How to live in a PG world.
A few days ago I had a conversation with a member of my family and God gave me a phrase that I've been reflecting on since Christmas: We need to try to live in a PG world.
I'm not going to suggest that this is easy to do (the world is absolutely not PG rated). But, it is at least attemptable. If you are a Christian, I want to challenge you to consider the influences you allow to shape your heart and your soul. If you are not a follower of Jesus, I want you to consider that maybe the compromise you see so many "Christians" have with the world isn't what God intends for us. We aren't reflecting the reality we claim to believe, and it is largely because we want to be entertained by worldly things.
So, Christians... I am providing an action list. It isn't in any particular order, and I really don't need to tell you how these things affect our hearts. However, if you feel something on this list is too extreme (is that possible in a faith where a perfect God dies for sinful people?), I will address each individually if you want more detail. Simply leave a comment and I will blog back. If you'd like to be anonymous simple ask me not to post your comment and I will honor that request.
This action list is both protective and proactive. It is only a sampling.
> Cancel your cable or satellite.
> Don't watch movies with content that tempts you to sin in your mind.
> Don't listen to secular music stations.
> Vote with your mind rather than with your emotions.
> Dress modestly.
> Cancel your newspaper subscription for at least a year.
> Never read tabloids or horoscopes.
> Don't open fortune cookies.
> Only read books and journals that honor God.
> If the news is on at the gym or on your radio, listen prayerfully, and remember most news stations (by their own admittance) are more concerned with ratings than with truth.
> If an offensive song or television show is playing in a public place, ask for it to be changed.
> Be offended by sin, and speak out against it
> Throw away books like Harry Potter or Harlequins.
> Don't go to bars.
> Always stand for righteousness. (See Olivia's new blog post.)
> Don't become addicted to anything, including things like sports, fishing, food, shopping, popularity, extreme behaviors, etc...
> Mention that you are a Christian and ask your waiter/waitress how you can pray for them when you get your food. (Tip well!)
> Read your Bible DAILY!
> Don't swear.
> Keep the ten commandments.
> Never have sex with anyone you aren't married to.
> Confess your sin and ask others to forgive you when you wrong them.
> Don't surf the Internet when you are bored. (Only use it on purpose and for a purpose.)
> Treat Halloween like it is a Trick.
> Don't allow money to become a idol.
> Never become casual in your Christianity. (Comfortable Christianity is about us rather than God, which is pride.)
> Don't read billboards, and avoid the ones that are sinful. (Just because it is there, doesn't mean you have to read it.)
> Remember that you are saved by Grace; you didn't earn it.
> Don't be politically correct.
> Never celebrate sin.
> Never pretend that a lost person is going to Heaven. Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Humanists may all be very sincere, but there is only one Truth. (Jesus says He is the only Way, Truth, and Life, and that Nobody gets to the Father except through Him.)
> Attend a Bible-teaching, Spirit-led, missional church (but don't JUST attend).
> Think of ways to create your own action list for living in a PG world.
I'm not going to suggest that this is easy to do (the world is absolutely not PG rated). But, it is at least attemptable. If you are a Christian, I want to challenge you to consider the influences you allow to shape your heart and your soul. If you are not a follower of Jesus, I want you to consider that maybe the compromise you see so many "Christians" have with the world isn't what God intends for us. We aren't reflecting the reality we claim to believe, and it is largely because we want to be entertained by worldly things.
So, Christians... I am providing an action list. It isn't in any particular order, and I really don't need to tell you how these things affect our hearts. However, if you feel something on this list is too extreme (is that possible in a faith where a perfect God dies for sinful people?), I will address each individually if you want more detail. Simply leave a comment and I will blog back. If you'd like to be anonymous simple ask me not to post your comment and I will honor that request.
This action list is both protective and proactive. It is only a sampling.
> Cancel your cable or satellite.
> Don't watch movies with content that tempts you to sin in your mind.
> Don't listen to secular music stations.
> Vote with your mind rather than with your emotions.
> Dress modestly.
> Cancel your newspaper subscription for at least a year.
> Never read tabloids or horoscopes.
> Don't open fortune cookies.
> Only read books and journals that honor God.
> If the news is on at the gym or on your radio, listen prayerfully, and remember most news stations (by their own admittance) are more concerned with ratings than with truth.
> If an offensive song or television show is playing in a public place, ask for it to be changed.
> Be offended by sin, and speak out against it
> Throw away books like Harry Potter or Harlequins.
> Don't go to bars.
> Always stand for righteousness. (See Olivia's new blog post.)
> Don't become addicted to anything, including things like sports, fishing, food, shopping, popularity, extreme behaviors, etc...
> Mention that you are a Christian and ask your waiter/waitress how you can pray for them when you get your food. (Tip well!)
> Read your Bible DAILY!
> Don't swear.
> Keep the ten commandments.
> Never have sex with anyone you aren't married to.
> Confess your sin and ask others to forgive you when you wrong them.
> Don't surf the Internet when you are bored. (Only use it on purpose and for a purpose.)
> Treat Halloween like it is a Trick.
> Don't allow money to become a idol.
> Never become casual in your Christianity. (Comfortable Christianity is about us rather than God, which is pride.)
> Don't read billboards, and avoid the ones that are sinful. (Just because it is there, doesn't mean you have to read it.)
> Remember that you are saved by Grace; you didn't earn it.
> Don't be politically correct.
> Never celebrate sin.
> Never pretend that a lost person is going to Heaven. Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Humanists may all be very sincere, but there is only one Truth. (Jesus says He is the only Way, Truth, and Life, and that Nobody gets to the Father except through Him.)
> Attend a Bible-teaching, Spirit-led, missional church (but don't JUST attend).
> Think of ways to create your own action list for living in a PG world.
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