Sweeping Out the Sin, Cleaning Up the Trash: Day 55
Scripture Memory: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” 1 John 2:15-17
Recently, I was cleaning out some old boxes of books from when I was a teenager. I had not gone through them in years. I had forgotten many of the titles. You see, when I was a teenager, I was fascinated with the occult and creepy, spine chilling stories.
In fact these were just the kind of books I refuse to let my own children read. Looking back on those years, I realize how easily I could have taken the path of witchcraft because of my fascination. I am thankful that I put those things aside in favor of a relationship with Jesus.
Not too long ago, we were headed out of town on a short vacation. My husband, who always double checks and triple checks to be sure the house is secure before we go anywhere, had commented to me, “How can we ask God to protect our home and expect Him to do so, when we have things in our house which are not pleasing to the Lord?”
I sat in the passenger seat stunned, as I had never thought about that before. So, the day I was cleaning out the box of books, I immediately grabbed a large trash bag, dumped the books inside and hauled it out to the trash bin.
How many movies, books, magazines, computer games, or video games do you have in your own home that you know would not glorify God? I made a commitment to sweep sin of every form out of my house. Whether it be that really “good” war film that has an inspiring story but a few too many bad words, or a novel that promotes promiscuous living, or your son’s video games where the “good guy” gets to shoot up the “bad guy,” it probably doesn’t have a place in a home where God is the center.
And, while I am on the subject, most television shows are not appropriate for Christians to watch. Any show that glorifies immorality, violence, evil, indifference, or anti-family values is not okay to watch. You might say, "Oh, it doesn't change my beliefs." Or, "I am not affected by the sin on TV. It is just fun to watch. I would never actually do any of those things."
Is that right??
What did Jesus say? "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matthew 5:27-28
Whether you participate in sin physically, or whether you secretly (or not so secretly) participate in sin by watching - you are still participating. It is what is in your heart that matters to God. And if you are not offended by sin when you see it, you are simply not offended by sin. However, God is always offended by sin.
I am always shocked when I hear someone I know who proclaims to be a Chritian mentions being a fan of a secular, immoral television show. Over the last few years I have heard Christian women rave about popular shows like:
Desperate Housewives
Grey's Anatomy
Sex and the City
As a Christian you are held to a higher standard! You are to leave the world behind. Many of these shows are openly pro- same sex relationships, pro- sex outside or marriage, pro- abortion, and more! Non of these topics glorify God. Sometimes I wonder what our guardian angels must think as they witness us time and again partake of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. I know their hearts must tremble with disappointment and sadness! And I know the heart of God is broken beyond what any of us could ever fathom.
As you finish cleaning up the Living Spaces in your house, I want you to go through your movies and music and books and ask yourself - "Is this what Jesus would have me think upon?" Get rid of the trash in your home!
Melissa Ringstaff is the Founding Director of A Virtuous Woman, a pastor's wife, and homeschooling mom. She is the author of several titles including The Homemaker's Journal: Keeping House, If It Were Not So..., and From Chaos to Calm: 15 Weeks to a Happy Home.
Recently, I was cleaning out some old boxes of books from when I was a teenager. I had not gone through them in years. I had forgotten many of the titles. You see, when I was a teenager, I was fascinated with the occult and creepy, spine chilling stories.
In fact these were just the kind of books I refuse to let my own children read. Looking back on those years, I realize how easily I could have taken the path of witchcraft because of my fascination. I am thankful that I put those things aside in favor of a relationship with Jesus.
Not too long ago, we were headed out of town on a short vacation. My husband, who always double checks and triple checks to be sure the house is secure before we go anywhere, had commented to me, “How can we ask God to protect our home and expect Him to do so, when we have things in our house which are not pleasing to the Lord?”
I sat in the passenger seat stunned, as I had never thought about that before. So, the day I was cleaning out the box of books, I immediately grabbed a large trash bag, dumped the books inside and hauled it out to the trash bin.
How many movies, books, magazines, computer games, or video games do you have in your own home that you know would not glorify God? I made a commitment to sweep sin of every form out of my house. Whether it be that really “good” war film that has an inspiring story but a few too many bad words, or a novel that promotes promiscuous living, or your son’s video games where the “good guy” gets to shoot up the “bad guy,” it probably doesn’t have a place in a home where God is the center.
And, while I am on the subject, most television shows are not appropriate for Christians to watch. Any show that glorifies immorality, violence, evil, indifference, or anti-family values is not okay to watch. You might say, "Oh, it doesn't change my beliefs." Or, "I am not affected by the sin on TV. It is just fun to watch. I would never actually do any of those things."
Is that right??
What did Jesus say? "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matthew 5:27-28
Whether you participate in sin physically, or whether you secretly (or not so secretly) participate in sin by watching - you are still participating. It is what is in your heart that matters to God. And if you are not offended by sin when you see it, you are simply not offended by sin. However, God is always offended by sin.
