How can I break free from an addiction to entertainment?
Dear Brethren,
I’ve been thinking much in these days about the things that tend to kill my spiritual interest, things that have a sedative effect on my spiritual life and perspectives, things that undermine my longing for Christ’s return and my interest in the souls of the lost. I do believe we live in a time and place in human history that makes it particularly difficult for Christians to keep a keen eye on eternity. Our tall friend in the Far East said not long ago he believes America is the hardest place in the world to maintain a fervent zeal for the things of Christ. It’s not opposing authorities hounding us every day. It’s the world, the flesh and the devil. Never before in human history have these three great enemies of our spiritual lives had more ready access to our hearts, minds and homes.
The question I face is this: am I willing to deny myself even legitimate things if they have such a weakening effect on my spiritual life? I recognize that as a huge battlefront in my own spiritual warfare. I hate the thought of being rendered lukewarm and spiritually impotent by anything in this world, no matter how “innocent.” If I am to hate even my closest relations, yeah even my own life, in comparison to my love for Christ (Luke 14:26), how much more should I hate the allurements of the world that compete for my affections. Don’t get me wrong. I understand it’s not the things themselves that are the problem. Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this too-oft divided and fickle heart!
This morning, I read this post from John Piper on the DesiringGod website:
I thought I would share it with you in order that we might think more about these things together. I encourage you to take just a couple of minutes to read it.
May God help us to resist the spirit of the (entertainment) age in which we live, to renew our minds daily by His Word, and to “seek those things which are above, where Christ is, at the right hand of God.”
Striving together with you,
Pastor Andy
