Make a Covenant With Your Eyes This August

I've been reading a bit about detoxing for health reasons. Eliminating toxins from one's body is beneficial for boosting energy, focus and the immune system.

While I've been doing pretty good diet-wise, I've begun to consume a lot of "junk-food" media. To a degree, I can see the consequences in my life.

"That would've been such a cute movie if it weren't for...
...and then that scene we had to fast-forward where...
...and there was that other scene...
...and, well, there was that fight with her parents...
...and she wasn't exactly modest...
...and he was pretty rebellious, wasn't he?....
...but they were sooo cute together!"
Sound familiar?

When I don't take the time to analyze and thoroughly "digest" the worldly media that I'm consuming, the toxic build-up often results in spiritual lethargy, loss of Kingdom-focus and becoming desensitized to sin.

The following verses convict me:

"Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way."

{Psalms 119:37}

"He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;"

{Isaiah 33:15}

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

{1 John 2:16}

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

{Psalms 90:12}

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

 {Ephesians 5:1-16}

For the month of August, we're going to make "a covenant with our eyes" to avoid any books and turn off any show/movie/song/website that portrays the breaking of God's Law as acceptable and/or funny. {The only exception will be the times when we are actively analyzing the media through a Biblical lens.}

Here's an idea of what that covenant will look like for us:

By God's grace, during this "cleanse" I will not be passively entertained by any media that portrays the following as acceptable or pleasantly humorous:

• Idolatry

• Blasphemy {the taking of God's name in vain or the light regard of God's name in phrases like: "oh my g--" and the like}

• Dishonouring parents

• Murder / hatred / lawless revenge

• Theft / piracy / cheating

• Lust / fornication / adultery / sodomy

• Dishonesty / deceiving legitimate authorities

• Covetousness / discontentment with godly institutions and standards

 In the event that the media I'm consuming takes a sinful turn, I will either take the time to honestly analyse and judge the message from a Biblical worldview OR I will turn my eyes away from beholding "vanity fair" and choose instead to invest my time in drawing nigh unto the Lord in study/prayer or to worship Him by engaging in Kingdom-advancing service.

"Kingdom-advancing service" here In The Thinking Tree means a lot of work in and out of the studio! Cauley said that she's looking forward to all we'll accomplish without the distraction of all those shows we've let slip in over the past few months. Prayerfully, we'll be able to redeem more time that can be invested in our home, business and ministry opportunities.

Would you like to prayerfully consider joining us in this month-long challenge by making the same covenant with your eyes?

Tips for Success:

1) Sign the covenant, and hang it up in a place where you'll see it and be reminded of your motivation behind participating. You can print our version of the pledge here.

2) Join the event. In a challenge like this, accountability is your friend. You can sign up for the event on Facebook or Google Plus and join dozens of other Christians who are participating this August. {There is already some pretty great discussion going on!}

3) Explain your decision to join the "Media Cleanse" to a family member. Siblings are especially good at helping keep one accountable! Perhaps they'll even want to join you!

4) Get motivated. I have never been able to absorb worldly media with very much comfort after listening to the message on this video. {Some of the images may be disturbing for littles. Please don't let the slide-show distract you from the important audio message that is presented here, in part, by Paul Washer.}

This event is also being hosted on the following blogs:

Sons of the Remnant

Little Blots of Ink

Daughters of the King

Looking forward to August,

P.S. Are you a blogger? Email me at ladylrae {at} gmail {dot} com if you'd like to to co-host this event! The requirements for co-hosting are few and simple, plus your blog will be linked in this post! {I'll have to do a quick check of your blog, though, to make sure I feel comfortable with linking to it.}