Recently, I had a small reunion of former co-workers at my home. The visit was delightful, and old times were the topic of conversation. The night seemed magical until one friend started feeling unwell. She attributed it to her acid reflux, but I thought maybe she had a virus. Then my husband started feeling unwell later in the night, and, come to find out, all but two of my dearest friends had contracted food poisoning at my home. I had the meal catered but narrowed it down to the white sauce I had bought for the meat. I removed it from the refrigerator an hour before the party, and it took on a whole new rancid life and caused FOOD POISONING.

So, what poison goes in must come out!

A few days later, I was reading the first chapter of Romans. Paul is teaching about God’s wrath against sinful humanity. Paul says man’s heart has been darkened, and he participates in all types of wickedness: greed, depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, God-hating, arrogance, boastfulness, and shameful relationships (see Romans 1:18-32). This sin saddens the heart of our loving God, who only wants love and joy for us.

So, I started thinking about television, streaming, and visual media in relation to my food poisoning and these passages in Romans. Remember, what goes in must (or will) come out!

Many people talk about shows on streaming services. Most say, “It is a great show, but I have to look over the nudity and graphic language.” I pray I am not offending anyone, and forgive me if I am, but should we, as Christians, even watch these shows? When you put filth in your mind, it takes up space that could be used for glorifying our sweet, loving God. And what if what you put in comes out like the food poisoning? If it is language and actions, is there then a temptation to justify them, saying we are hurting no one? Is that true?

NO! We are hurting God, who loves us more than we ever imagined. The bad language may slip out, or you become numb to sinful behavior. The poison has taken hold.

God is pure. He wants our attention and allegiance. He wants us to focus on Him and not to fill our hearts and minds with things of this world.

If the Holy Spirit nudges you with conviction over this, I implore you to seek His will for you in prayer. Give Him not only your heart but also your daily life.

In Him,

Jeri Lynn Daniel
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#jerilynndanielblogs

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2

“I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.” Psalm 101:3a