Saturday, March 23, 2013

Television and Movies: The Evil We Welcome and Invite Into Our Homes!


If you are a television watcher, chances are you are being brainwashed and infiltrated by propaganda predicated by the media.  

The more television you watch:

You are less likely to read your bible
You will be less interested in the things of God
You are more receptive to deception instead of Truth
You will eat more
You will spend more money
You will be more influenced by the world system
You will get more depressed and feel more levels of hopelessness
You will be desensitized to sin like adultery, gossip, violence, corruption, etc.
You will be less likely to respond rationally in an emergency situation
You are more likely to sin against God
You will be more likely to get a divorce
You will be more likely to sin and justify your actions

Statistics
30 years ago, there were 5 free channels and 4 cable channels
Today, there are over 400 channels to choose from and the list is growing!  
Percent of 4-6 year-olds who, when asked to choose between watching TV and spending time with their fathers, preferred television    54%
Hours per year the average American youth spends in school 900 hours
Hours per year the average American youth watches television 1,200 hours
Number of violent acts seen on TV by age 18    150,000
The average American over the age of 2 spends more than 34 hours a week watching live television, says a new Nielsen report — plus another three to six hours watching taped programs.
Children 2-11 watch an average of 24 hours of TV a week, or 3.5 hours a day.
That number dips to 22 hours for teens, ages 12-17, then goes back up to 25 for 18-24s.
After that it rises steadily until people over 65 average 48 hours a week, or nearly seven hours a day.
The average person spends nine years of life watching television by the age of 65.

Television is the strongest form of mind control there is.  Through television, the truth can be manufactured and sold to the public.  Because people are so trusting when a famous person is reporting the news nightly, they will believe everything they hear without question.  The television is considered a member of the household.  Millions watch their televisions blindly without questioning the moral implications, validity, or the propaganda being sold to them.  Television is a form of hypnosis by using images, patterns, subliminal messages, etc.  People don’t realize they are being controlled and manipulated.

None of these reasons are good or sound like worthwhile reasons to continue watching television, but that won’t stop you from continuing.  Why?  Because you are already addicted and programmed to crave high levels of stimuli to your brain.  And if your brain doesn’t get fed this steady stream of stimuli, you will likely experience low to high levels of withdrawals and even depression.  I too was once a television addict, but God had better plans for my life than to waste 15+ hours a week in front of the television.  I used to have cable and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) so I could record all my favorite shows and not miss a single minute.  In the end, I spent countless hours babysitting my DVR and viewed mindless television, becoming more addicted to useless information and gossip than I like to admit.

The Bible tells us to bring every thought that enters our mind captive to the obedience of Christ.  Otherwise, we are allowing the devil to take hold of our thoughts and feelings through television.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

The more you understand the agenda of the Antichrist and the New World Order (NWO), the more you will stay away from their deceitful plan to brainwash and control the population.  Even Christians fall prey into watching “Must See” Television and sharing the latest gossip among celebrities.  This is probably another reason why the divorce rate among Christians is no different from the world. Television is a very influential factor in dictating what happens in the real world; even if what they are portraying is not real.

When I visited the Philippines on a Mission Trip last July, 2012, I couldn’t help but notice how addicted these Filipinos were to their televisions.  Here we were knocking on doors to invite these people to our crusade, but most of them didn’t bother coming to the door because every last one of them were glued to their televisions!  This was disgusting to me.  These people were poor, sick, and needed to hear the good news of Jesus, but they were too busy to receive Him because what was being displayed on television seemed more pressing.  They were watching a soap opera that had both the young and old mesmerized.  Watching television is a universal addiction afflicting billions worldwide.  There is more to it than meets the eye...

