Pure and Blameless

As we prepare our homes and hearts for Christmas, hymns and carols are often playing in the background as we shop, dine, drive, and attend various activities throughout December. Choirs have practiced for months, some plays and productions have been working since summer, and movies set to release over Christmas may have been years in the making. Sanctuaries, stages, stadiums, and screens inspire and entertain us all year long, but especially during the holiday season.

1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Have you ever considered that includes our “entertainment?” As we pray for the very influential sphere of Arts, Entertainment and Media please take a moment to pause and ponder what you consider and consume as “entertaining?”

In Paul’s letter to his friends in Philippi, he prays that their love will abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that they “may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” This is our prayer for everyone including ourselves, as we consider the influence this sphere has on individuals and our culture.

 The music, shows, games, influencers, actors, podcasts, comedy, etc. that we consume influences the way we think and live.  

What may be appalling to us the first time we see or hear something may become commonplace, even expected if we are exposed to it over and over again. This is called becoming “desensitized” - lulled and lured away from our spiritual discernment of sin to a lesser, numb or even accepting response. Don’t be fooled: what we see, hear, and say in the name of entertainment enters your heart and mind, I call it, “enter your brain-ment,” and we need to take these thoughts and sights seriously to keep our hearts pure and blameless.

I was recently with a group of Christian women who were sharing favorite pop songs from middle school to adulthood. As we re-listened to the words we were shocked, even shut the song off saying, “I didn’t realize it said that” or “I never knew those were the lyrics!” Wickedness sneaks in through whispers and blurred speech wrapped in catchy tunes and whimsical plots. We must guard our hearts against evil and be filled with fruitful fun. I’m not encouraging you to toss out your TV, but I am encouraging you to take care and be aware as we pray for everyone who produces and consumes art, entertainment and media.

Christmas is a time when people around the world, around the block and around your dinner table hear spiritually powerful Truth wrapped in beautiful catchy tunes as well. I was overjoyed to hear the choir sing, “Joy to the World” as the Christmas tree was lit at Rockefeller Plaza this year. I prayed that this song would take root in people's minds and that “every heart would prepare Him room,” and join heaven and nature as we sing praises to the Lord. This event was viewed by millions of people; imagine how many of them may still be humming “Joy to the World” even now!

Would you please pause and pray with us, your National Day of Prayer family?