Satan has inventive entryways that will lure good people into a perverted lifestyle. Worldly music, movies, TV shows, having an “innocent” lunch with or counseling the opposite sex behind closed doors, “tell all” historical documentaries, etc. are just some of the doorways that the devil uses to plant his hooks into unsuspecting victims.
A person genuinely interested in watching movies or documentaries on historical figures can make excuses for watching those about perverted people or people groups, who played a major role in forming our human heritage.
Satan convinces their mind – the battleground of the soul – that these “harmless” documentaries are informational and undamaging. Yet, the addictive gene in the brain is drawn to seeing more and more of these profane and sexually revealing films. This leads to sexually explicit films and then to hardcore pornography.
Scientist document that pornography leads to sexual acting out, such as infidelity, divorce, rape, sex trafficking and worse. Studies show that even Christian men get hooked on this perversion of God’s intention for the marriage bed.
God’s Spirit will convict a person’s spirit and give them a warning that they should change the radio station or TV network, close the documentary, etc. and find a more wholesome activity for their time and attention (Philippians 4:8). None of us are exempt from temptation, so we all need to submit to the will power and discipline that God gives us in order to heed His cautions (1 Corinthians 10:13).
If we make excuses and continue to walk through Satan’s tempting entrances, we compromise our spirit and soul and eventually maybe even our body. God promises to help us to work out our own salvation by giving us the desire and the power to obey Him (Philippians 2:12-13). Obeying God is how we prove our love for Him (John 14:15).
Prayer:
Father God, remind us to pray for all of the unsuspecting people in our life who are sliding down the slippery slope of sin into devastating and often uncontrollable desires. If we “preach” to them, or even attempt to help them to see the error of their ways, we are often labeled as self-righteous nags that have nothing better to do than to play the role of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, help us to see that it is wiser for us to storm the kingdom of Satan with the truth of God’s Word through constant prayer for our beloved relative, church family member, neighbor, or young person in our life that is being tempted by and falling for the devil’s lies. We do not want them or our self to be hardened by the gratification received by unwholesome thoughts and actions, but to be set free by Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:8; John 8:36).
Thought for the Day: Sample Prayer …
Dear Lord, I pray for _____.
That he/she will have the mind of Christ and think as the Holy Spirit would lead him/her, rather than the voice of the flesh and Satan’s lies (1 Corinthians 2:16). Please keep his/her thoughts and eyes from temptation, and also cause him/her to turn their eyes from sin and to RUN from temptation (Matthew 6:13; Mark 9:47).
Cause them to make wise choices and to avoid those pathways that instigate sin in our life. They really need Your Spirit's guidance on this issue, as they are having trouble realizing the web that the devil uses to entice and capture them into his destructive clutches. Help them to see that they are playing "Russian Roulette" with the seemingly harmless films that they are watching, and music they are listening to, which can conceive full-blown sin in their life.
Help us to hear Your still small voice instructing us, and allow us to be led only by Your Spirit (1 Kings 19:12, Psalm 32:8). Make our actions, thoughts and words always pleasing to You (Psalm 19:14). Please place a hedge of protection around our heart to keep corruption out and purity in (Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 17:20; Proverbs 17:22). Protect us in the physical, soul, and spiritual realms.
Keep us from the devil’s schemes that would attempt to trap us or trip us up. Thank you that no weapon formed against us will bear fruit in our life (John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:10-18). Bolster our courage when we are afraid and reassure us when the devil attempts to plant his doubts in our mind (Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 30:15).
Make sure that the sights and decisions that turn our head will honor You in ALL regards, that You will keep us holy and safe and healthy, and that we will continue as a person of integrity, discipline and perseverance (Psalm 25:12). Help us to be strong and courageous in Your mighty power, and please bless the work of our hands.
Remind us that nothing is too hard for You, and that You can empower us to cut the cords of worry with the saber of praise and to place our burdens on Your capable shoulders (Genesis 18:14; Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 9:10). Reward our efforts and bring us spiritual success in all that we do as Your Spirit prompts us throughout the day (Deuteronomy 33;11; Deuteronomy 28:12-13).
In Jesus’ Name and for Your glory. Amen.