A very close friend of mine has reluctantly admitted that she is addicted to television.  I was visiting her one day when she admitted to watching up to 8 hours of television per day!  She is a strong Christian, but is weak in the area of media.  I prayed for her and urged her to go on a media fast for a week.  I promised to call her every day to check on her.  But by the second day, she was back to watching television.  She pleaded with me as if she could no longer live without her drug.  I’d also like to add that she suffers from depression.  I told her that television contributes to her depressive state by sending subliminal messages to her that she’s not enough.  She is told 10 times per hour that she needs to buy this or that to fit in and be accepted by the masses.  She hasn’t relented her steady television consumption. As a result her depression hasn’t dissipated and has gotten worse; I’m sorry to say. 

I’m not saying that television is easy to take off the nightly agenda.  Especially since it’s been part of the family since childhood.  It is deeply entrenched in our culture and households.  Many claim that it relieves stress and others love their shows like a best friend.  As for stress relief, I will beg to differ since it causes more brain transmitters to work harder, thus causing more stress to the body instead of slowing down the body.  I am not suggesting to kill television and/or media altogether, but to cut way back.  

If you want to get closer to God and hear Him more clearly, stay away from media.  Be still and know that He is God.  What I am strongly suggesting is for you to go on a media fast for a week.  No television.  Instead, read your bible, listen to podcasts, and perhaps watch up to 1 hour of YouTube videos that are Christian based per day.  After your 1 week media fast, you will realize what a waste of time watching television is.  Then pick only one to two shows to watch.  Be careful.  Before you know it, you’ll be back to your old patterns of watching up to 6 hours nightly!  This is why I don’t have cable.  I don’t have time to get ensnared by any show or program.  Ask God what amount He wants you to cut out.  

Titus 2:11-13
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,  looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

(ADULT THEME WARNING)

Television is definitely a strong delusion infiltrating our lives; yet we continue to let it enter and influence us and our children.  The harsh reality is that television is far more liberal than 30 years ago; when I was growing up.  Today there is more adultery and half naked women on television.  There are also openly gay couples portrayed in the media even in shows geared toward teenagers.  Sex, adultery, drunkenness, and debauchery is glamorized and sought after by both men and women.  More violence and guns are desensitizing us to accept crime and atrocities.  We are no longer sensitive to sinful acts being portrayed on t.v.  In fact, the most popular shows and movies are the most sinful and have paranormal themes with vampires and semi-human creatures.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

I recently read an article called "The Demonization of Inanimate Objects and Recognizing and Renouncing Occult Activities" which deals with inanimate objects we bring into our homes, yet the most powerful and influential one is our televisions.  

The Demonization of Inanimate Objects and Recognizing and Renouncing Occult Activities




Pornography and Sexual Immorality
I truly believe that the more television you watch, the more susceptible you are to watching pornography.  There is a satanic agenda to promulgate pornography into your household.  Why?  Two reasons: 1 - To defile you and your children;  2 - To destroy your family so that sin will continue to dominate your lives.  As it is, we live in a sex saturated culture, compared to just three decades ago, pornography was taboo to even mention.    Today, it has become mainstream.  Even soft core porn like Victoria’s Secret and Playboy’s scantily clad models are on mainstream television and in commercials.  Almost everything being sold has a sexual spin on it; from beer to burgers.  Sex and the female form sells everything.  Every man has to be on guard just watching the news at night.  If left unchecked, the lust of the eyes can take over.  The receptors being set off start seeking stronger forms of stimuli.  I will bet that subliminal messages are telling our brains to seek out more drastic images of nudity and sex. The next thing you know, you are seeking pornography on the internet and can’t understand what is driving you to commit such a deplorable act.  Imagine what this does to our hormonally driven adolescent children.  More children are exposed to pornography due to this sexual stimuli bombarding them!  If this isn’t enough reason to unplug your television, I don’t know what is!

