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An
Evil Influence
This world has its spiritual stumbling blocks, just as Jesus prophesied
(Matthew 18:7). There are plenty of them already in our pathway without
us placing them there. Yet, I fear that many of God’s people too often
do just that.
The Example Of Lot
The conduct of Lot, the nephew of Abraham, is an example of such risky
behavior. The Bible tells us that Lot was a “righteous man,” but one who
nonetheless made foolish decisions. When given the choice as to where to
live, he “pitched his tent even as far as Sodom,” a city filled with men
who “were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord” (Genesis
13:12,13). As he continued to live among these evil people he “tormented
his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless
deeds” (2 Peter 2:8). Yet there is no doubt the city had a detrimental
effect on Lot and his family. To his sons-in-law, Lot’s warning of the
imminent destruction of the city by God was nothing more than a joke.
His wife had become so attached to the city that she “looked back,” for
which she was turned into a pillar of salt. Even Lot did not escape the
city’s influence unscathed, for he later allowed his two daughters to
get him drunk. Worse yet, his daughters used that occasion to commit
incest with their father, rationalizing their deviant behavior with the
thinking, “that we may preserve the lineage of our father” (Genesis
19:12-38). Lot stands as a timeless example of one who paid a terrible
price for placing himself and his family in the way of ungodly
influences.
Evil Will Have Its Influence
The Bible says, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits”
(1 Corinthians 15:33). Apparently we are easily deceived to think just
the opposite, and thus the warning. We keep company with some who are
evil, their evil bothers us, and thus we tell ourselves that their evil
has had no effect on us. But God’s word tells us we are wrong in our
reasoning. Indeed, “can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes
not be burned?” (Proverbs 6:27). Others might say that they have become
desensitized to the evil around them and can therefore remain unaffected
by such. They are wrong. And since when did the inability to blush
become an admirable quality? (Jeremiah 6:15; Ezra 9:6).
The Television
I know of no greater illustration of all this today than that of man’s
keeping company, not with a person, but with a thing -- the television.
I’ll be the first to say that there is still some good to be seen on the
small screen, but in proportion to the bad its amount is minimal. Who
can deny this? Both the networks and cable channels carry shows that
trivialize (if not promote) fornication, adultery, and homosexuality.
Corrupt and vulgar language is used with regularity. Situation ethics, a
godless philosophy of our age, is advanced. Gratuitous violence is put
forth as entertainment. How many people literally invite these stumbling
blocks into their homes each night? Do you, dear Christian? If so, stop
patterning yourself after Lot! There is no way you, your spouse, or your
children can remain unaffected by it all.
This writer never ceases to be amazed to hear of the profane viewing
habits of some (thankfully, not all) who would describe themselves as
Christians with “conservative” values. Have they become Pharasaical
without noticing? They would shudder (and well they should) at the very
thought of the local church corrupting the doctrine of Christ in just
one point, while they in their own homes (the church distributed)
corrupt the Lord’s doctrine many times over by allowing themselves and
their families to be entertained with the filth described above. Truly,
they “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” (Read Matthew 23:23-24 and
see if this doesn’t mirror what Jesus condemned.)
Fellow-Christian, don’t allow these easily accessible stumbling blocks
into your home. They will “conform you to the world.“ If you have time
to watch television, transform your viewing habits in light of God’s
word (Romans 12:2).
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but
his delight is in the law of the Lord...” (Psalm 1:1,2).
--Mike Noble
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