As parents, we are protective of what our children watch on TV, music they listen to, or videos they see. Why are we so protective? Because we know how harmful some things can be to the innocence of our kids. We don’t want to see them get hurt, or learn of a behavior that is unhealthy or destructive. Our heart’s desire is to keep them safe, period.

This is how God our Father feels about us. He knows that this world puts positive emphasis on negative things that are dangerous for us as believers in Jesus, and that if we in any way partake, watch or listen to such things that it will affect how we live, as well as our witness to others.

For example: for us women, we are enticed to watch the movies of “Magic Mike”, a series about male exotic dancers that will quickly bring about lustful thoughts. Most of the shows on Netflix are prevalent in nudity, both male and female, which is what draws most people to watch them! This is intentional, as the producers know what draws viewers.

Am I hitting too close to home? Remember, we are the temple where the Lord God dwells!

Friends, I too have been lured by shows that turn on your sensual side. But, God has called us to be set apart; to not engage in what the world deems good. He does this for our own spiritual health.

The irony is, God has designed our bodies to rid itself of unhealthy things, such as bad foods. Twice in the last month I have been quite sick with vomiting and diarrhea. My body has been desperate to rid itself of whatever I put into it that was not good. In fact, until it was completely gone, I continued to suffer from the side effects of being in the bathroom countless times. My body knew what it had to do to oust what had been making me sick.

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Colossians 3:5

Do you know what you need to do to rid yourself of whatever negative, unhealthy thing you are putting in you? It will likely require an absence of such sensual TV shows, or drinking too much alcohol, or smoking whatever form of stimulant you desire, or not reading steamy romance novels; in order to clean out your mind, and your body. As your body knows what to do, your heart really does know what you need to do in order to purify itself. It is time for you to take action.

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”
2 Timothy 2:21

How we spend our time is what we are feeding our souls.

Look at King David, of whom it was said he was a man after God’s own heart. Yet, he allowed his eyes to watch a woman bathing, which caused him to do terrible things. He had sex with her, a married woman, and because his lust had overcome him, he had her husband killed. He had an innocent man murdered! God allowed the consequences for David’s sin, namely the baby that he had with this woman died. But God, who is always faithful, forgave King David after he repented, and has used his story ever since.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”
Galatians 5:16-17

If the Holy Spirit is convicting you of an activity that is holding you back in your growth and walk with Jesus, I would suggest listening to Him. Especially do so if this activity, which may even be done in secret or in the privacy of your home, goes against God’s ways.

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 
1 Peter 1:14-16

Food for thought: “You shall be Holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” – Leviticus 19:2. The code stresses that the people of Israel are separated from the rest of the world because Yahweh (God) has chosen them.

Fun facts: Your stomach is lined with special sensor cells that use a chemical called serotonin to communicate with the nervous system. When the stomach sensors detect something bad, they send a signal to the nervous system, which then sends a signal to your brain. The command to throw up actually comes from your brain, not your stomach. When the brain receives enough signals, it will send a return signal to your stomach to start the process of vomiting. After receiving the vomiting signal, your stomach muscles contract all at once… – Columbia Daily Tribune

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Seeing the world from a mountaintop