The devil has enticed man over the centuries by portraying lewd sensual acts and fornication as exciting and desirable to defile God’s creation.  God is the author of sex and intimacy; originally scripted it to be sacred, beautiful, and holy; to be experienced exclusively between a man and a woman within the context of marriage.  The devil’s hatred for God and His creation caused him to deceive many by portraying sexual immorality as thrilling, fun, and acceptable.  He weaves the lie that carnal sex produces lasting pleasure and if you haven’t done it yet, you are missing out on the greatest physical experiences of your life.  These lies have been planted on us since childhood.  Look at the alarming rates of sexual promiscuity among adolescents and teen pregnancies these days! 

The Public School System (elementary through high school), College Dorms, Spring Break, Las Vegas, Television, Music (and videos), and Movies, are all conduits contributing to the satanic agenda to indoctrinate us into debauchery and immorality where licentious sex is good and okay to partake in. The hidden agenda is teaching girls to dress and act sensual and immoral to get the boys.  Boys are learning to objectify girls and pursue sexual experiences early and often.  And when they are old enough,”What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas…”

God’s Word is clear: fornication and adultery is sin.  Sin leads to death.  The sexually immoral will not see the Kingdom of God.  Sexual Sin is the only sin that not only sins against God, but also against our own bodies.  When a man lays with a woman they become one flesh.  A spiritual connection takes place.  It’s been rationalized and minimized as a physical act or a bodily function by the devil so you’ll do it without a second thought and even justify your actions.  

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:16-17
Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.”  But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

Revelation 21:7-9
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

God doesn’t want us to do these things because He wants to protect us from harm, not keep us from experiencing true joy.  The source and provider of true and everlasting joy knows what actions will produce it and what will take it away.  His Word clearly shows that it not only steals our joy and peace, but also leads to death.

Soul Tie
So much happens behind the scenes in the Spirit World that we don’t see when we partake in sexual sin.  Angels and demons are waring on our behalf.  When we give in to temptation, demons attach themselves to us and laugh with glee because they now have the right to enter our bodies through the sexual act and can instill demonic thoughts in our minds; seducing us to do more filthy immoral acts.  Also, the person(s) we have now “Become One” with have an open portal to our soul.  This is called a Soul Tie.  Their demons can come and go into our mind and body.  The culture warns us to protect ourselves from disease, but doesn’t realize that we also need to protect our spirits from demonic infiltration.  We aren’t only sharing bodily fluids, we are also sharing demonic spirits.  For the Christian, Christ lives in us, so the demons cannot possess us, but can still have a strong influence on us.  For the Non-Christian, the demons are having a field day wreaking havoc on you and your partner(s).  This is why breaking up is hard to do and why we can get obsessed with a person even though they are totally wrong for us.  I hope this serves as a sober warning to those participating in sexually immoral acts.

1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

Revelation 2:21-22
And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.  Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

With the invention of film/video, pornography has been Satan’s most powerful tool to lure both men and women into sexual sin. The invention of high speed internet has ushered pornography into our homes, offices, and smartphones at lightning speed.  This fast spreading virus has even infiltrated the church; from pastors to church members.  It has destroyed marriages and families and continues its erosion onto our children.  This hidden sin is destroying the lives of those that don’t even know it because they think they are getting away with it.  Many hide this shameful obsession, but God sees it; He knows.

Job 34:21-22
For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps. There is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

The drive to seek out pornography doesn’t exist without media and television to plant and water the seeds of lust in the eyes.  Once the seeds are watered and fertilized, evil can roam and start it’s corrosion in the mind, then eventually in the body. Many struggle to overcome their addiction to porn because they don’t realize it’s a demonic struggle that affects brain chemistry like narcotic drugs!  

Porn addiction didn’t magically appear overnight.  It started with a compromised heart and a mind set on fleshly desires.  Watching rated “R” movies regularly and being desensitized to sin, using images to “relieve stress” on a regular basis, looking at females as objects instead of sisters, and thinking that pre-marital sex is okay and normal are just a few telltale signs of a future porn addict.  Also, being abused physically, sexually, and/or emotionally as a child will not only create potential addicts in general, but will increase susceptibility towards sexually immoral behaviors.