I am always shocked when I hear someone I know who proclaims to be a Chritian mentions being a fan of a secular, immoral television show. Over the last few years I have heard Christian women rave about popular shows like:
Desperate Housewives
Grey's Anatomy
Sex and the City
As a Christian you are held to a higher standard! You are to leave the world behind. Many of these shows are openly pro- same sex relationships, pro- sex outside or marriage, pro- abortion, and more! Non of these topics glorify God. Sometimes I wonder what our guardian angels must think as they witness us time and again partake of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. I know their hearts must tremble with disappointment and sadness! And I know the heart of God is broken beyond what any of us could ever fathom.
As you finish cleaning up the Living Spaces in your house, I want you to go through your movies and music and books and ask yourself - "Is this what Jesus would have me think upon?" Get rid of the trash in your home!
Melissa Ringstaff is the Founding Director of A Virtuous Woman, a pastor's wife, and homeschooling mom. She is the author of several titles including The Homemaker's Journal: Keeping House, If It Were Not So..., and From Chaos to Calm: 15 Weeks to a Happy Home.
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The Sacred Scriptures
Q: By what name did Jesus refer to the sacred writings of the Old Testament, the Bible of His day?A: "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the of the corner?" Matthew 21:42
Q: What title is given the revelation of God to man?
A: "And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Note: It is interesting to note that the word Bible does not occur in the Bible itself. It is derived from the Latin biblia, which came from the Greek biblos, meaning "book." The Greek word byblos, meaning papyrus, the name of the material upon which the ancient books were written. The Greeks called this writing material bublos because they obtained it from the Phoenician port of Byblos.
The Bible has 66 and was written by 35 or 40 men over a period of some fifteen hundred years. The books are cakked the "Word of God," or the "Scriptures." Scriptures means writings.
This weekend...
we went to our wonderful little church in Belcher, Kentucky. The children all played Christmas hymns on the Piano for our "Christmas Program." I was so proud of all of the children and as always it was so nice to see everyone.After potluck, our family headed for Bristol, Virginia (about 93 miles from Belcher - we got one of those new GPS gadgets!) to our Uncle Tommy and Aunt Effie. Since we had the new GPS thing, my husband took us on a new route, which I always love doing. I just enjoy seeing new places!
I love living here in the Appalachian Mountains. One of things I so love about this area are the names - Like Happy, Kentucky and Oven Fork, Kentucky, and Bad Branch Falls, Kentucky. We passed Frying Pan Road along the way over on the Virginia side which was why I even brought this up.
I was blessed to see a Blue Heron on a log in the river. My sweet husband indulged me and turned the car around so I could get a photo. Unfortunately the Blue Heron always eludes me and was gone by the time we turned the car around.
I saw another one flying over the river along side the car a short time later. I grabbed my camera out of my lap and tried to get the window down to get a photo and was not fast enough. I have yet to get a photo despite having seen them several times. (I am trying to get photos of every bird I have seen in person.)
As I stared at the river as we drove looking for another Heron, my husband hit the breaks and says, "You missed the hundred dollar bill looking for the diamond!"
I had no clue what he was talking about as he turned the car around. A moment later he pulled into someone's driveway. Chickens! Pretty Hens. Isn't he sweet?
We visited with Uncle Tommy and Aunt Effie for a little while (such sweet, sweet people!) before heading over to the VA hospital to see Uncle Kenneth. He looks better than when I saw him on Friday at lunch time when we couldn't wake him up and had to call 911.
Oh, I can't wait to share more with you about Aunt Effie, but that is another post!
Before heading home we stopped at the new Earth's Fare in Johnson City, TN. I love this store. I am so glad they came to town! And I was so excited to find Mary Jane's Farm magazine gracing their shelves. Mykal, who spent the whole day sweetly indulging me, bought me my first copy! I had never seen it in person and can't wait to find a few quiet moments this week to sit down and read.
It was a nice day. We didn't get home until late, but the drive was worth it and the lovely people we were able to share the day with made it really special.
Oh, I can't wait to share more with you about Aunt Effie, but that is another post!
Before heading home we stopped at the new Earth's Fare in Johnson City, TN. I love this store. I am so glad they came to town! And I was so excited to find Mary Jane's Farm magazine gracing their shelves. Mykal, who spent the whole day sweetly indulging me, bought me my first copy! I had never seen it in person and can't wait to find a few quiet moments this week to sit down and read.
It was a nice day. We didn't get home until late, but the drive was worth it and the lovely people we were able to share the day with made it really special.
Favorite Bookmarks
- Drudge Report
- Focus on the Family
- Amazing Discoveries
- Amazing Facts
- It Is Written
- Living on a Dime
- Biblical Womanhood
- Everyday Education
- The Old Schoolhouse
- ABC Fun
- Focus on the Family
- Amazing Discoveries
- Amazing Facts
- It Is Written
- Living on a Dime
- Biblical Womanhood
- Everyday Education
- The Old Schoolhouse
- ABC Fun
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