Psalms 101:3-4 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.
These verses reminded me of what Job said in Job 31:1, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?" This was a very wise move on his part, to avoid being lured in by temptation, and ultimately give in to sin. Sadly, today, we allow many things to linger far too long before our eyes. Not only do we allow ourselves to watch what is not edifying, but we also listen to things that are not God-honoring. Interestingly, two of the easiest avenues for the body to be affected by sickness are the eyes and the ears. This is also true spiritually. We can become sick by what we choose to watch and listen to. If we are not careful to protect ourselves from that which is evil, it will penetrate our hearts and minds, stirring our fleshly lusts, and leading us down the path of sin. In the Garden, note what approach Satan took to deceive and tempt Eve. He first created a doubt in her mind about what God said, then he put something before her eyes. She listened to the serpent's lies, then allowed herself to covet what he put before her eyes. From that point forward we read nothing more about the serpent, in that interaction. The moment she allowed herself to lust after what was not hers to take, the serpent's job was done. Eve's own desires would do the rest. We must do all that we can, in Christ Jesus, to avoid those things that lead us down the path to be tempted, and eventually give in to sin. Sadly, the devils and this world system is bent on continually bombarding us with things that entice the flesh. Knowing this, we as born again believers still choose to watch, and listen to, things that are inappropriate and things that even mock and speak evil against God. We justify it, and excuse it, by telling ourselves and others that we have liberty in Jesus, and "these things don't affect me that way"; a lie that the devils want us to be convinced of. We need to stop making excuses, and start purging those things from our lives that keep infecting our spiritual walk and making us spiritually sick. Ultimately, we need to ask ourselves, "What would Jesus say if He appeared while I was watching, or listening to, the things I routinely watch or listen to?" Let us make a concerted effort (us and the Holy Spirit working in us) to put our eyes on Jesus, and start listening to His Word; then take it a step further by being doers of His Word.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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