Psalm 119:36-38
Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You.

“The faith that justifies and saves you from the wrath of God must be a faith that breaks the dominion of sin in your life...must be a faith that saves you from sexual immorality.  And if that faith doesn’t save from the power of sexual temptation and lust then it will not save you from the wrath of God.”  -- Pastor Tim Conway

The Bible tells us that we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2)  Our thoughts and mindset determine our actions.  Faulty thinking can cause us to  dwell on the flesh instead of the Spirit and lead to us to sin. The following is a list of Mindsets that leads to Sexual Sin according to Pastor Tim Conway from his sermon titled, The Battle in Your Mind to Abstain from Sexual Sin at www.illbehonest.com


Mindsets that lead to Sexual Sin:
1 - Diminished views of God; that He’s Santa Claus
2 - Offending God no longer terrifies you
3 - When you think God is against you or has forgotten you
4 - What I look at doesn’t matter
5 - Because I am already “Saved” God’s wrath no longer applies to me when I sin.
This mindset is DEADLY!  What you’re basically saying is:  “I’m a Christian, I can’t lose my salvation...no amount of sexual immorality will make me lose my salvation.  The wrath of God towards the sexually immoral can’t apply to me!” 

It's one thing to struggle with sin and shake off the deeds of the flesh.  It's another thing to continually live carnally without remorse or fear of God.  A person who habitually commits sin, is unrepentant, unregenerate, and justifies his actions is not a child of God and will be facing a death sentence in hell. Apostle Paul sternly warned the Corinthians: “Do not be DECEIVED. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-10)

Other than gathering news or research, the only other worthwhile activity on the internet is watching and listening to Biblical sermons like pastors: Tim Conway, Paul Washer, Voddie Baucham, Justin Peters, etc.; who speak the truth about God’s Word on YouTube.  Viewing anything else could get you into trouble.  


The Progression of a Broken Marriage through Pornography
Here is a brief scenario describing how media infiltration can destroy a marriage.  Men are visual creatures by nature.  The media tells a husband that he is entitled to a Hot, Sexy, accommodating wife.  While watching his nightly intake of debauchery over the television, he glances over at his plain, overworked, neglected wife, but doesn’t feel the same excitement anymore.  So the television screen feeds him his much needed excitement; temporarily.  If he allows the infiltration to continue and doesn’t question the content being fed to him through commercials, shows, and movies, he will become a Media Puppet.  The messages will tell him that he is undervalued and deserves more.  Suddenly his physical life with his under nourished wife appears boring and mundane. Then the images on television aren’t enough anymore.  As the stress in his life seems to mount he begins to secretly seek out “more” on the internet.  As he feeds his carnal desires from images on the computer screen, his brain chemicals start to change and his need for sexual stimuli increases.  The licentious images seem real and easily attainable.  After a while the pornography takes over his mind.  He now lives in two worlds; the loose and easy life of the sexually promiscuous and his real life.  His need for pornography grows and it starts to become a crutch for everything that goes wrong in his life.  By now, his mind is debased and has changed his countenance and character.  This is where his fantasy life collides with his real life.  He starts seeking out these activities with another person.  One of three scenarios play out: 1 - He either starts an affair with another woman willing to participate in his fantasies;  2 - He seeks an anonymous like-minded partner on the internet;  3 - He pays a prostitute to fulfill his desires.  WARNING: It is much easier for men to find these three scenarios because sin is rampant in these last days and there are many Harlots with “Jezebel” Spirits also addicted to porn; roaming around looking for pleasure and money.  He has now become a full fledged sexual deviant infested with and/or highly influenced by many demons.  None of the three scenarios listed bring any true satisfaction or lasting pleasure.  If anything, these activities bring more dissatisfaction and frustration; causing him to “Act Out” more by using hardcore porn and pursuing sexual dalliances to alleviate his stress.  Sometimes the husband gets caught and sometimes not, but this behavior eventually leads to the destruction and death: of his marriage, his fellowship with God, and his body/soul.

