I admit that I like to listen.
I usually have something on to listen to when I'm working. It might be an audio book, an Adventures in Odyssey episode, or some HGTV program from Netflix. If I'm ironing I like to watch a British police show. I even have an audio prayer list for when I'm walking.
So these words of Jesus spoke to me.
I know He wasn't talking actually about this kind of listening, but, maybe He was. Have you ever watched a mystery show where there wasn't at least one character who claimed an alibi of an illicit rendezvous? We start to think that's normal. It might make me wonder, "Am I abnormal to believe sex is for inside of marriage only? Does it make me not grieve when I hear of someone in sexual sin?
What about even home improvement shows? When I watch those shows the message is: My house is not good enough. I need a chef's kitchen and an open concept floor plan in order to invite anyone into my house and to be happy myself.
I'm not saying these things are wrong to entertain ourselves with once in a while, but I need to watch them thinking about what Jesus said, "Take care what you listen to." Mark 4:24
He was also talking about being careful of what kind of Christian teaching you listen to. Is it right doctrine? Test it against the Word of God and solid Bible teachers. We absorb so much more than we think we do and it can start to affect the way we think about God and the way we live. Besides, no one wants to be wrong!
So what are you listening to today?
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I usually have something on to listen to when I'm working. It might be an audio book, an Adventures in Odyssey episode, or some HGTV program from Netflix. If I'm ironing I like to watch a British police show. I even have an audio prayer list for when I'm walking.
So these words of Jesus spoke to me.
I know He wasn't talking actually about this kind of listening, but, maybe He was. Have you ever watched a mystery show where there wasn't at least one character who claimed an alibi of an illicit rendezvous? We start to think that's normal. It might make me wonder, "Am I abnormal to believe sex is for inside of marriage only? Does it make me not grieve when I hear of someone in sexual sin?
What about even home improvement shows? When I watch those shows the message is: My house is not good enough. I need a chef's kitchen and an open concept floor plan in order to invite anyone into my house and to be happy myself.
I'm not saying these things are wrong to entertain ourselves with once in a while, but I need to watch them thinking about what Jesus said, "Take care what you listen to." Mark 4:24
He was also talking about being careful of what kind of Christian teaching you listen to. Is it right doctrine? Test it against the Word of God and solid Bible teachers. We absorb so much more than we think we do and it can start to affect the way we think about God and the way we live. Besides, no one wants to be wrong!
So what are you listening to today?
* * * * *
For More Ideas and Inspiration:
Check out the book Around the Table: Connecting With Your Family at mealtimes . You can read the first chapter at this site and order a copy of the book!
Check out the book Around the Table: Connecting With Your Family at mealtimes . You can read the first chapter at this site and order a copy of the book!
Love these thoughts. I must absolutely be careful what I'm listening to. It works in the reverse also. I was feeling a little down in the dumps one day, and I woke up singing a kids song my son constantly sings and loves. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Trust in the Lord says Proverbs 3:5 and 6. Kind of amazing what we subconsciously process!!
ReplyDeleteI have often found that if I stop and "listen" to the words of a song going through my head, there is a message for me...subconscious or Spirit driven!
DeleteGreat post. It's amazing how much positive, Christ-centered information entering our ears through music, podcasts, books, shows, etc can make a difference throughout the day. Especially when scripture is being poured out through these mediums.
ReplyDeleteKelsey
acupofteawithkelsey.blogspot.com
So true, Kelsey!
DeleteI agree with what you said! Be careful little eyes what we see. Be careful little ears what we hear! We recently began watching a certain show that I remembered watching as a child. While the show doesn't have fowl language and such, the story lines are rotten! It contained extra marital affairs galore! I do not want my kids being conditioned to think that is normal. Needless to say, we stopped watching that show!
ReplyDeleteSo important! I still remember a song I used to listen to when I was a kid that talked about input and output. What goes in is what comes out.
ReplyDelete