A Mindless Morning and a Word of Correction

 

Wasting Time

I was doing a little reading this morning from my interlinear Hebrew Bible. Psalm 101, to be exact. After watching a few seemingly innocent television programs on a channel that broadcasts sitcoms from the 70s, such as "Family Affair" (you remember Buffy, Jody, and Sissy?), "My Three Sons," and "Petticoat Junction." I did notice subtle social and cultural agendas laced throughout the storylines. They were still easy to ignore because they were undoubtedly nothing as blatant, irreverent, or decadent as our modern sitcoms. That makes it ok. (sarcasm intended)

"A little leaven leavens the whole lump." 

— Galatians 5:9

I justified watching them because of their supposed innocence, and I was also looking for a mindless activity and distraction from the present stresses of life, schedule, and conflict. In other words, I had rare time off after a hectic summer and wanted to vegetate. After realizing I had wasted an hour and a half on "nothing," I decided that, innocent or not, I gained nothing from my self-justified escape, and it was time to read the Word! And this is what I read.

I will set nothing wicked before my eyes. 

— Psalm 101:3

In this verse, I noticed that the Hebrew word translated as wicked is "Belial," which means worthless, unprofitable, useless, fruitless, and nothing—not the usual Hebrew word "ra," which most commonly translates wicked. A personal paraphrase could read:

I will set no worthless, unprofitable, useless, and unfruitful thing before my eyes

I couldn't have considered a better way to describe secular television programming. The very thing we set before our eyes is worthless, unprofitable, useless, unfruitful, and amounts to nothing but wasted time and a warped, deluded mind, no matter how seemingly innocent. The Psalmist appeals to the Lord to

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.

— Psalm 119:37

The Hebrew word worthless in this verse means empty and deceitful. We don't realize that television is the world evangelist of lies and deceit. 

The English word "deceive" comes from the Latin root "ceive," meaning to understand or apprehend. The prefix "de" means to take away, remove, or reverse. The agendas and ways of this world take away our knowledge of God's ways and turn us away from what we have already apprehended.

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 

— Revelation 22:18-19

 I also thought of how precious it is for God to speak to me from His Word so individually and personally. It was "Manna" from heaven in a dry season.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 

— 2 Timothy 3:16

What is genuinely profitable is to spend time in His Word. Hallelujah for His reproof and correction. I also just read that the other day in Luke.

Come to Jesus

"He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed" 

— Luke 5:16. 

I would suspect Jesus was a busy guy, busier than me. People followed Him everywhere, wanting and needing Him. He didn't often withdraw to watch television like me. Luke says He escaped in prayer. If Jesus had to take time away from the business of life to pray, how much more do I?

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

— Matthew 11:28

 Indeed, without Him, I can do nothing! (John 15:5)

© 2011 Tamarajo