Proverbs 7:21-27
With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, he did not know itwould cost his life. Now therefore, listen to me, my children; pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths; for she has cast down many wounded, and all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.

Romans 8:5-8
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.


Children and Porn
The statistics are tragic. Many youngsters have viewed internet porn by age 11. By age 17, over 80% of teenagers have already seen it. It’s bad enough when adults watch it, but when children who are still in their developmental stages: physically, emotionally, and mentally, experience trauma that have lifelong affects.  This is flat out ABUSE in my book!  It’s a travesty that some parents don’t spend the additional $50 to protect their children by purchasing porn blocking software.  Granted, the software doesn’t prevent pornography from penetrating the eyes of your little ones if they are at a friend's house.  This gives you all the more reason to be vigilant about who your child associates with and what goes on when they aren't with you.

I just recently found out that a fifth grader from Charlie’s school told him to visit a specific porn site.  He visited, saw some images, and got scared. This didn’t happen in my home, but my ex-husband’s home who has since installed blocking software. I have been even more protective of who he hangs out with at school now and am contemplating to tell that boy’s mother about her son’s wicked antics.  Unfortunately, at age 9, Charlie knows about pornography.  He also know that looking at a woman with lust is considered adultery according to Jesus Himself.

It’s important to talk to our children about the dangers of looking at those images. It’s not enough to tell them not to do it.  Children are very curious, rebellious, and disobedient creatures.  They will sometimes do the opposite of what we tell them not to do. We know this first hand since we disobey God ourselves!  I have shown Charlie verses in the Bible about the sexually immoral not entering the Kingdom of Heaven.  He also knows that Adultery is sexually immoral. 

If our children don’t have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, they are more susceptible to being infiltrated and/or possessed by demons by watching pornography and/or engaging in sexual activities.  This opens a portal to their souls for demons to enter.  Satan knows this.  This is why he targets them.  He gets them early so they will become slaves throughout adulthood.  Whether it’s porn, sex, drugs, alcohol, or all of the above, he tries to kill, steal, and destroy us at a very young age. This is why child abuse is everywhere.  If the devil defiles our children, they will walk down a dark road until they receive Jesus; if they indeed receive Him.  I’m speaking from experience here…

My Prayer For Parents 
I PRAY that you get right with God.  If you’re living in disobedience and drowning in iniquity, how is God supposed to hear your prayers?  Then be Godly parents to your children; as God originally intended, teaching them in the way that they should go; being vigilant about what media they watch, listen to, and those they associate with. Don’t be lax. Your obedience to God is more powerful than your mere words. It’s your responsibility to teach them the Word of God, not your church! I PRAY that God will arm you with discernment to balance love and discipline wisely.  Too much discipline is not good; but neither is not enough. Just like not spending enough time to communicate and instruct in love. The devil is prowling around to devour them!  He’s just waiting for you to screw up by being too busy and preoccupied with work and obligations; the sin of pride often causes many parents to prioritize meaningless things that won’t matter in the end; while your children are left to fend for themselves without a caring parent to keep a watchful eye on them.

Because of the recent event with Charlie and the porn site, I have disallowed him to go to an overnight field trip with his 4th grade class.  I told him that I have reservations with him being around other kids overnight.  I reminded him that we are children of God and we do not follow the patterns of this world.  At first he was upset, but was okay about it after he heard we have several fun trips planned this year between both his households.   By the way, at 9-years-old, Charlie has read 90% of my articles.  We read them together weekly and discuss the lessons and scriptures.  He even does some light critique and copyediting. We also listen to Paul Washer and Tim Conway's sermons. I am not shielding him from the truth.  This has given him a dose of Christian perspective and a healthy fear of God.  This fear is what keeps him grounded and will keep him from making unwise decisions when I am not around.

