December 8, 1992
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission now concludes there is “a link” between violence portrayed on television and violence in society but it is “not necessarily one of cause and effect.”
Interesting. What do advertisers think about the relationship between their commercials and the effect it has on consumers? Are sales merely a link? Or do commercials have a definite cause/effect relationship to consumer buying habits?
Profit studies and statistics say commercials definitely effect buyers. If they didn’t, why would any company pay media advertising fees? A half-minute spot on a show such as Murphy Brown costs over $300,000 — that is over $10,000 a second! Those kinds of rates are an indication of profits; people do respond to commercials.
But the CRTC is right in not being too hasty to attribute cause and effect. There is always more than one factor involved in issues like human behavior. Psychologists debate whether nature and genetics are the greater influence or is it environment and the way people are nurtured that cause them to live as they do? Many would agree that both factors play a part.
The Bible supports the both nature and nurture theory, but not quite the same way as would psychologists. Jesus, while not commenting on the effects of television violence, did say where violence begins: “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”
While we were made in the image of God and do have potential to do tremendous good, Jesus is pointing out that sin has marred that image and gives us the capacity for tremendous evil. It is this propensity for sin that causes sinful thoughts, and we all have them.
As for the nurture side of things, God holds us accountable for how we raise our children, how we govern our lives, and how we deal with our sin. We need to recognize that when evil thoughts are given any priority at all, they easily lead to sinful actions. Nurture means we need to avoid whatever feeds that human tendency to sin.
Certainly such factors as our conscience and social pressures constrain evil too. Otherwise we could never live in a sinful world without personally participating in all its sin. Yet if our conscious is dulled by viewing a dozen murders a night on television (tests prove that it is dulled) and television programming begins to exalt violent people, the effects of conscience and social pressure are reduced. That kind of nurture makes it much more difficult to keep sinful thoughts from turning into sinful actions.
The psalmist did not have a television set but he knew this principle long before psychologists tested it. He said, “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.” Instead, he determined, “My eyes are ever toward the LORD, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.”
Scripture says “Where there is no vision the people perish” not “no television.” The violence depicted is not profitable for enjoying life as God intended, a life of goodness and peace. We can lobby for better programming yet in lieu of that possibility, the best initiative to take may be in finding our entertainment elsewhere and simply shutting it off.
Showing posts with label protecting ourselves from sin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label protecting ourselves from sin. Show all posts
Monday, November 2, 2015
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Spiritual Protection ................. Parables 230
(date sometime in fall of 1990)
When he was actively farming, my dad added a “hard hat” to his working clothes. It was the full-brimmed kind, silver in color with numerous scratches and dents. It went well with his tattered overalls, well-worn plaid shirt, wool socks and scuffed work boots. He said the “louder clang” made him more aware of how frequently he whacked his head against a piece of machinery.
My problem is not with my head but my feet. Every time I go barefoot, I stub my toes or drop something on them. I probably do it with shoes too, but don’t notice so much. The bruises help me remember to keep my feet protected.
Back in New Testament days, a Roman foot soldier needed all his clothing too. If he left his sword and shield at home, he quickly discovered how painful the enemy’s arrows can be to an unprotected body.
Seems to me that only a foolish fighter would forget his weapons or his defense but it must have happened because Paul used the armor of a soldier to illustrate a warning to His warriors. Ephesians 6 says: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against... spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The Bible speaks metaphorically of this divine armor:
BELT OF TRUTH - In Bible times, the soldier’s belt bound up flapping garments that might hinder him in battle. Since we battle Satan, the father of lies, it is important to gird ourselves with truth, as well as an inner quality of truthfulness. Anything less and we can lose the battle.
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - The Roman foot soldier was wrapped at his most vulnerable part with a tough breastplate. This is also the need of a Christian. We need to be wrapped with righteousness, not only the garment of righteousness which is given to us at salvation, but the current condition of our lives. Any believer caught up in unrighteous activity is already losing.
SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE - The battlefields were covered with stones that easily put a barefoot warrior out of commission. He needed proper footgear. The Christian does too. Our footwear is peace with God through faith in the gospel and assurance that all is well with our soul. This gives us confidence, even in a crisis and is so important because when anxiety takes over, the dominion of the enemy is not far behind.
SHIELD OF FAITH - This was not the small shield used in hand-to-hand combat but the large one that protected the soldier’s entire body. Christians need a faith that is sufficient for all that the enemy hurls, a shield that is adequate to extinguish his lies with their power to tempt, deceive and discourage. Without it, we are extremely vulnerable.
HELMET OF SALVATION - The soldier’s head needed armor. So does ours, to protect us against false ideas such as: “Look at all those negatives in your life... how can God love you...?” The warrior who knows He belongs to God and knows he is loved, no matter what, is an invincible fighter.
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT - which is the Word of God. How else can one fight a lie but with the truth? However, it is one thing to know it, to be convinced of it, to have it in our hearts, to even live it out... but when the lie comes, none of that will drive it back to hell from where it came; we need the Words of the Living God. Jesus used Scripture when tempted by the devil (see Matthew 4); so must each soldier in His army.
One other thing needs mentioning: strategy. This war is fought by “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints...”
Prayer and God’s armor are both our weapon and our protection against our enemy; hard hats or steel toed boots won’t begin to defend us against his lies. We need to be fully dressed in the armor that God provides.
When he was actively farming, my dad added a “hard hat” to his working clothes. It was the full-brimmed kind, silver in color with numerous scratches and dents. It went well with his tattered overalls, well-worn plaid shirt, wool socks and scuffed work boots. He said the “louder clang” made him more aware of how frequently he whacked his head against a piece of machinery.
My problem is not with my head but my feet. Every time I go barefoot, I stub my toes or drop something on them. I probably do it with shoes too, but don’t notice so much. The bruises help me remember to keep my feet protected.
Back in New Testament days, a Roman foot soldier needed all his clothing too. If he left his sword and shield at home, he quickly discovered how painful the enemy’s arrows can be to an unprotected body.
Seems to me that only a foolish fighter would forget his weapons or his defense but it must have happened because Paul used the armor of a soldier to illustrate a warning to His warriors. Ephesians 6 says: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against... spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The Bible speaks metaphorically of this divine armor:
BELT OF TRUTH - In Bible times, the soldier’s belt bound up flapping garments that might hinder him in battle. Since we battle Satan, the father of lies, it is important to gird ourselves with truth, as well as an inner quality of truthfulness. Anything less and we can lose the battle.
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - The Roman foot soldier was wrapped at his most vulnerable part with a tough breastplate. This is also the need of a Christian. We need to be wrapped with righteousness, not only the garment of righteousness which is given to us at salvation, but the current condition of our lives. Any believer caught up in unrighteous activity is already losing.
SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE - The battlefields were covered with stones that easily put a barefoot warrior out of commission. He needed proper footgear. The Christian does too. Our footwear is peace with God through faith in the gospel and assurance that all is well with our soul. This gives us confidence, even in a crisis and is so important because when anxiety takes over, the dominion of the enemy is not far behind.
SHIELD OF FAITH - This was not the small shield used in hand-to-hand combat but the large one that protected the soldier’s entire body. Christians need a faith that is sufficient for all that the enemy hurls, a shield that is adequate to extinguish his lies with their power to tempt, deceive and discourage. Without it, we are extremely vulnerable.
HELMET OF SALVATION - The soldier’s head needed armor. So does ours, to protect us against false ideas such as: “Look at all those negatives in your life... how can God love you...?” The warrior who knows He belongs to God and knows he is loved, no matter what, is an invincible fighter.
