What Are You Watching and Listening To?

Richard Thetford

It does not cease to utterly amaze me of the number of “Christians” in the church who watch television and movies and listen to music that is filled with filthy language and saturated with material that is not fit for anyone professing to be a “Christian” to watch or listen to. How can anyone read the Word of God and then put it down and pick up their “ipod” and begin listening to songs that use bad language and curse the name of the almighty God whom they claim to be serving? If your “talk” says that you are wanting to live the Christian life and go to heaven, but your “walk” says that you are living otherwise, then do not be surprised when you hear the words of Jesus on judgment day: “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). Remember, your talk talks, and your walk talks, but your walk talks, more than your talk talks!

Christians are in the world but are not to be “of” the world. We are a special people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation who proclaim the praises of God (1 Peter 2:9). We are a people who have been transformed from the world through the Word of God, proving what is good and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1-2). If you, as a Christian watch and listen to “trash” then there is no way that God sees you as one who has a “pure” heart, seeking to please Him in every aspect of your life. I want to encourage you to read the following passages of scripture that are contained in the Bible, the Holy and inspired Word of God, and then tell God, your creator, the one whom you are to be submissive to, that it is alright to watch and listen to things that demean Him and destroy your example of godliness and purity. Mark 12:30; Psalms 119:40; Proverbs 16:2; Matthew 5:8; Philippians 4:8; Titus 1:15-16; 1 John 3:1-3; Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Peter 1:13-19.