Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

One of the vices of which the Lord has convicted me recently is watching too much television. I go through times when I watch almost none at all, then I gradually slide back into my old habit of spending many of my waking hours in front of the tube. Besides being a monumental waste of time, TV usually makes me feel angry and depressed, even when I'm watching wholesome fare (not much of that around, unfortunately). It also encourages me to compromise deeply felt principles. One hard and fast rule I've followed for many years is not to watch a movie with an "R" rating. Yet, I do not hesitate to watch these movies once they're sanitized for network TV, with a reduced body count or editing of explicit sexual material.

I have an equally ambivalent attitude towards PG-13 movies, which more often than not "only" have some filthy language thrown in to assure the rating. The whole concept of following the world's system of rating entertainment is flawed anyway; what I am forced to do is to accept the world's notion of what is good or bad, and that changes over time. As people in my generation well know, we can now see and hear things in primetime TV that our parents couldn't see or hear even in movie theaters. Over time, we've come to accept things, both as Americans and Christians, which would have scandalized an earlier generation.

Most of us have heard the story of the frog in the kettle; drop a frog into a pot of hot water, and he will immediately jump out. Put him in cold water, and heat it up gradually, and he'll stay there until he dies. That's what has happened to many of us as Christians, and explains why there is so little difference between the church and the world. It's like compound interest; at first, it doesn't amount to much, but over time it really adds up.

How many Christians have fuzz busters in their cars, or routinely exceed the speed limit, and see nothing wrong with it? How many have marriages that end in divorce, usually for causes other than adultery or desertion (recent statistics indicate the divorce rate for Christians is higher than for non-Christians)? How many of us, like me, will justify seeing a movie because it has "just violence" or "just a little profanity"? How many bend the rules on their taxes, or carry company property home for their private use? Is reading a racy novel OK? What about skipping church for a basketball game?

One of the guiding spiritual objectives for Gideons is to be "men of a separated walk." God has called all of us to be holy, set apart for his use (Leviticus 20:7-8). While we have to live in the world, we shouldn't be of the world. Israel's downfall came from adopting the ways, customs, and gods of the surrounding nations, and of the Canaanites in their midst. If we compromise our beliefs and standards, just a little bit, we end up no better than the world called us out of.

This is one of the areas of our lives that require regular inspection. First, we have to have firmly planted in our minds what the Biblical standard of behavior is. It can be summed up in the popular WWJD slogan, "What would Jesus do?" Beyond that, we need to know what the Word says about the ways we should behave, the ways we should think, and the places we should and shouldn't go. If we deliberately take garbage into our minds, as happens with computes, then garbage is what comes out. If our thought life is devoted to pursuit of the world's version of success and happiness, there is little room left for thinking on Christ.

Second, if we understand what the standard is, we must be honest with ourselves in how we measure up. We'll always fall short at some point, this side of glory, but we need to recognize that. A Christian who ignores his or her behavior in light of the standards God sets is backsliding. We don't always recognize what we're doing, so we need to ask the Holy Sprit's discernment and wisdom. We can't wait weeks or months for this kind of self-examination; it needs to be done every day.

Finally, as we recognize areas where we have fallen short of the standard, and adopted the world's standard instead, we need to confess this to God, and ask his forgiveness. Having done that, we need to repent, and turn away from whatever attitude or action we engaged in. Confession is necessary, but if it isn't accompanied by repentance, we're no better off than before. We just keep doing the same things over and over. For me, it's not enough to recognize that I shouldn't be watching some of the programs or movies I watch; with God's help, I have to stop doing it altogether. How hot is the water you're in?

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JESUS IS the Bridge Ministries

Beneath His Wings Devotionals - Vol. 2