Triage

      A simple thought today, but one that is hard to accept and harder to live. Those of us who call ourselves “Christians”, seem to have a hard time with separation these days. The world around us is so... shiny and wondrous and exciting, why not enjoy what's there? However, God has called us to be more. Not everything is bad but not everything is good either, where do you draw the line? Some claim that being a “mature” Christian, they're strong enough to enjoy things that may weaken or tempt or affect others. That they can enjoy and endure with no ill effects. Bull. We are not called to be so strong that we can enjoy the world without fault, we're not called to be strong at all but to be strong in Him!

1 Timothy 6:11 “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”

      I'm not saying we can't enjoy hobbies or that we have to listen only to hymns and read only the Bible. What I'm saying is that like a surgeon working on a diseased limb, we have to decide if what we have before us is worth holding on to. Personally I try and take time everyone once and a while to go through my media and belongings and remove what doesn't pass my current spiritual mustard. I'm a geek and I'm part of that culture, and I love that, however there's much to that culture that is not of God. I've tried to cut out pretty much all horror movies, my games have followed suit for the most part, I've become much more particular about my music. We have to remember that the Bible informs us on every aspect, EVERY aspect, of our lives.

Philippians 4:8 “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.”

      Can you really say, honestly before God, that everything you enjoy meets this test? That tv show where the characters speak of little more than sex? That movie where the killer is the hero and revenge is seen as noble? That song with a curse every other word? Are the people in your forum building you up towards Godliness? The grace of God that Christians live with allows us freedom from an overbearing law, we must work out ourselves between us and God what is right in our lives; but we are not devoid of standards. Be honest and true, no matter how it may hurt, and take a fresh look at what you fill yourself with today.

Matthew 5:29 "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.