When we guard eyes, ears, and mouth, we ultimately guard our hearts, and that is essential to our transformation in Christ.
Proverbs 4:23: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Make this a very practical study. Don't think in concepts. Think of practical ways you can apply these verses to your life.
1. Does your entertainment produce godly values? Who are your heroes?
Psalm 101:2-4: I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. 3 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. 4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.
The Psalmist talks of being "careful" in the way he lives, having "a blameless heart" (motive as well as action). He refuses to view anything vile. This would include not only pornography but anything that encouraged godless values (e.g. greed, selfishness, laziness, etc.). He refuses to admire those whose lives are faithless - his heroes are godly, not simply famous or popular.
2. Is your life a light?
Ephesians 5:1-4, 11-13: Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving...11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
verse 1: Remember we're loved.
verse 2: Remember God is our example.
verse 3: Even a "hint" of immorality is wrong among Christians. This means that how things "look" is important even if we aren't doing something wrong.
verse 4: Our language reflects our faith. It shouldn't be foolish, crude, rude, nor should it contain cussing.
verse 11: We should expose sin, not ignore it and certainly not entertain it.
verse 12: We are meant to be lights, reflecting and transmitting the Light of Christ.
copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2020
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