The Eye is the Window to the Soul

This saying above about the eyes being the window of the soul is not a quote from scripture (attributed to DaVinci and Hiram Powers) but the same idea can be derived from many scriptures. Job tells us that he has made a covenant with his eyes, and that he will not look on 'young women' (Job 31:1). Jesus tells us that the eyes are the 'lamp' of the body, that if the eyes are bad, then the whole body will be full of darkness (Matt. 6:22,23).

I doubt that many of us will argue with the fact that men in particular are very visually oriented, and the statistics tell us that a large majority of men (including many pastors of our land) view pornography on a regular basis. Television is rife with scantily clothed women that alluringly prance about on the screen, allowing men to browse just about every curve - if not on the shows themselves, then certainly in the commercials. Violence, blasphemy, and cursing are the vein of television today. Many movies are not much better, with the ratings systems becoming more and more licentious with every decade that passes, and the general entertainment community being monopolized by anti-biblical owners, producers, and enablers. Even when we are viewing shows and movies that may be geared toward families or such channels as the History Channel or Discovery or Disney, we are allowing ourselves and our children to be constantly bombarded by anti-biblical thought. The average family is dishonoring God with the images that they view, and have allowed the fleshly elements of the world to gradually change their worldview.

We have some serious considerations to make as we look about on the world. Especially as men. We must also weigh carefully what ideas are being passed on to us and whether it all fits into the way that God tells us to spend our time. We should ask ourselves the following questions when viewing any material, in no particular hierarchy or order:

1. Does it glorify God? Conversely, does it dishonor God? Does it align with His will for us as relayed by His word...
2. Are we "...destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God..." (2 Cor. 10:5a)? We are at war, and we are the ambassadors of a different kingdom that is hated by the inhabitants of this realm in which we temporarily reside. The knowledge of God, conveyed to us by His word and translated by the Holy Spirit, is at enmity against all the servants of Satan, better known as non-believers. With entertainment, how easy it is for them to invade our homes and chip away at every sound doctrine and sow doubt against the soundness of God's teachings. Most of us have allowed them a portal into our homes into which they may flush their commodes with little or no complaint.
3. Are we "...taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5b)? Are we allowing our minds to be controlled by all the pretty pictures and the eloquence of language (or complete bestial lack thereof) and the soothing salve of honey-laced balm of sin upon the wound of sin nature? No wonder our church has lost all control of itself and all knowledge or care of sound doctrine!
4. Am I committing adultery or fornication (sex outside of marriage) in my heart (Matt 5:28)? You need stare at lustful images only so long before a fire begins to burn inside of you. God gives us a peek at his version of nakedness in Isaiah 47:2, where in a prophecy he describes his dishonorable children as uncovering their collective nakedness, even in the process of entering the water, by uncovering its 'upper thigh'. The Song of Solomon betrays how the breasts are an erotic and exciting form, and how its very image causes a man's heart to burn. If you are beyond these things, then you may want to question how hardened your heart has become to God's ideals for modesty (which I will talk about in another posting).
5. What else could I be doing with my time or resources to better build God's kingdom and edify others? "Consider the ant, thou sluggard." (Prov 6:6) "Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching..." (Luke 12:37a). "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2Tim 2:15). "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1Cor 10:31). When is the last time you had family worship? When is the last time you had personal time dedicated to God? When is the last time you read a good book on theology? When is the last time you went to the widows and orphans in their need? When is the last time you tried to share time with your family, your neighbors? Are you sending large amounts of money and time to set up a system to edit out commercials or other material that are unfit for viewing (but likely still poluting your mind with ungodly material)? Redeem the time, brothers and sisters. You have been bought with a price.
6. Is what I am watching even truthful? The entirety of scriptures speak about deception and allowing oneself to be deceived. If you are watching revisionist history, perhaps something laced with the ideals of such anti-scriptural concepts as evolution, witchcraft, leadership bashing, etc., then you are allowing yourself to be gradually conformed to the world. I think you will find that what you spend the most time doing and surrounding yourself with is the thing that you will grow to believe and embrace. Look at how the public school system is indoctrinating and reforming our children through the guise of 'tolerance' and so-called science (again, another post). Don't allow yourself to be re-educated by those who hate God's word through your entertainment, or otherwise.

That's it for now. There's probably much more I can add to this, and I reserve the right to edit this later and add more if need be. I hope this captures God's word on the matter. I'll just say one last thing by way of quoting God's word to you, in the hope that this will be our ultimate guide for all forms of entertainment and thought:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1, 2)