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT - which is the Word of God. How else can one fight a lie but with the truth? However, it is one thing to know it, to be convinced of it, to have it in our hearts, to even live it out... but when the lie comes, none of that will drive it back to hell from where it came; we need the Words of the Living God. Jesus used Scripture when tempted by the devil (see Matthew 4); so must each soldier in His army.
One other thing needs mentioning: strategy. This war is fought by “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints...”
Prayer and God’s armor are both our weapon and our protection against our enemy; hard hats or steel toed boots won’t begin to defend us against his lies. We need to be fully dressed in the armor that God provides.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Resisting Temptation .................................. Parables 157
Refrigerator magnets, bumper stickers, lapel buttons, and some T-shirts fascinate me. I tailgate the car ahead or stop in mid-stride at store displays to read their short, often humorous, sayings. Granted, some are crude and tasteless, but many are amusing.
One of the latest to catch my attention was a lapel button adorning the jacket of fellow supermarket shopper. “Lead me not into temptation... I can find it all by myself!”
Isn’t it the truth! Temptation abounds. It coaxes out of every corner and just when we think we’ve avoided it, we run smack into it. Sad but true, temptation comes from within and without.
Retreating to a monastery, being deaf or blind, or even avoiding questionable activities does not guarantee freedom from temptation. It is as common as sand.
But is temptation wrong? Is it wrong if we think a mean thought, glance at a lewd poster, or are lured by the forbidden? What does the Bible say about temptation?
When Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tested (Matthew 4) the Bible says,”... the tempter came to Him.”
When the Apostle Paul was concerned about some new Christians, he said, “I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you ...”
Obviously, there is one called the tempter. Scripture identifies him as the devil or Satan. Jesus said of him, “He is a liar and the father of lies.”
In other words, while we may stumble into dangerous territory, he gives the suggestions to act. His suggestions are always contrary to truth. He is skilled at making good look bad and evil look good.
Because of his skill, recognizing temptation is basic to resisting it. Not all temptation is presented as clearly as when I want to lose 10 pounds and find myself drooling in front of a bakery window.
Paul said that Christians have an understanding of how the temper works (2 Corinthians 2:11) and have the ultimate victory over him through Christ, but that does not stop his subtle enticement. Knowing God’s truth will help us recognize the tempter’s lies.
But we can’t blame everything on the tempter. Every person, although created in the image of God and capable of great good, is also in a sin-marred condition and capable of great evil.
James 1:14 is careful to point out that “every man is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” There is enough evil desire within us to drag us away into all kinds of activity forbidden by God. The lapel button is right: we can find it all by ourselves.
God does not condemn temptation. Jesus was tempted. In fact, Hebrews says He was tempted in every way we are — only He didn’t sin. So temptation itself is not a sin.
James 1:15 goes on to say, “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
There is a difference between temptation and sin. A tempting thought flying through our minds is not a sin. Inviting it to stay, is. The real issue is not that we are tempted but what we do about it. Do we think an evil thought, recognize it for what it is and discard it? Or do we play with it for a while in our minds, consenting to it and eventually allowing it to control our words and actions?
The power to resist temptation depends on the motivating factors in our lives. If we have strong reasons for saying no, we may very well be able to do it without God’s help. Yet even the thought, to do it without God, is another temptation. It is a subtle rejection of His power and grace. Yes, temptation is very sneaky.
God promises we will never be tempted beyond our capacity. He will provide a way of escape or a way to resist any temptation. We can rely on His power to lead us out, even if we got into it — all by ourselves.
One of the latest to catch my attention was a lapel button adorning the jacket of fellow supermarket shopper. “Lead me not into temptation... I can find it all by myself!”
Isn’t it the truth! Temptation abounds. It coaxes out of every corner and just when we think we’ve avoided it, we run smack into it. Sad but true, temptation comes from within and without.
Retreating to a monastery, being deaf or blind, or even avoiding questionable activities does not guarantee freedom from temptation. It is as common as sand.
