Conviction Makes the Heart Grow...Stronger?

Conviction is a word thats...well...painful. Conviction isn't fun or joyful, it's tough and gut-wrenching but is necessary for believers to grow in Christ. Monday night I was overwhelmed and completely convicted about a certain area in my life...what I watch on tv and in movies. It's funny how one harmless night watching a supposed "comedy" brings about such conviction in my life. Christ calls us to be set apart, to be in the world but not of the world. 1 John 2:15 says "Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world - wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important - has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out - but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity" (The Message).

Immediately Christ put Philippians 4:8 on my heart as well: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." It's sad how our society has evolved into one of tolerance for all things ungodly. There are very few movies that don't use crude language or explicit sex scenes. Television is just as bad. I don't want my nephews to watch or hear these things, so why would I ever allow myself to do the same?

We are called to be set apart, to be an example. We are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Praise be to God for His unfailing love that doesn't grow weary or diminish despite my faults and failures. His love is the only perfect love that can bring about change in this world. May my convictions bring about change in me that others might see and come to know my Savior!!!