GUARDING THE AVENUES INTO OUR SOUL

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” II Cor.3:18

     Whatever we behold, into that do we become. As the saying goes, “By beholding we become changed.” Here is where guarding the avenues into our soul becomes imperative. Because the temptations of devils always lead away from “Jesus Christ and him crucified” we must always “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Eph.6:11. And they are many. So much so that “he deceiveth the whole world.” Rev.12:9.

     If our eyes are only fixed on the distractions of the world with its carnal pleasures, unending troubles and unresolved abuses, our attention is diverted away from heavenly things and robs from us the glorious hope for the future that "the Word of God" has promised to every “faithful servant” to “the LORD our maker.” “If we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord,” “the way of life” receives less and less devotion. The faith is worn away and the affections are drawn away from heavenly things to worldly amusements. But the LORD admonishes the opposite: “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Heb.2:3; Lu.13:24. The LORD here refers to those whose names are on the church books.

     Many in the church ill define “The strait gate.” Some claim it’s only through membership in their church. Others loosely and haphazardly apply it to being financially prosperous. While others demand that you must speak in ‘tongues’ to receive heaven’s crown. But both king David and Jesus fully understood and clearly taught how “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.” David earnestly prayed: “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Ps.119:97,11. Because of David’s persevering devotion to “the law of liberty” (Ja.1:25) he is the only man to whom GOD said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22. And Jesus admonished our identical devotion to that Sacred Law that He Himself gave to Moses on Mount Sinai (Jn.8:58): “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him…If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” Matt.7:14; Jn.14;21; 12:49.

     Therefore, faith and sin have no partnership in Christ’s salvation (Isa.59:2; I Jn.2:4). And for the world or even one’s church to circumvent any aspect of the Law’s authority to bless the loyal or to curse the rebellious is to fend off the convictions of the Holy Ghost Who Jesus said reproves "the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." Jn.16:8.

     It boils down to this: If I keep the Ten Commandments as lived out in the life of Jesus Christ you are safe with me. Your family is safe with me. And your friends and even your pets are safe with me. And if you abide in heaven’s standard, I and those I love are safe with you.

     All that is worldly is an open display of sinful men who flaunt their animosity to GOD’S Holy Law. The Good Name of Jesus Christ is never spoken among our worldly society. It should be every Christian's determination that if they do not want Him, we do not want them as our confidants. Christ's Apostle was very adamant about this: "know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." Ja.4:4. To not put forth daily exercise to strengthen the virtues seen in Jesus Christ who lived out the righteousness of His Holy Law creates a callous indifference to the great sensitivities seen in His life of benevolent love for all. And never once did Jesus use His power for anything other than to bless people with the evidences of His divine authority. He healed the sick; fed the hungry, calmed the storm, rebuked the hypocrites, and raised the dead—all to redeem men from sin, and without ever hinting a trace of violence.

     The indulgence of indifference to His glorious life hardens the heart and silences “the still small voice” Whose tender tugs of love urge the soul to maintain its communion with GOD. For GOD and GOD alone promises to rid this present world of all that afflicts the soul. Every injustice, every abuse of authority—all afflictions have their source in man’s violation of GOD’S “law of liberty.” But “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” II Cor.3:17. The Apostle Paul sums up the issue: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” Rom.6:1,2; 8:22. If there was no sin, the dominion of death would never have taken possession of our world.

     GOD desires to restore the lost sensitivities that sin has wrought in the human soul. It is through the simple invitation for His Spirit to come and shape the clay of the heart into a holy vessel: one that is pleasing in His sight: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” Titus 3:5. It is as Jesus said: “the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” Jn.14:10. This has ever been the means by which GOD leads our lives. The prophet Isaiah understood this: “LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.” Isa.26:12.

     While many a heart is callous to the injustices being carried out against the dignity of life there are those special souls who cooperate with GOD and holy angels, and who strive with every fiber of their being to lift the burdens from others with Scripture’s guidelines to encourage their victory over sin, to meet their temporal needs, and to share the promises of GOD and Christ for a better world: a world without heartache, toil and death.

     The moral compass of one’s life determines the legacy we leave behind. To strive to lighten the burden of others, to have the care that warns of harm and yet inspires hope through taking the steps that bring deliverance, to display a depth of love that convicts the heart of the best course for one’s life, these are the benefits that inspire a renewal to live godly and not “through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Col.2:8. For after all is said and done, to have an epitaph that reads, “All were blessed in his (or her) care” cannot be surpassed as a life’s legacy. In this, Jesus urges us: “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.” Matt.10:27.

The Great Threat of The Modern Age

     It is living under Christ's banner that we see a great threat to every soul in this modern industrial age. We see how television has distracted tens of millions of souls from GOD’S call to salvation and how Satan is pleased with his harvest that robs from Christ the precious souls that He won through His sacrifice. The television, film and gaming industries has created a modern form of idolatry. Anything that takes the supreme place in our affections, of that do we make a god! We see society’s idolatry of political wranglings, consumer goods, news stories, sports, soap operas, dramas, and comedies. While devout Christians shy away from society’s many unholy influences there are other pastimes that are equally threatening, but in a more subtle way. There is a long history of fictional stories of people’s lives that takes up much of our time, and has no contribution to build our character or enhance our spiritual walk. In this long history of storytelling we see the transition from novels to movies, and from movies to virtual reality games. The character of these pastimes needs to be understood in light of advancing or quenching one’s morality and character growth. One is suitable for our LORD’S joy and commendation, while the other is synonymous with committing suicide.