But is temptation wrong? Is it wrong if we think a mean thought, glance at a lewd poster, or are lured by the forbidden? What does the Bible say about temptation?
When Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tested (Matthew 4) the Bible says,”... the tempter came to Him.”
When the Apostle Paul was concerned about some new Christians, he said, “I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you ...”
Obviously, there is one called the tempter. Scripture identifies him as the devil or Satan. Jesus said of him, “He is a liar and the father of lies.”
In other words, while we may stumble into dangerous territory, he gives the suggestions to act. His suggestions are always contrary to truth. He is skilled at making good look bad and evil look good.
Because of his skill, recognizing temptation is basic to resisting it. Not all temptation is presented as clearly as when I want to lose 10 pounds and find myself drooling in front of a bakery window.
Paul said that Christians have an understanding of how the temper works (2 Corinthians 2:11) and have the ultimate victory over him through Christ, but that does not stop his subtle enticement. Knowing God’s truth will help us recognize the tempter’s lies.
But we can’t blame everything on the tempter. Every person, although created in the image of God and capable of great good, is also in a sin-marred condition and capable of great evil.
James 1:14 is careful to point out that “every man is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” There is enough evil desire within us to drag us away into all kinds of activity forbidden by God. The lapel button is right: we can find it all by ourselves.
God does not condemn temptation. Jesus was tempted. In fact, Hebrews says He was tempted in every way we are — only He didn’t sin. So temptation itself is not a sin.
James 1:15 goes on to say, “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
There is a difference between temptation and sin. A tempting thought flying through our minds is not a sin. Inviting it to stay, is. The real issue is not that we are tempted but what we do about it. Do we think an evil thought, recognize it for what it is and discard it? Or do we play with it for a while in our minds, consenting to it and eventually allowing it to control our words and actions?
The power to resist temptation depends on the motivating factors in our lives. If we have strong reasons for saying no, we may very well be able to do it without God’s help. Yet even the thought, to do it without God, is another temptation. It is a subtle rejection of His power and grace. Yes, temptation is very sneaky.
God promises we will never be tempted beyond our capacity. He will provide a way of escape or a way to resist any temptation. We can rely on His power to lead us out, even if we got into it — all by ourselves.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Reasons for crashing ............................... Parables 089
How do you react when you hear of “Christian” leaders caught in activities that are against what most of them preach? Does it make you angry? Disgusted? Do you feel pain and compassion, saying “there but for the grace of God go I”? Or do you wonder if the power of Christ is sufficient to keep a person out of immorality?
Without any intention to pass judgement on any one individual, I’d like to offer some Biblical principles that focus on the issue of immorality discovered in leadership and how it can be responded to and dealt with.
First, we need to watch our own attitudes. God says, “There is not one who does good and sins not.” So everyone sins. But isn’t it easier to point fingers at those who are more obvious about it? We need to remember that man evaluates sin on a scale, but God says “...whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10).
Therefore the sins of prominent people, sins that make the headlines, are no greater in the sight of God than those committed in secret by those of us who are never get mentioned in the news. And it is definitely not right to talk about those who have fallen so as to feed a pride in our own “spirituality.” God warns, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Our crash may not be as loud, but it will come, if we nurture pride.
Secondly, sometimes people gain prominence by the strength of their own personalities but are not genuine. They are “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” as the Bible says, but they cannot actually live godly lives. It will only be an “outward appearance”, without the power of God behind it. Eventually that sin of deception will be exposed, sometimes through a public discovery and the person removed from their position of prominence. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked: whatever a man sows, he also reaps” (Galatians 6:7).
Thirdly, it is possible for genuine Christians to be overcome, for a time, by ungodly behavior. Galatians 6:1 says if that happens, “... you who are spiritual restore such a person gently, but watch yourself or you also may be tempted.” Successfully rebuking and restoring anyone caught in sin is never easy, especially if the person is a leader. Most of us tend to think that leaders have “arrived”, that they are somehow beyond falling. Therefore it is too easy to neglect prayer for them and easier still to neglect holding them accountable, face to face, should they show signs of slipping.
