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Monday, April 18, 2011

Yesterday, God messed with my status quo.   Just when I thought,  "Surely, Lord, haven't I sacrificed enough?"  He asked me to do to something else.

It came in the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit after reading this verse,

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. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." (Eph. 5:3-5)




I thought I was doing pretty well, when held up against the Christians in Ephesus.  I'm vigilant in all these areas.  In fact, I almost twisted my arm patting myself on the back.

Then God highlighted the part about course joking.  Even then I questioned why I was being nudged.  I don't make any coarse jokes, Lord.  You know that.  

But then a recent episode of The Office flashed in front of my mind.  And then another show sidled up along side it.  Oh ... right ... those shows did have coarse joking in them.  And I did laugh at them.

And then this thought snuck in:  Would Jesus laugh at that?

So today, my road just got narrower.  Apparently there is more to give up if I want to be a woman whose beliefs and life run in parallel lines.  I expect that a coarse joke is going to appear every once in awhile even with vigilance.  But today I'm making a choice to give up something I know has this type of humor.

Yesterday I wrestled with these instructions.  I whined a bit.  But now I trust God to replace what I'm giving up with something even better.  

In His Love,

Glynnis




10 comments:

Sarah Thomas said...

Oh man, I know what you mean! I used to watch Three and Half Men. I knew it was awful. I knew it was immoral. But it made me laugh. Then there was all the media hoorah about Charlie Sheen and I realized I needed to NEVER watch the show that gave him such a terrible platform. It's SO hard to keep watch over the junk that gets into our brains. Thanks for letting us know you have a hard time with it, too!

LauraLee Shaw said...

Oh Glynnis, it makes my heart leap for joy that the Lord, by His loving grace has led you to this conclusion. I've been on this "road" for awhile now, choosing to live in freedom, but understanding what is not beneficial for my spiritual growth. Grace gives us the permission to say yes AND no. Praying for you today, dear sister.

Jennifer Renee said...

Glynnis I have thought about this same thing when emailing different stories and other things I come across to friends. If it has a hint of something immoral I've decided not to share it or even to keep reading it if I realize right away it's something I shouldn't share. We are in the world but not of the world. I want people to always see Jesus in me. There are even some words people, like my father, who are in church, use that make my skin crawl but they don't think anything is wrong with these words.

Tracy Nunes said...

I agree with the previous commenters. Thank you for sharing your heart about this Glynnis. Sometimes I think there is a lot of "don't want to be legalistic" going around that opens us up to make choices that dishoner the Lord. Honoring His Holiness is worth any sacrifice we make. Not to be made clean, but rather to honor the One who has made us clean. GREAT post Glynnis!

Anonymous said...

Hi Glynnis,
Thank you for sharing with us what the Lord put on your heart.
I recently came upon a reality show that, while it's interesting to watch and "not that bad" by the world's standards, it's not what I should be filling my mind with nor spending my time on. The Holy Spirit brought that show to mind as I read your post, which further drove home the truth that I should not watch it anymore.
Like you said, I will trust that God will replace what I'm giving up with something even better!
Smiles,
Natalie :o)

Danielle said...

Glynnis,

Thank you for being so open and honest about this issue. It's one that I think many "Christian's" side step because they don't want to smush any toes.

My husband and I decided when we first married that we wouldn't have TV in our house. That's not to say we don't have A TV, we just have never had cable or dish, or anything that would bring live or current feed. We have always bought movies from the Christian bookstores, or we've rented. But, even in that, I cannot claim to be without guilt or shame in some of the things we have rented. But, for the past 8 months or so, God has brought to my mind, "If you won't let your child watch, why do you watch?" Oh, ouch! "Cause she's only 11!"

The battle went back and forth, for awhile. I know alot of my friends think I'm a nut because our 11 year old daughter is still only allowed to watch PG. It's very very rare that a PG13 movie makes it in front of her. Some say that's taking it to the extreme, but ya know what... I want to be extreme for Christ and I want her to live a life that is set apart and extreme for Him as well.

Anyway... blessings to you, sister!

Anonymous said...

You know, Glynnis, I think God has been trying to send me the same message!

I've been rationalizing and in deep denial but it has been on my mind not just with movies (I like Romantic Comedies), and TV shows, but with workout classes like ZUMBA. I love dance aerobics but I've been thinking, some of the music played and the words in it aren't exactly what God would approve...the innuendos in some of the songs and moves are similar to being in a club dancing to the latest hit song on the Billboard charts...not the more innocent songs either, the ones that promote sexual immorality.

So thank you for posting what you've posted.

Please pray not only for me but that we all will obey the nudging of the Holy Spirit.

Kendra Cameron-Jarvis said...

I gave up television two years ago. We still have basic cable but anytime it is turned on it is on PBS Kids Channel or we put in a Veggie tales DVD for my daughter. At first it was difficult not watching television but now it is empowering. I realize how much time I wasted doing something so sedentary. Not only do I have more time to do better things I also have a much better focus on Christ because I am not filling my soul with profanity, immorality, or course jokes. It will be difficult at first, but just wait a few months will pass and you will be amazed at all the time you have.

Blessings,
Kendra
www.abusywomanslife.com

Cheryl said...

Thank you for posting this. I, too, in the past have felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit telling me it is time to let go of certain shows I watched. I am not going to lie, it hurt, I even cried because I liked the show so much. But, I made a promise to God that I would never watch it again, and I haven't. Not that it was easy, because I would see it on the tv line up or a recap of the show on tv websites, and I would quickly have to turn off the tv or click off the website before I was tempted. I know I still have a lot to root out of my life that just doesn't line up with God's truth.

I am so thankful that God is such a loving and merciful father, that continues to mold and reshape my thinking. That He continues to mold me to His will and away from mine.

Shandra said...

I just love your depth and openness, Glynnis. Thank you for being real and allowing God to use you to bless and challenge other women...especially me.