I wanted to view a video clip online last evening, so I clicked play to check it out. Before I was given access to the information that had piqued my interest, the website that was hosting the video forced me to “choose” the advertisement I wanted to see first.
Since “skip the annoying advertisements altogether” wasn’t an actual option, I had to do the next best thing. I begrudgingly selected one of three riveting Ragu spaghetti sauce commercials to endure for a minute of my life that I could never recoup.
It seems that expert marketers have determined that viewers feel more empowered when given a variety of ads from which to choose.
But it’s not a choice, really.
It is, however, the way of the world, whether we like it or not. Once the proverbial carrot is dangled in front of us, if we develop a great enough appetite for what is being offered, we’ll voluntarily endure things that bore, annoy, or even offend our sensibilities.
Sometimes, watching a spaghetti sauce commercial is all we're asked to do, which is virtually harmless. But there are other things that can be far less innocent and much more detrimental to our spiritual, mental, and emotional health.
This is why we must be so careful.
Guarding our hearts and minds is crucial, even if that means walking away from some things.
Hey, there’s nothing wrong with changing the channel, walking out of the movie, unsubscribing from the magazine, unfriending on Facebook, clicking the “red x” to leave a web page, or closing a book for good once we realize the information isn’t beneficial.
At some point, we have to decide that we won’t be trash receptacles, allowing just any old deposit to be made within us. The Lord wants us to value our spiritual wholeness so much, that if anything compromises it we’ll opt out.
Today I want to encourage you to value yourself and don't just allow anything or anyone, for that matter, to enter your heart. You are chosen, beloved, and special to God and He wants nothing to defile you.
To remind you to be discriminating about what you indulge, ingest, and digest, I’m stirring Colossians 3:5 NIV into your cup of inspiration. It says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, if your heart is open to receive this message, God will awaken more discernment in you. He will help You be more discriminating about what you allow to infiltrate your space. The Lord will guide You toward what is good and away from what is detrimental, so that nothing will violate or annihilate God’s good plan for Your life.
I’ll leave you with a reminder found in Proverbs 4:23 NIV which says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Everything.
Now let’s pray.
God, I don’t want anything to enter my heart and mind that is displeasing to You. Please help me to diligently defend my virtue, value, and the high calling You have placed upon my life. I desire to honor You in all things so that You can receive glory through me. Please help me make wise choices, depart from evil, and cleave to that which is good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
