Urban Reformation

Still on Chapter two and as I look forward in the book these challenges are daily in our culture.  Later in chapter two they discuss Coram Deo, a Latin phrase that means “before the face of God.”  Striking out having this proactive stance to live every day purposed, striving toward sanctification living before the face of God.

Let me carefully point out in this chapter they also discuss legalism and license, and rectify the fact that this must be grace motivated obedience not a tool to earn righteousness before God’s eyes.  There is a slippery slope on each side, but so often because we are scared of being legalistic, or afraid of assaulting Christian liberty we leave these topics alone, to the detriment of being lulled asleep by our culture, as the enemy attacks us in our hypnotic trance  of media !

The book then comes out with a statement that Ephesians not only commands us to discern what is pleasing to God but identifies what is displeasing!

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. – Ephesians 5:3

The NIV which they quote in the book, says there shouldn’t even be a “Hint” of sexual immorality, because these are improper for God’s Holy people.  They say it’s hard to imagine a stronger statement than “Not Even A Hint” of sexual immorality.

We can barely drive down the street without seeing skin on billboard, not to mention the commercials on television.  Our sinful hearts as men at least are always seeking to attach their affections on something other than God, and often for men it is the lust of the eyes.  These are difficult things for men to deal with.  I noticed in an up coming chapter there is “God My Heart & Stuff ” so there are things in this book for everyone!

Some questions they give in chapter two to help your own heart evaluate media go as follows:

Time Questions:

• Am I skipping or delaying something important in order to watch this now?
• What are my other social/entertainment options besides watching television or going out to see a movie?
• How much time have I already spent on media today?
• How much time have i spent surfing the internet?  How much time have I spent blogging or maintaining an online presence through social network sites?
• In the last week, how much time have I spent on spiritual disciplines, building relationships, or  serving in my local church compared to time spent consuming media?

There are more questions ( Read the Book)

Heart Questions:

• Why do I want to watch this program or film?  What do I find entertaining about it?
• Am I seeking to escape from something I should be facing by watching this?  Am I seeking comfort or relief that can be found only in God?
• What sinful temptations will this program or film present?
• Do I secretly want to view something in it that is sinful?  Am I deceiving myself by saying “I’ll fast-forward through the boad parts?”
• Similarly, am I telling myself, “I’ll just visit this website once, and I won’t click on any other links I find there?”
• Am I watching because I’m bored or lazy?  What does that reveal about my heart?

There are more questions ( Read the Book)

Content Questions:

• What worldview or philosophy of life does this program or film present?  What’s the view of man’s nature?  What’s the view of sin?  Is sin identified as such?  What’s the view of God’s ordained authority figures?  And how do these views relate to God’s view?
• What does this program or film glamorize?  What is valued or considered important?
• Who are the heroes?  Why are they heroic?
• Is sin shown as having negative consequences? Or is sin glorified or rewarded?  Is sin presented in an appealing or seductive way?
• What is the sexual content?  Is there nudity?  Sensual or seductive dress?  Are there images, language, or humor that is sexually impure?
• Is sinful self-sufficiency honored?  Are the heroic characters concerned for others or merely themselves?
• Does the program portray materialism as “the good life”?

There are more questions ( Read the Book)

So some takeaways, but not all the possible takeaways from chapter 2 are;     to be proactive and purposeful as you move toward sanctification in your viewing habbits, to live coram deo or “before the face of God”, to ask God honoring God glorifying questions as you choice by choice in your media selection seek to proactively not passively honor Him.  They also spoke about some media being permissible but not all things are beneficial, and these are things to ask ourselves as we desire to be conformed to the image of Christ not only on the outside but as we allow God to form these God honoring habbits from the inside out within our hearts!

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