Fourthly, God provides all anyone needs to battle sin. His provision includes:
a) The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:16 says, “Live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
b) The Word of God which is the Spirit’s weapon - We are to “hide His Word in our heart so we might not sin against Him” (Psalm 119:11)
c) Prayer - the link between our weakness and His power. We are “always to pray lest we enter into temptation.”
d) Spiritual oneness with other believers - Hebrews 10:25 warns us “not to give up meeting together . . . but to encourage one another . . .”
e) Protection - but we must “put on the whole armor of God” so as to resist the “flaming darts of the enemy” who would lead us into sin.
f) Co-crucifixion with Christ - yet we must “consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God.”
Any Christian who does not avail himself or herself of the provisions God gives to battle sin is certain to lose a few rounds.
The body of Christ is like the human body. Each member works interdependently with the others. When one fails, the rest suffer. The health and success of the body is based on the members functioning harmoniously -- by discerning false teaching, praying for each another, building up each other, accountability, and making full use of what God has done for us.
Without obeying those things, we cannot blame God that some come crashing down.
Without any intention to pass judgement on any one individual, I’d like to offer some Biblical principles that focus on the issue of immorality discovered in leadership and how it can be responded to and dealt with.
First, we need to watch our own attitudes. God says, “There is not one who does good and sins not.” So everyone sins. But isn’t it easier to point fingers at those who are more obvious about it? We need to remember that man evaluates sin on a scale, but God says “...whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10).
Therefore the sins of prominent people, sins that make the headlines, are no greater in the sight of God than those committed in secret by those of us who are never get mentioned in the news. And it is definitely not right to talk about those who have fallen so as to feed a pride in our own “spirituality.” God warns, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Our crash may not be as loud, but it will come, if we nurture pride.
Secondly, sometimes people gain prominence by the strength of their own personalities but are not genuine. They are “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” as the Bible says, but they cannot actually live godly lives. It will only be an “outward appearance”, without the power of God behind it. Eventually that sin of deception will be exposed, sometimes through a public discovery and the person removed from their position of prominence. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked: whatever a man sows, he also reaps” (Galatians 6:7).
Thirdly, it is possible for genuine Christians to be overcome, for a time, by ungodly behavior. Galatians 6:1 says if that happens, “... you who are spiritual restore such a person gently, but watch yourself or you also may be tempted.” Successfully rebuking and restoring anyone caught in sin is never easy, especially if the person is a leader. Most of us tend to think that leaders have “arrived”, that they are somehow beyond falling. Therefore it is too easy to neglect prayer for them and easier still to neglect holding them accountable, face to face, should they show signs of slipping.
Fourthly, God provides all anyone needs to battle sin. His provision includes:
a) The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:16 says, “Live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
b) The Word of God which is the Spirit’s weapon - We are to “hide His Word in our heart so we might not sin against Him” (Psalm 119:11)
c) Prayer - the link between our weakness and His power. We are “always to pray lest we enter into temptation.”
d) Spiritual oneness with other believers - Hebrews 10:25 warns us “not to give up meeting together . . . but to encourage one another . . .”
e) Protection - but we must “put on the whole armor of God” so as to resist the “flaming darts of the enemy” who would lead us into sin.
f) Co-crucifixion with Christ - yet we must “consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God.”
Any Christian who does not avail himself or herself of the provisions God gives to battle sin is certain to lose a few rounds.
The body of Christ is like the human body. Each member works interdependently with the others. When one fails, the rest suffer. The health and success of the body is based on the members functioning harmoniously -- by discerning false teaching, praying for each another, building up each other, accountability, and making full use of what God has done for us.
Without obeying those things, we cannot blame God that some come crashing down.
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