You know how wise we each need to become, for we live in an age where every little or big screen fiercely competes for our attention, every beep and notification demands our full focus, and every voice clamors to shape our thinking.. our beliefs, our secret and public behavior.
Never before has it been easier to fill up our minds with things that are so empty, so impure, so fake-news-deceptive, and destructive.
Dare Ya If I May...
Hey Christian, I double-dog dare you to guard your heart by guarding your eyes, your ears, and from the overflowing-outflow of your tongue.
And Why Do It, Kurt?
Cuz God's word teaches us to. Please Don't allow your eyes (two valuable gifts for reading truth with) to become trash cans for the world's garbage.
We hear varying reports; we get curious, bored, hungry to learn what's really going on out there, but careful, Buckeroo. Doomscrolling is that compulsive act of endlessly scrolling through social media feeds or news sites to read all of the negative, the distressing, or the alarming content. It can trigger max-anxiety, mental fatigue, and sleep disruption by exploiting your fleshly nature's non-edifying negativity bias or the brain's dopamine-driven reward loops.
Don't let social media become a dumping ground for just any image, any video, or idea that slowly or quickly erodes your red-hot passion for Christ! He is still your first-love, right?
What entertains you today may just wrongly influence who you become tomorrow.
The world's gone wild tiktok crazy.
DON'T LET YOUR EARS OR YOUR EYES EVEN ..BECOME LIKE THE CITY DUMP, OR EVEN TRASH CANS.
Be careful with everything you hear, see, and say.
Ask for the Lord's discernment -- He's still good at helping people aggressively go for what's good and totally avoid what'll burn us.
He's still the One who empowers us to say NO to what's evil and YES to all the good things He has for us to enjoy.
Hebrews 5:7 tells us, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” The KJV translates “reverent submission” as “he feared,” implying that Jesus had and walked with godly fear inside.. and that sounds so strange to hear!
Does God deliberately close people’s eyes and ears to prevent their understanding? Consider that in context. Remember how Jesus spoke in parables so that...
"‘..they may indeed see but not perceive,and may indeed hear but not understand,lest they should turn and be forgiven’” (Mark 4:11–12 esv).
What happened to my (Kurt's) life when repentance and God's regeneration happened. Kinda hard to explain, but it's so interesting how I now love what I used to loathe (praying, godly people, Bible and church time) and now loathe what I used to love (the world system and sin). He and His people are such a blessing to hang out with. It's so true: A heart filled with Christ and His Scripture has less room for spiritual junk or trash. Now I know a worn-out Bible is often a sure sign of a life that ain't.
We believers do good works from salvation (as His reps or witnesses), not for salvation. None can earn it cuz it's free. Talk can be SO cheap, so we believers allow Him to help us put shoe leather to it.
Not every criticism deserves an audience.
Not every rumor deserves a listener.
Not every web-account deserves a follower, instead of a wise serial blocker.
Why ever let your eyes become a TV or social media dumping ground...
..for what's worthless and will pull you in the wrong direction, you know, tearing you down spiritually?
Why ever let your ears become a funnel for someone trashy kinda trash talkin'?
Hey, ask yourself:
Are people literally getting hurt or ripped off?
Are crimes being committed against kids or other innocent people?
Is rampant fraud brutalizing your fellow citizens?
See, say... and go do something then! Love... always protects. Who cares if they call ya a snitch.
There's a time to wisely speak up, and there's a time to wisely hold your peace.
But Kurt, I don't really want to be viewed and thought of as "Mr. Negative" when I'm acting rationally and realistically.
Refuse to entertain any gossip. Reject all slander. Protect the reputations of others. The person who enjoys hearing gossip encourages the one who goes and spreads it.
RUMORS GOSSIP CRITICISM SLANDER TRASH TALK WHISPERS BACKBITING LIES But there seems to be a market for it, but.. IF NO ONE BOUGHT IN, NO ONE LISTENED TO GOSSIP, FEWER PEOPLE WOULD GO TELL IT. RUMORS GOSSIP CRITICISM SLANDER TRASH TALKIN' WHISPERS BACKBITING LIES "..where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases." Proverbs 26:20 - Practicing personal self-control and purity because God watches over us in love. - Eyes: "Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see... For the Father up above is looking down in love". - Ears: "Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear..." - Tongue: "Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say..." -
Hands And Feet Are Important Tools For Glorifying Him
"Oh, be careful, little hands what you do... Oh, be careful, little feet where you go..."
