Can We Turn It Off?

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? (Job 31:1 KJV)

Someone recently told me about a couple in their church who were “weird”. They were engaged, but had never kissed.  They intended that their kiss at the altar as they married would be their first. I replied that I knew several couples like that, and I didn’t think it was weird at all, I thought it was precious and showed a loving commitment to each other and their faith.

I could name five such couples I’ve known in the last few years.  All young people who dedicated their lives in service to their Lord. They made a covenant with Him to be pure.

Job speaks of a covenant that he made about purity.  Therefore, why should he even think about a young woman?  If King David had made – and kept – such a covenant with his own eyes, he would not have thought about Bathsheba, much less had Uriah killed to obtain her. A psalm speaks to such:

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:  (Psalms 101:3a KJV)

Yet, I do.  We have a television, rather elderly and definitely non-digital, in our den.  A lot of time during the day it is on, though it goes unwatched.  Sort of “white sound”, which we recognize is somewhat ridiculous, but it’s habit. A lessening habit.  Reception isn’t good as far out in the country as we are, so we have satellite. Recently, realizing how little attention we pay to shows, we dropped back to the very basics.  I wish we could select just the channels we actually enjoy, and those would be few.

Yet among those few are “wicked things.” One we watch is a forensic mystery, most likely including a murder or two.  Even it has a sexual innuendo or two. Many shows go well beyond the innuendo stage. Certainly a “wicked thing before mine eyes.”

So, what do we look for?

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

If none of that is on our televisions, we should turn it off and pick up a good book. Perhaps go so far as to pick up the Good Book?