While some input is clearly godly and some is clearly ungodly, there is much input that is neither godly nor ungodly in itself. Instead, the individual’s perceptions, motives, and treatment of this input determine whether it has a godly effect or an ungodly effect on them. Things that fall into this neutral category often tend to become spiritually negative or harmful if overindulged in, because they crowd out the beneficial input and life experience that a person could otherwise be getting.
Entertainment is enjoyable, and it has a place in a balanced life. It goes without saying that most entertainment isn’t entirely pure, but some of it can be acceptable and even healthy if it is used in moderation for times of relaxation and recreation. Otherwise it can become ungodly by overindulgence or not protecting your attitudes and habits from being negatively influenced.
The effect of neutral input varies. Is what you’re spending your time on benefiting you as a person or aiding you in your service to the Lord, or is it stealing your time from priorities that are actually much more important to you?
When determining what input is acceptable for you, or when determining the amount of time that you feel you can spend on it, it’s vital that you are honest with yourself about your priorities in life.
Our responsibility as Christians is to protect our spirits.
Our mission is bringing Jesus to others, helping them come to know His love, and sharing the Word with them. In order to do this successfully, we need to be full of Jesus and to live His Word ourselves. The more of Jesus we have in our lives, the more we can take on His nature. The more of Jesus we have in our lives, the more likely others will be drawn to His Spirit in us, and the more successful we will be. Thus, the things that draw us away from Jesus and His Spirit, or that tarnish our spirit or sully our testimony are things we would want to avoid. Anything that weakens our conviction and motivation to be His lights in the world could hinder our success in the mission.—Maria Fontaine
As a Christian missionary and disciple, you want people to clearly see My values alive in you. You want your actions, countenance, words, and lifestyle to reflect godly qualities. Upon getting to know you, people should be able to say: “They’re principled. They’re honest and kind. They love Jesus. They’re trustworthy. They’re happy. They’re good Christians.”
What you take in is what you reflect. If the things you take into your spirit aid you in living a godly, balanced, happy life, then your reflection will remain clear and vivid. People will see Me within you.—Jesus, speaking in prophecy1
When John Wesley was away at college, he asked his mother Susanna for a list of sins to avoid, and she replied: “Whatever weakens your reason, whatever impairs the tenderness of your conscience, whatever obscures your sense of God, whatever increases the authority of your body over your mind, whatever takes away from your relish for spiritual things, that to you is sin, no matter how innocent it is in itself.”—Author unknown
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.—Philippians 4:8
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