The Temptation of “Dirt”
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
Twice this week, while doing some research, I got sidetracked reading a “blog war.” A blog war is when opinions are expressed, via the comments, that are both hurtful and mean-spirited; sides are taken and the banter goes back and forth usually until the owner of the blog wisely chooses to close the comments. I was astounded by the viciousness of the attacks and the awful words thrown around, many of them blasphemous. Even sadder, however, was that I kept reading. I couldn’t tear myself away.
I had a choice in how I spent my time and wasted it by electing to read “dirt.” Worse, I did it after spending what I thought was meaningful time in the Word. Yes, I went straight from the Bible to the pit of ugliness. Twice!
With a giant log in my eye, I found myself judging others. I didn’t participate by commenting, yet I was absorbing words and thoughts that were impure and ungodly. Sadly, I was steeping myself in trash.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are
noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever
things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is
any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these
things.” Philippians 4:8
Dear Father, please help me to resist the temptation to read words that are not glorifying to you. Please help me so that I am not influenced by the philosophies of the world, slanderous attacks, ungodly behavior and blasphemous language. Please renew my mind in your Son, Jesus Christ so that I may have true love for others and keep my thoughts from being soiled. Help me to meditate on things that are lovely and pure. In Your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Very wise words, this is something we all need to be aware of. We allow things to enter our mind with out thinking twice sometimes. But praise God he gives us the Holy Spirit, our guide and convicter =))
Blessings.
I agree with Laurel. I can get sucked into a television show that is trash or even more tempting to me is to listen to gossip about my neighbors. It is a daily battle I bring before the Lord.
Praise God, Terri. He has brought this before you and you heard His vocie. Great message for us all. Love and hugs, me
Oh, Terri, I think we have done this all at one time or another. The good thing is, that when we recognize it we seek Him for guidance and clear our minds from the trash of this world.
Thank you so much for sharing this wisdom today with us.
Thanks for sharing your heart dear one. Blessings to you.
A very insightful post Terri, It is so easy to get caught up in those things without really menaing to. I did that with a book just last week. I finally just put it down for good – but I read three-quarters of it before I did. I need to guide my mind and heart and this was a very good reminder.
where words are many, sin is not absent. so true.