Last week in the Scripture I used for Seriously, I chose not to include “Psalm 106:34, “They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them.” Sometimes, when I am sharing Christ, the other person tells me they cannot believe in a God Who would wipe out a nation, including men, women, and children. “That is too extreme,” they say. 

I understand their feelings. However, God, in His foreknowledge, knew those nations would corrupt His people, and Israel would soon be following their wicked, evil practices. It would take something as drastic as eliminating the wicked nations from the earth to protect Israel spiritually. Yet, God’s people wouldn’t obey God’s command. I have to wonder how many of you reading this article have made a similar decision not to cut off worldly influences into your family. “In what way?” you ask. Oh my brothers, if you watch TV and movies, isn’t that worldly influence (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life) filling your home, mind, and your family’s minds? If that isn’t mingling among the heathen and learning their works, what is? Not only is it mingling but it is inviting them in to live with you while you spend hours listening to them. That’s just one example of worldly things that are often tolerated in Christian homes without really taking a thought about the influence they exert.

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Corinthians 10:23).

Most, hopefully, don’t watch evil things (Psalm 97:10). However, in watching in the name of entertainment or being informed, you are still filling your mind with the idols of our world: pleasure, sensuality, and sports. 

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

God is serious about His people being holy (1 Peter 1:16).