I had a proud moment  tonight when I overheard him talking to his Dad who is in Europe on business.  His Dad complained of being unable to sleep. Charlie suggested that he pray and rebuke any evil spirits away to help him rest peacefully; since this has helped him in the past. This showed me that my prayers and discipleship is bearing fruit.

If your child has already been exposed and/or defiled, pray for them and love them; don’t blame them. You are partially to blame.  Pray God’s Word over their lives daily and ask God for forgiveness for not knowing any better as a parent. It’s never too late to be a Godly parent. Even I went through a short season when I was not leading my son in God's commands.  God entrusted you with them.  It’s your duty not only to provide for them, but also to raise them in the ways of God. Most parents these days let their children run wild and go out with anyone at age 13. They’ll let their 16-year-old daughters date boys who drive cars.  In the Bible, Abraham loved parenting Isaac so much that he sent his servant to find a wife for him at age 40! This means that Isaac hung around the ranch with Mom and Dad and didn’t leave and cleave for four decades!  Now that’s what I call dedication to parenting!

Hope for the Hopeless
There is hope for the shattered lives broken by pornography, abuse, adultery, and sexual immorality triggered by mass media.  Jesus Christ is the only true Healer and Redeemer who can mend lives and reconcile us to Himself.  His body was broken for us; including our sinful actions and the actions done to our children.  There is nothing He cannot subdue or conquer.  Satan wants us to believe that all is lost forever; like our innocence.  Only Jesus can heal the broken and restore what was stolen!  There is no condemnation in Christ.  No one can hold our sins against us or point a finger at us once we are reconciled in Christ Jesus.  We are made new by the shedding of His blood and His resurrected life. 

Psalm 118:6-8
The Lord is on my side, I am not afraid!
What can people do to me?
The Lord is on my side as my helper.
I look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take shelter in the Lord
than to trust in people.

Jesus has overcome everything on earth.  Though He didn’t commit sin, He suffered, died, and paid the penalty for ALL sin.  Through Him, we have power to overcome sin and death!  God doesn’t expect us to overcome addiction and sin on our own sheer will and strength.  It’s impossible!  He is fully aware of the dark forces working against us.  So He made a provision for us to Overcome through His son JESUS!  In the richness of His mercy and love, He rewards us for overcoming the world, when it was He Himself who provided us a way to conquer it; through Him!  God is so Good!  This reminds me of the song, Overcome by Jeremy Camp.  Here is an excerpt of the lyrics.

Overcome by Jeremy Camp

Seated above
Enthroned in the Father's love
Destined to die
Poured out for all mankind
God's only Son
Perfect and spotless one
And He never sinned 
But suffered as if He did
All authority
Every victory is Yours
Savior
Worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise
You overcame
Jesus
Awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name
You overcame
We will overcome 
By the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony
Everyone overcome


Here is the link on YouTube:

Revelation 12: 10-12
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Ephesians 2:1-5
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.



Overcome Addiction to Pornography
This insidious addiction affecting millions worldwide is taking down people in all walks of life; even children. I am in no way an expert on overcoming addiction to pornography, but I can offer my own brief testimony as a testament to the power of God’s Spirit in helping me overcome addictive sinful behaviors.  God’s Word was a lamp for my feet and a light to my path to healing and righteousness.  Therefore, I am not coming from a judgmental standpoint but rather a place of empathy and understanding.  The final judgment is from God Himself, not me or even the injured parties affected by this insidious addiction.

