As we continue to study through Deuteronomy, we see that God gives the Israelites commands in every detail of life to keep them centered on Him. These two chapters cover the administration of justice by priests, judges, and kings, provision for the Levites, and spiritism. The beginning of chapter 17 may be difficult to relate to because we do not practice stoning--AMEN! Right? If we did, I wouldn't be writing this blog right now! So, a phrase that we can definitely apply to our lives is found at the end of verse 7, "So you shall purge the evil from your midst." Now you might be thinking, "Really? What evil do I have to purge?" If we stop to think, it won't take the Spirit a long time to reveal quite a list of things that need to be kicked out of our lives. There are thoughts, attitudes, words we say to our spouses and children, things we do in secret that we have to fight to keep out of our "midst." But what about some other things, things that we may be calloused to, things that sneak into our midst unnoticed? This might seem extreme and controversial, but I think it is important enough for us to consider and that is--ENTERTAINMENT! Movies, television, Broadway musicals, the internet, even "positive" radio stations are filled with messages and themes that do not encourage us to live as the Christians we claim to be! All kinds of media are full of ideas from things as blatant as immoral relationships, sorcery, and murder to things more subtle like pride, materialism, and the love of self. For example, it's a nice song from the 80's, but Whitney Houston's song that says, "Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all," is a lie! How do these lyrics compare with Deuteronomy 6:5 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." Jesus also said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31) It is only in the context of these scriptures that we can appropriately love ourselves! A more recent and blatant example of media communicating ideas contrary to scripture is NBC's show, Medium. In chapter 18:10-12, the Lord says, "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you." Why would we want to fill our minds with shows or movies that deal with issues that God speaks so strongly against? That is the bottom line-- WE MUST DECIDE FOR OURSELVES! I am NOT saying we should throw away our tv's, computers, radios, and never go to another show of any kind. However, I am saying we must be aware of what is coming into our minds; we fool ourselves if we think these ideas do not affect us! We MUST be absorbed in the Word of God to stay centered on Him and not be polluted by the world. I John 2:15-17
May God bless the reading of His word!
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