Fixing my thoughts...

A few weeks ago, I was sitting at my favorite mexican restaurant in Shelbyville (and we have a few) and the topic of a certain movie came up. It doesn't really matter what the movie was, so it will go nameless. One of the men stated that he had finally gotten to see this movie, and as he spoke he mentioned that it was not a movie that he would recommend. His disappointment was not in the quality of the filmaking or acting, but in some of the content that he wasn't pleased with. A young kid (teenager) had seen this movie as well, and began to go on and on about the greatness of this movie.

I was impressed in the character of the man in that he didn't scold the boy, but simply stated in a low key manner that he wished he had not seen the film. He didn't wish to embarrass the boy because young boys are, well, young boys; and it wasn't the time for a discussion of the reasons not to see the film. Taking his cue, I quickly distracted all by a totally irrelevant, but captivating topic that we could then move to.

I have found that each heart and spirit is a little different. We have a way of making others feel less by chiding them for what they cannot watch. I do not say that they cannot because of rule or regulations, but for other reasons. For some, the reason might be that they have made a commitment to themselves and their God that they will not view certain things. If this is done because they are made to by an organization, then it is fruitless. If it is a personal decision that is guiding only by their honor, then it will in fact reap benefits. For others, the reason they cannot view certain things is that they know their minds.

For instance, a totally harmless show can be on tv and my youngest son will cover his eyes when the "scary music" is heard. Others have problems dealing with gore, or sex, or other things and know that if they witness it then it will stay in and on their minds. We judge on both sides of the issue. Those that have no problem with viewing the film Saw (not the subject of the earlier conversation) riducule those who do not wish to view it. Those who choose not to see the film instantly judge the heart of those who do. So, what is the answer?

In the book of Philippians, chapter 4, Paul writes in the Word of God that there is a procedure for what we think about:

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what
is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think
about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

This has always helped me. Does what I am watching fit into these criteria? If so they will be good for me. If they don't, then I am probably setting myself up for thoughts that will take a while to get out of my head.