Keeping things clean and neat can mean the difference between life and death. Take a surgical suite for example. Unless you want to invite germs and bacteria into someone you must make certain that the room and all the surgical instruments are sterile and ready to use inside the human body.
On a lighter note, I have friends who repair and paint cars. The area where they actually paint the car is a sealed room referred to as the spray or paint booth. The last thing you want floating around in the air is all sorts of dust, pollen, or bugs. Can you imagine how awful your car's paint job would look if there in the clear coat were bugs and dirt preserved in the finish? Yuck!
I think you get the idea. There are many instances where we want the environment to be free of deleterious or contaminating substances or particulates. Yet while we take so much care to make sure things like paint are free of contaminants I wonder if we take enough care to make sure the things that our families ingest by way of entertainment are free of deleterious or corrupting influences.
Satan is a lot of things: a liar, deceptive, and the enemy of God and all who profess to follow Him. But one thing he is not: stupid. Please do not think I am trying to give the devil props here. No, no never, never! But we must realize that enemy our souls is very cunning, subtle, and crafty. He is a master at weaving truth together with error. And error has become so commonplace that many miss it all together when it comes their way.
If you just take a little time to pay attention you will see satanic contaminants in much of what our society produces for entertainment's sake. The devil's influence is in movies, television, music, video games, and books. The devil did not trick a third of the angels in heaven over night (Rev. 12). It was gradually through his slick, subtle influence that he sowed seeds of doubt in the hearts of his fellow angels. And if we are not careful about what we ingest through our ears and eyes we too will be led to believe that lies are become truth.
Let's us be wise and remember the faithful words of Paul from Philippians 4:8 friends. "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." What are you and your family meditating upon daily? Is it praiseworthy? Is it virtuous? If not why not? Let today be the day that you choose to set only good and godly things before your eyes and ears. By God's grace may we as His followers not contaminate a mind dedicated to the service of the living God.
Dear Father in Heaven,
I thank You that You call us to be faithful and true. Please teach us just how important it is to be faithful to You even in our entertainment choices. Forgive us where we have failed and cleanse our mind of any filth or contamination. We know You can make us whole again, Lord! We praise You and pray these things in the holy name of Jesus, Amen!
