Sunday morning started off with me turning on the TV while I was getting ready for church. First I landed on some channel with a pastor chatting with someone at a table. They were discussing the Bible and I heard a couple of religious comments that made me want to change the channel, but then he said, “Sometimes God gives people sickness to reach them.” What? Where is that in the bible? If it is in there, please show me.
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
I immediately got up and turned to another preacher. Then I heard something else that wasn’t biblical. Sigh … so I tried to find something else. I finally landed on some home improvement channel just in time to hear a commercial about depression. The person speaking kept confessing over and over, “My depression, my depression, my depression …” I couldn’t stand it anymore. How many people claim this stuff as their own? It isn’t “theirs” but it belongs to the one who sent it. It may be attacking them, but I certainly wouldn’t claim it as “mine” … (Remember what I’ve said about our words?)
The day passed by and then the Super Bowl came on. Neither me nor my husband were interested in the game, but watched it to see the new commercials.
Before our daughter’s bed time rolled around, the Audi commercial came on. In case you missed it, the commercial was about a bunch of vampires meeting around a camp fire (pictured here). The “people” would smile and their fangs would grow. When the vampire driving the Audi pulled up, his bright (as day) lights shined on the party and some of the vampires hissed. Each vampire vanished and turned into smoke. It wasn’t anything I wanted to see nor did I want my 6-year-old daughter seeing it! Seriously, we “SEE” in pictures. I can think about that commercial and see the demonic each time. Argh. So many Christians are into this vampire culture that it seems normal — even popular.
I watched an interview the other day on Sid Roth where a woman gifted in setting the captives free — especially children — reported that the Twilight series has young girls begging the actors to bite them so they will become vampires too. These are young girls who are too young to realize that the actors aren’t really vampires.
I am disgusted with compromise!
Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
I’m not trying to hurt anyone. This is my view. If you can prove to me that bringing vampire stuff into your life is of God, then please — show me. What do darkness and light have in common? Am I missing something?
I’m not trying to heap condemnation on ANYONE. Please hear my heart. Satan tricks us to open certain doors in our lives. Just be aware of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:11 states we are not unaware of his schemes.) No condemnation.
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I have a friend who hasn’t had a TV in her home in over a year now. I’m beginning to think that isn’t such a bad idea.
Yesterday our pastor talked about how we can’t totally shield our children because one day they have to face the real world. That is true, but we also have a choice about what we allow to enter our homes, our eye-gates, and our thoughts. It is our responsibility to keep our homes clean spiritually. We need to give our children a firm foundation while they are young.
As adults, what are we allowing into our thoughts? What are we watching and listening to that desensitizes us to evil?
What words do we come into agreement with in the songs we enjoy?
I don’t want to allow anything into my spirit that isn’t truth. Ya know? I have had enough lies to overcome without adding to them.
I think it is our responsibility as adults/parents to act as gatekeepers. What we allow into our home will mold and shape what our children view as ACCEPTABLE. It even shapes what we deem acceptable too. Water dripping in the same spot over time will change a slab of rock. Compromise dripping over time in our lives will eventually shade our vision.
Ok, I will step down from my soap box for today.
I am linking with these folks:
(Photo credit: audi vampires)
You are so right. Over the last year we have become so much more aware of the things that we allow our daughter to see. It is sad to me the things that are considered normal and ok in our society, that young children see everyday and are already being desensitized by. The Halloween season just about did me in. I cannot believe the horrors they will put on tv, even in commercials during the day when children are watching most.
I’m with you, Beth. I do have a TV and do watch it, but I try to watch only recorded shows so at least I can be more in control of what I’m seeing. I’m sure I need to be even more discerning though. TV is far more than just a “time-waster”; it can gradually suck away our allegiance to purity in Jesus.
That’s how the enemies’ tricks come on…subtly…but deadly! I find it helpful to talk things like those you mentioned with my son. I know that he will continue to see or hear things that will go against with what he believed in. I’m thankful He is the Shield! (Ps.3:3). As Christians, we are commanded to share what we know about His Good News. We may be surrounded with the darkness all around, but it does make a difference when we don’t add nor remove anything for the Truth.
I saw that commercial from Audi and I didn’t find it amusing. I was glad my son chose to just do his homework and missed the other ones that would not help us grow in our spiritual state. May the Lord continue to empower us and give us His discernment. And protection!!! Blessings.
I absolutely AGREE!!! My husband and I have become disgusted at some of the “television programing” (telling your vision (brain) to reprogram is more like it)and we cut out our cable completely! We only watch TV together (to monitor what they watch) and some of the cartoons we were watching with our children were questionable. I have to agree that we all need to take stock in what we allow in our homes and thoughts. I also think that the video games they play also can persuade them…I have noticed certain behaviors in my children when they have played Sonic the Hedgehog?! SMH (I am still researching him) GREAT post! I will be subscribing to your blog also!
I agree with you, Beth. A great post ~
I have been reminded more vividly that ever this week of how the evil one comes to destroy and kill. I’m angry and fighting mad. So therefore I put on my armor and GO. Thank you friend.
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I could not possibly agree with you more!! We allow evil to trickle into our homes and hearts and minds so subtly that we barely notice it. And it takes root so much more easily than the good stuff. Satan is the “prince” of this world, but his time is running out. May we fasten our eyes on the true King and toss out all the garbage that distracts us from that focus!!
You’re right Kasey. People just don’t see the danger. They just don’t SEE.
Thank you for commenting.