"Viewer discretion advised." Have you noticed these words before the start of a movie? What kind of feeling does it elicit from you...? What kind of response...? The phrase is there to tell the viewer that the media experience will include "adult" material not suitable for certain ages. So, what do you do what such a warning? I realize that this is coming across straightforward, but my heart has been convicted to the core as of late. We are surrounded with venues and voices that are endeavoring to appeal to our flesh's appetites. In dwelling on a few Scripture passages and also reading a book simply entitled "Worldliness", I've been freshly challenged to deeply evaluate my casual and even deliberate viewing habits. In other words, what am I allowing into my life... And, in taking time to examine, it almost seems to me that entertainment from the cable and movie industry can't happen without some level of evil - anti-biblical themes: adultery, lust, materialism, violence, greed, gossip. According to the transcultural truths of God's Word, holiness must be contextualized. The Apostle Paul implored the Roman believers (Romans 12:1-2) to offer their bodies as living sacrifices by conforming no longer to the pattern of this world. What does that mean for me and you today? How far are we willing to "reason away" our desire to be entertained at the expense of our loyalty to Christ and our witness in this world? Christ said that "salt" can lose its saltiness. It is clear in Scripture that our passion for Christ is dulled and our surrender to Him, weakened when we ignore the prodding of His Spirit. In addition, His Word tells us not only what to avoid, but also what to pursue: "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." In light of God's Word and your positive impact on the world, viewer discretion IS advised.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Viewer Discretion Advised
"Viewer discretion advised." Have you noticed these words before the start of a movie? What kind of feeling does it elicit from you...? What kind of response...? The phrase is there to tell the viewer that the media experience will include "adult" material not suitable for certain ages. So, what do you do what such a warning? I realize that this is coming across straightforward, but my heart has been convicted to the core as of late. We are surrounded with venues and voices that are endeavoring to appeal to our flesh's appetites. In dwelling on a few Scripture passages and also reading a book simply entitled "Worldliness", I've been freshly challenged to deeply evaluate my casual and even deliberate viewing habits. In other words, what am I allowing into my life... And, in taking time to examine, it almost seems to me that entertainment from the cable and movie industry can't happen without some level of evil - anti-biblical themes: adultery, lust, materialism, violence, greed, gossip. According to the transcultural truths of God's Word, holiness must be contextualized. The Apostle Paul implored the Roman believers (Romans 12:1-2) to offer their bodies as living sacrifices by conforming no longer to the pattern of this world. What does that mean for me and you today? How far are we willing to "reason away" our desire to be entertained at the expense of our loyalty to Christ and our witness in this world? Christ said that "salt" can lose its saltiness. It is clear in Scripture that our passion for Christ is dulled and our surrender to Him, weakened when we ignore the prodding of His Spirit. In addition, His Word tells us not only what to avoid, but also what to pursue: "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." In light of God's Word and your positive impact on the world, viewer discretion IS advised.
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Worldliness. Wow so true how this sneaks up on us and creeps into our lives. In 2 kings when Josiah found the book of the law he and God's people were in morning over how ungodly and sinful their lives had become. He destroyed all idols and their paraphernalia and reinstated Passover. When he is destroying everything it shockingly list among the things he destroyed the male prostitute shrine and the place where sons and daughters were sacrificed. How disgusting and horrible. This sin living had crept up on the people and they obviously were not even aware of how disgusting their lifestyle had become. Let us pray that we are no longer numb to the worldliness around us and that we love what god loves and hate what god hates.
Speaking of how ungodly this world is has anyone else notices that Satan is automatically capitalized with auto spell cheek in iPhone and so is the p in iPhone but god is not!!!!!
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