Last month my wife and I decided to change our internet and television provider. The company’s salesman asked, “Which of these television packages do you prefer?” He then opened a complicated brochure displaying hundreds of stations available in several different combinations.
Naturally I chose the 2nd list that included all the sports channels. The salesman responded, ‘I’ve got great news for you. This month our company is offering an introductory special. When you purchase level two, we throw in level three for free. That means in addition to all the listed channels we will include all the Showtime and Starz movie channels for the same price.”
I said, “I don’t think we care for that; level two will be fine.” He said, “Maybe you don’t understand, those additional channels are absolutely free. We don’t charge you for them.” My response was that we still didn’t want them because I considered some of the content inappropriate. But, “Thanks anyway.”
At first the salesman seemed puzzled why I didn’t understand a good deal when I saw it. Then the light came on and he asked, “Do you have grandchildren over to your house often?” My wife explained that we do have grandchildren and didn’t think it wise for them to have access to the some of the programming available on the movie channels. He informed us that we could block those channels with a code that was known only to us.
Therein was the real problem. To be honest, my decision wasn’t just to protect our grandchildren; it was to protect me. I know the code! And I know my carnal nature. I don’t need such easy access to vulgar language and sexual content either. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of your sinful nature.” (Romans 13:14)
It’s difficult to keep your thoughts pure and to live a righteous life is today’s immoral environment. I don’t need additional temptation at my fingertips. Even at age seventy, I struggle daily with temptation so it’s not very prudent to invite additional demonic seductions into my home
Jesus said, “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” (Matt. 5:29)
Maybe you are not tempted to lust, to swear or think impure thoughts. But we all have areas of weakness. Maybe your easily dragged away and enticed by greed, envy, doubt laziness, chemical addiction or a critical spirit.
If you struggle with gluttony it’s not wise to take a job working in a doughnut shop. Don’t intentionally feed the carnal nature within you. Don’t give Satan a foothold. Don’t walk into areas where you know the temptation will be enflamed. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:7-8)
This past Thursday a representative from the cable company installed our new television service. The technician said, ‘I see here that you have decided not to accept the free offer of the movie channels.” We assured him that was true. He said, “I’ve got good news! Since you don’t want level three, there is an automatic discount in the price we’re offering this month. Level two will be less costly.”…. Right!
