What Do You Set Before Your Eyes?

      I remember the first T.V. that my parents purchased when I was little.  It had a small square screen and it was in black and white.  We had to sit close in order to get a good view and occasionally we had poor reception.

     Those early model T.V.'s are so ancient in light of today's
technology.  We now can watch shows in color and receive pictures in high definition on larger than life screens.  How times have changed!
     I wish, though, that I could say that times have changed for the better, but they have not.  With the continued moral decay in our country, the programs which are often featured on television are not positive programs, but merely a sad reflection of the condition of our hearts.  Immoral relationships, fornication, stealing, lying, cheating and all manner of sin are presented in shows like it is no big deal.  Children's programming is also in sad condition with many cartoons filled with violence.

     Colossians 2:8 reads:  "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of this world, rather than according to Christ."  Now when Paul wrote this, there were no T.V.'s, but there was always a threat of people being misled by others.
     It is easier today than ever before to be caught up in empty deception.  All we have to do is examine closely the advertising that we see on the tube.  We may be told that if we drive a certain car, wear a certain cologne, or have a certain look, we will succeed.  Likewise, viewing some of the shows can lead to unrealistic expectations in our relationships with others because they are not based on the truth of God's Word but upon worldly values....or lack thereof.
     Our Lord would have us be very careful in how much of our time and energy we spend sitting before the T.V. set or watching movies that make fun of Christian morals and values.  We can tell ourselves that it won't effect us, but we all know that over time these ideas which are radically at odds with God's can undermine our faith.
     Let us instead be diligent to follow David's example when he said this in Psalm 101:3:  "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away;  It shall not fasten its grip on me."  May we also walk away from the shows and programs which are the work of those who do not love the Lord but make fun of His Laws and His Word.  Selah!