any TV programming or Hollywood movies for the rest of my life. Nine years later, I believe that was one of the keystone decisions of my life. You might call it a “watershed moment.” I have never regretted it. Since then I have known the power, presence, and blessing of God in incredible ways. I trust you will make the same decision.
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