Back in 2010, I was addicted to Love and Romance.  After my divorce, I was determined to find True Love so I went on many dates with countless men.  My addiction led me far away from God.  Instead, television and media were major influences in my life, rational, and thinking. “Everyone is dating and finding their Love Match, why can’t I?”  Everything came to a crashing halt when my back was severely injured.  I was literally crawling on my knees for weeks and spent months in therapy.  Even though I was humbled and in pain, it didn’t completely shake my addiction.  I continued my quest and started dating again after I recovered.  A few months later I was driving home one night around 1:30 am fearing for my life.  I was so afraid that I wouldn’t get home in one piece that I prayed and asked God for forgiveness for my sins.  The next morning, I closed all my online accounts and deleted all the male contacts from my phone.  I stopped watching television and started studying my Bible.  God gave me a new quest: to search for Purity in Christ.  I studied day and night for about 6 months; saturating my mind with God’s Word and listening to hundreds of podcasts and videos.  I came out of if a completely transformed person with a renewed mind and perspective.  Suddenly I could see everything clearly.  If you’ve ever seen that movie “Limitless” you would understand the clarity I speak of.  I chuckle when I watch it because, the main character had to take a drug to see and think clearly.  All I had to do was stop watching television and set my mind and heart to His Words to hear Him more audibly and see His views.

This is why I write so strongly and with conviction.  For years I heard sugar-coated “Feel Good” sermons that led me to a mindset of worldliness and compromise...which contributed to my divorce.  God replaced my sinful worldliness with a clear mind and pure heart.  He gave me a purpose and a mandate to follow: To write with the voice of someone I needed the first 20 years of my Christian walk: Truthful and to the point… He has set me free from the bondage of sin.  I am a walking testament of God’s Love and Power to cleanse, heal, and redeem.  Only He has the power to overcome sin.  Not by my power, but by His!  For the first time in my life I knew what abiding in Him really meant.

John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

This is why Satan is so adamant about distracting us with television and media.  He wants to distract us so that we won’t see or hear the truth; and live according to God’s purpose.  He wants us busy and stressed so that we will watch lots of t.v. to forget our burdens; then lean on worldly vices to solve our problems.  Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”   I am finally at rest in the arms of Jesus.  

Did you know that it is only God who can give us true rest?  We can take sleeping pills and medication to calm our nerves, but God is the only one who grants us true rest.  He is just waiting for us to shut off all the NOISE and go to Him.  Running to the television or pornography is only a temporary fix.  It only gives birth to more sin and we end up in worse shape than when we started.

Psalm 4:8
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Rooting for the Bad Guy
If using sex to market products wasn’t enough, both television and movies are sending a message that sin is cool and there are no consequences if you can get away with it.  We’re seeing more bad guys getting away with crime and murder.  We’re even rooting for the bad guy to get away with their crimes in the end since he is the lesser evil between the two bad guys.  This is teaching our children that there are no consequences to our sin. This opposes what the bible tells us.  Everyone is accountable for their wrongdoing and God sees everything.

Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Romans 14:12
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

This is exactly what the devil wants; a corruptible compromised population who doesn’t fear God and thinks there are no consequences to sin.  He wants sex to infiltrate our children’s minds and pornography to enter our homes.  He wants the masses to be brainwashed and useless so that when the day of reckoning arrives, they will fall in line like sheep to the slaughter.  He doesn’t want us living out our true purpose or walk in victory.  He wants Christians to behave like Non-Christians; acting Lukewarm, watching the same garbage on television, talking about the same topics at the water cooler so that their saltiness and testimony will no longer be effective.  This is the kind of thing that made Jesus want to vomit!

Revelation 3:16-18
So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

Which of you can say that your life is better from watching countless hours in front of the television?  Which of you can honestly say that your stress was truly relieved by watching pornography?  We are all worse off mentally, physically, and spiritually.  We will feel more drained as a result.  The devil is a liar!  God wants more of us to stand for what is right, pure, and good, than to accept the garbage being thrown at us.
Anoint your eyes with salve so that you may see the Truth; so that you may see the lies and propaganda being spoon fed to you through television and media; so that you may protect your children from the snares and bad influences.  If your children don’t fear you or God, television is the number one reason.  Shut off your television and media long enough so that you can hear God.  Ingest the Truth instead of the lies.  Be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you can understand and hear God’s clear voice and His will for your life!

Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Ephesians 4:17-24
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ,  if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.


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