Since being “born again,” I’m not comfortable doing a lot of the things that I used to do or going some of the places that I used to go or watching some of the things that I used to watch. The Holy Spirit within me grieves when I return to some old lustful pleasure and it is not guilt that convicts me, but my love for God and what he has done for me. So, I was disappointed when I found myself being drawn into a morbid fascination for a new, hit television show that many of my Christian friends raved about. The show is called SCANDAL. I found myself disgusted by what intrigued me. I was repulsed by my fascination of the macabre, but like many others, I was captivated, but much to ashamed to admit it. So, I watched in secret while loathing myself for allowing the scandalous characters to capture my time and stimulate my imagination.
Every time Olivia Pope indulges in adultery with the President of the United States, I lose respect for the character that is supposed to be an intelligent, dynamic, African-American woman that I should admire; her parents are depicted as heartless, murderous criminals and masters of manipulation. The President’s wife, Mellie, is a desperate, manipulative, power-seeking, shrew; the DA and his girlfriend’s relationship is based on sex and manipulation; The characters, Quinn and Huck are homicidal, sociopaths; the Vice President of the U.S. is a murdering, self-righteous, religious, hypocrite; the Chief of Staff is a married, homosexual with an adopted, African-American, girl-child…..and the sex scenes are absolutely disgusting. Being delivered from pornography, I have no desire to watch people having sex on television anymore anyway, but although I found the moral depravity of the whole show absolutely sickening, I couldn’t turn away. I frowned, grimacing and even closed my eyes at some scenes, but I did not turn away.
The more my friends raved about it, the more I found myself wondering what it is about this show that draws Christians? Obviously, I had to start with myself. So, “Self,” I asked, “What is wrong with you? Why are you not turning away from this filth? There is absolutely nothing redeeming about this show.” I realized that it was my flesh. It liked scandal. It reveled in the sin that it missed. I was reminded of Galatians 6:8, “For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting,” but I tried to fool myself into thinking that I would be unaffected.
I’m supposed to be feeding on the bread of life from the master’s table and here I am sneaking off to play with the devil by acting as if I can watch anything I want without my soul being affected…..“Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?…” [Gen.3:3 EST]. The enemy of our soul comes to kill, steal and destroy. His goal is to separate us from God. He comes between us and our God whenever we do not resist him. We have been told [James 4:7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, but how can we resist a lover that tempts us with such delicious sin? Well, I realized that first I have to want to resist him, then I have to submit myself to God who gives me the power to resist him. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. [Philippians 2:13]. My prayer: Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. Psalm 119:37
A prophet of God in our church interprets dreams. She testified of a dream she had that was seared in my mind and convicted my heart as she spoke. She said that in her dream she was dressed like a witch. She was uncomfortable in the attire and filled with guilt and self-loathing. When she interpreted the dream she pointed at the TV show SCANDAL that so many of her Christian friends were raving about. She spoke of how the show seduced her the first time she watched it and how God revealed the spiritual consequences of indulging the lust of her eyes by showing her the demonic influences of the show. She concluded by saying she turned away from it and the very next week, she was presented with the entire season on Netflix. Discerning that a trap was being set for her in the spiritual realm, she resisted again and warned the entire congregation through her interpretation.
I thank God for the 5-fold ministry working effectively in the church. Prophets warn and set God’s house in order by declaring the truth of God’s word and his will for us. She did her job that day. We can say, “It’s just a TV show,” but our soul does not know the difference. We have to remember that everything we see in society today came out of the imagination of men. As Christians, we are supposed to be casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; [2 Corinthians 10:5]. So, as I have been admonished, I must repent (turn away), receive God’s forgiveness and share in all humility and transparency that I have sinned against God so that this article will not be received as condemnation, but rather confession so that someone else may be set free. “And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11.
Recently, the Holy Spirit has pointed out some unhealthy addictions (strongholds) associated with my mouth (eating/speaking) and my eyes (secular TV).
Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.) [Philippians 3:19].
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. [Proverbs 18:21]
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. [Matthew 12:36]
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light, But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! [Matthew 6:22-23]
I guess you could say, my fear (reverence) of God is increasing, but I still have a choice. I can either believe God, honor God and change my ways so that he can set me apart as a clean vessel to be used for his glory or I can continue to indulge the lust of my flesh (in secret) and have a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof [2 Timothy 3:5]. In fact, I think this is a great place to close. As I wrote the last scripture, the Lord instructed me to publish the entire Chapter of 2 Timothy 3:5, so I do this out of obedience to the Holy Spirit.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was.But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
#ThePropheticScribe