You want to live clean inside (forgiven, righteous). You want to be speaking clean, and hearing clean too (See Psalm 101:3 or Mark 4:24). That's taught to our small children, but adults would do well to relearn and remember these verses.
"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes." (Psalm 101:3)
Jesus taught us this, "The lamp of the body is the eye." (Luke 11:34; cf. Matthew 6:22-23)
Guard the gateways in! The eyes.. are often the gateway to the mind and heart. What repeatedly captures our attention eventually shapes our desires, influences our thinking, and directs our lives.. or steps.
That is why Jesus bluntly spoke about the eye while warning against living for earthly pleasures and treasures instead of for Him and heavenly ones (Matthew 6:19-24). It's true, whatever masters our vision (focus) often masters our hearts.
The Bible (in Isaiah 26:3) states, “You keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” This is a wonderful verse about the assurance of God’s peace for those who trust in Him.
The Bible repeatedly illustrates this truth over and over again.
Achan saw, then guess what.. he coveted, then he stole.. bringing disaster upon himself and his family (Joshua 7:20-21). It happened.
Simon the sorcerer saw God's power and desired it for selfish gain (Acts 8:18-24).
David looked where he should not have looked, and lust conceived a chain of sins that devastated many lives (2 Samuel 11).
Peter warned of false teachers who have "eyes full of adultery" (2 Peter 2:14).
Sin frequently begins long before the outward act. It often begins with a lingering glance, an unchecked curiosity, or a heart captivated by the wrong treasure.
Paul warned us too, "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare.. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.." (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
Our eyes can either draw us toward Christ or lure us away from Him.
Guard You From Your Old Fleshly Nature. Guard Your Ears, Sport
Don't let your ears become a garbage bin for gossip, slander, outrage, profanity, or endless criticism.
Not every opinion deserves your attention.
Not every controversy deserves your emotional energy.
Not every rumor deserves your ears.
Not every social media account deserves your follow.
Sometimes the wisest response is no response but a silent prayer. Oftentimes it's not another comment or like at all, but the "block" button.. or off button.. or Exit quickly button before your feelings and mind start to rationalize to justify anything not worth justifying.
Scripture calls believers to reject gossip instead of rewarding it with an audience.
Refuse gossip.
Reject slander.
Turn away from malicious whispers.
Protect the reputation of others.
"The words of a talebearer are as wounds..." (Proverbs 18:8)
"Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth." (Proverbs 26:20)
Gossip survives because someone is willing to listen. If Christians stopped consuming it, far fewer people would spread it.
The listener often becomes a partner with the speaker.
Guard Your Tongue
Our words reveal our hearts.
Before speaking, ask:
Is it true?
Is it loving?
Is it necessary?
Three good filters for us to run it all through before opening our lips. Will it honor Christ who is living as Lord in me?
"There is... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." (Ecclesiastes 3:7)
There are moments when love requires us to confront evil. If innocent people are being abused, defrauded, exploited, or harmed, biblical love does not remain silent. Proverbs 31:8-9 calls God's people to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Yet much of what fills conversations today is not righteous discernment but unnecessary criticism, personal attacks, and careless words.
Not every criticism deserves repeating.
Not every offense deserves broadcasting.
Sometimes spiritual maturity is measured by what we refuse to say.
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying..." (Ephesians 4:29)
Practice Holy Discernment
Discernment might be called negativity, but it is not negativity.
Discernment is seeing life through the lens of God's Word. He is pure, holy, completely righteous -- yes, He does have a good perspective always.
Some people confuse wisdom with pessimism. They say, "I don't want to come off as and sound negative."
But Scripture never commands believers to ignore evil. It commands us to hate evil while clinging to what is good (Romans 12:9).
We are to "prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to say "No" to ungodliness and "Yes" to righteousness (Titus 2:11-14). We are not left to fight temptation in our own strength.
Let The Children's Song Teach All Adults. They're So Need Again!
Many of us learned these words as children:
"Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see..."
"Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear..."
"Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say..."
"Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do..."
"Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go..."
Simple and profound words, huh.
Profound theology -- God help us be "bibline" so to speak.. in all (I mean biblical and honoring Your loving Spirit).
Children sing them. Adults desperately need to live them.
Believer, Fix Your Eyes on Jesus The Author and Perfecter of Your Faith.