     While there are many books and movies that teach valuable object lessons, there are trappings in each that should be prayerfully considered, for these trappings stunt our character growth. In the case of fiction novels the reader is given freedom to add their interpretation of the scenes played out: envisioning the emotions, and tone of voice; even ascribing character traits and scenery that may not be included in the words. There is much room to exercise our imagination within the author’s pages. But authors all-too-often use a descriptive language that opens the doors of temptation to the sins of pride, adultery and hatred.

     In the case of atheistic television and movies the viewer is drawn into plots that are designed to foment hatred of the villains. And the story plays out with the villain succeeding in their evil until the very end, at which time the villain goes down and our lust of revenge is indulged, even to desire much more pain to be inflicted on the villain. GOD rebukes this spirit: “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth.” Prov.24:17. So much hatred is fed into the soul that the tenderness of Jesus Christ is shut out entirely! The Apostle John warned of this all-too-common temptation of Satan: “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” I Jn.3:15.

     Other destructive aspects of film and television include how the viewer is denied any ability to use their imagination. Everything is provided: scenery, dialogue, emotion, and brainwashing mood-swings through music. Jerked from mood to mood and scene to scene the viewer becomes a helpless bystander within the plot. Even the humane desire to intervene when some life-threatening scene is introduced in the plot is denied. Our secular society is actually being groomed to sit idly by and allow the injustices to play out. This affects our decisions in real life by training apathy in our character. Today’s society is plagued with apathy! And the entertainment industry is Satan’s primary weapon to destroy the souls of hundreds of millions of lives when the resurrection judgment takes place when every man stands before Christ to give an account of their lives. "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl.12:14.

     Music is also dangerous in film. It is truly demonic with all of today’s sound effects where tensions are exaggerated to create physiological discomfort. These evil sounds are common today within the visual scenes. GOD intended that His Law of Acoustics bring rest to the soul, not illicit anxiety, fear and hatred. In fact, music is so dangerous that given the right style of music an ugly violent scene can be turned into ‘a touching moment.’ This is how abusive GOD’S gift of music has become. And this corrupts both the moral judgment and one’s ability to hear the voice of Jesus Christ. In this, the music industry is ushering tens of millions to an eternal grave.

     Then there are the virtual interactive video games where the viewer participates in controlling the outcome. The graphic nature of the violence in these games is such that they brainwash the soul into a level of cruelty that when vast amounts of time are devoted to having to always kill or be killed the mind becomes dull with these worthless pursuits. So much so, that with so much attention given to the violence it becomes an easy transition to accepting violence in real life. A violent disposition shuts out the thoughts addressing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our LORD commands a non-violent posture as His life gave us an example. The violence in the graphics also dulls our sense of reason. And when egregious offenses take place in real life they awaken no depth of compassion but rather a cruel response, whether through indifference, cynicism, or sadistic glee in retaliation; again, denying the admonitions of the LORD: "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matt.7:1,2. It denies the very crux of Christ’s display of love and compassion when He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Lu.23:34. The heart of man can be very cruel without the softening, subduing of “the Spirit of GOD.”

     In books, films, and now the games of virtual interplay the participant is drawn in to share the character of the plot in the work. And if after engaging in these various pastimes, there is no “moral to the story” that inspires character growth, this should be convincing evidence that the amount of time spent could’ve been devoted to a more productive use.

     Christians need to be on their guard that they not be drawn into sharing the sins of others. This principle will soon become paramount when the world divides into the two classes of men that are prophesied to come. One class “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” While the other class fully intend to perpetuate sin and its violent spirit forever. “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” Jude 16-19.

     History is littered with GOD’S professed people becoming callous to the ways of Jesus Christ. Satan creeps into the life of the believer, hardening the heart against Christ by indulging in sin. The history of Israel, Judah, Catholicism, Protestantism, and now atheism bears this out, as it is written: “And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.” II Ki.17:15.

     In closing: For those who have neglected “the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith” (Matt.23:23) there are two stories that Jesus told about a father and his two sons that give us late bloomers to the Christian faith great comfort in our Christian walk. The proverb still holds true: “Better late than never” when it comes to the ways of Jesus Christ.

“But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father?” Matt.21:28-31.

     Through the mercy of GOD through Jesus Christ all have perfect opportunity to change their course from one of gratifying the insatiable indulgences of worldly pleasure to one of ongoing "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" in whose communion life’s supreme joy may be found. And while living in a sin-riddled self-destructive world the more we come to understand the contrast between good and evil the more grateful we are to see the work of Christ's salvation in our lives.

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Lu.15:11-24.

     The value of the lessons of Scripture that work to keep the heart soft and moldable in the Hand of GOD cannot be measured. There are stories and lessons to meet every need. And yet, the secular world is at war with GOD’S Love and the wisdom behind its manifestation. Always throwing detours into our life to prevent the growth in our character that Christ desires to see. We see this in our secular government, science, education, law, apostate religions, and of course the entertainment industry. In fact, an increasing affluence of a cruel and mocking spirit has become predominant in our society. Ridicule is now declared as humor! And Satan is the master puppeteer behind it all. It is a veritable plague that threatens to undo the nations of the world. It can be traced to how people spend their time—what draws their affections throughout the day. It is this all-encompassing threat of sin's perpetuation that the Christian is encouraged to avoid any participation. But the Christian is not to seclude him or herself from sharing their testimony of "Christ in you, the hope the glory," for this is their greatest witness of "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Ju.v.3.

     As the lovely old hymn urges us: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”

“Never man spake like this man,” as it is written: “And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.” Lu.4:20.