The Christian life is not merely about avoiding bad influences. It is about pursuing the greatest influence of all—the Lord Jesus Christ.
The more we behold Jesus with His eyes of fire, the less attractive spiritual-compromise (any sin) becomes.
"His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." Revelation 19:12-15 kjv
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Fill your eyes with Scripture.. yes, prayerfully.
Fill your ears with truth.. yes, prayerfully..
Fill your mouth with grace.. yes, prayerfully..
Fill your heart with Christ.. yes, invite Him now to take the throne inside by prayer.
"God showed how much He loved us by sending His only Son into this wicked world to bring to us eternal life through His death. In this act we see what real love is: it is not our love for God but His love for us." See 1 John 4.
Now's good. Take hold of Him and His gospel message today!
Jesus said, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters." Matt. 12:30
What I Am Saying Here: It's About More Than Mere Moral Living Or Religious Talk. It's About You Startin'.. Or Returnin' To Your First-love Relationship!
Christianity is not a so-called religion among religions. It isn't simply about becoming a better person.
Many respectable, religious, outwardly moral people remain separated from God because they have never met Him.. never been born again. Many know about Him and religion their whole life, but don't know Him.
The greatest need is not mental assent or merely outward moral reform, but a real spiritual rebirth within. Yes, repentance unto regeneration, and only Jesus does that miracle in a person. It's still the greatest miracle He does.
You really must be born again, because Jesus said, "Ye must be born again." (John 3:3, 7)
Only after we are reconciled to God through faith in Christ.. due to His death on the Cross and physical resurrection from the grave.. can we begin walking clean in the power of the Holy Spirit. Listen, you want to make an impact in this world while here, right!?
Walking with God cuz He's washed us clean is far more than merely behaving well. What are our inner focus and motives like?
It is about knowing Him personally.
It is loving Him more than all and everyone else.
It is following Him closely.
It is becoming like Him with His type of impact in this world.
Remember the prayer of the psalmist? Remember the Word:
"Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way." (Psalm 119:37)
Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.Sow to the Spirit, believer! Yeah, instead of to the flesh like all those worldly people around you love to do, and then reap the peace that passes understanding!"Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]." Colossians 3:15 amp
May God be our top focus today. May He continually empower you and me for obedience to His Spirit and written Word. May He be our top delight, and daily help us to walk clean and righteous in His eyes cuz we want to please Him. We want our friends to get saved as well. May we keep clean eyes, attentive ears that hear what the Spirit is saying, with gracious tongues, and fully surrendered hearts until the day we see Christ face to face.
"Whatever repeatedly enters the eye eventually settles in the heart." ~ Anonymous"The eye is the doorway; the heart is the living room. Be careful whom you invite inside." ~ Anonymous"A soul cannot stay clean while it feasts daily at the world's garbage dump." ~ Anonymous"Your eyes are not trash cans for the world's filth. They were created to behold the glory of God." ~ Anonymous"Feed your faith more than your curiosity." ~ Anonymous"Every click is a choice. Every choice is shaping someone—you." ~ Anonymous"Not everything worth watching is worth becoming." ~ Anonymous"Guard your ears as carefully as your wallet. Both can be robbed." ~ Anonymous"If gossip had no audience, it would soon lose its stage." ~ Anonymous"The ears that delight in gossip help write the next chapter of it." ~ Anonymous"Every rumor dies a little when one believer refuses to repeat it." ~ Anonymous"The Christian who listens to slander often becomes its next messenger." ~ Anonymous"The Holy Spirit never leads us to enjoy what nailed Christ to the cross." ~ Anonymous"What entertains your flesh today may weaken your walk with Christ tomorrow." ~ Anonymous"The purest minds are not those that never face temptation, but those that continually turn their eyes toward Christ." ~ Anonymous"A dirty stream cannot produce clean water. Neither can an unguarded mind produce holy living." ~ Anonymous"Your newsfeed may shape your mood, but God's Word transforms your mind and life." ~ Anonymous"Discernment is not negativity; it is love wearing the glasses of truth." ~ Anonymous
17% of practicing Christians admit they become distracted a lot even during good sermons, and 7% acknowledge browsing texts, email, or social media during the really important periods while in church.One-third (34%) of engaged Christian parents identify themselves as "media-stressed," saying digital media is one of their biggest challenges in raising children in the faith.About 39% of Christians report they are not currently engaged in sound discipleship relationships, highlighting how easily spiritual growth can be neglected amid life's distractions.
