Green Pastures By Pastor T. O. Banso
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We live in the information age. So much information is being made available to us through the radio, television, newspapers, magazines and books. There are all kinds of audio and video materials containing all forms of information not to talk of the internet through which one can easily and speedily access diverse resources from different parts of the world.
The volume of information both positive and negative that is available and accessible by human beings in contemporary world is unprecedented in human history. And because it is inexpensive to get and even own the means of accessing the large information being disseminated by all manners of people, it is extremely dangerous and destructive if one is not selective about the kind of information one exposes one's mind to.
Protect Your Heart
One of the gates to your heart is your mind, and the Bible says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." (Prov 4:23 NLT) You are largely a product of what you read, watch and listen to. If you feed your mind with dirty information through unwholesome music and literature, your life cannot be better than these pieces of information - in computer parlance, "garbage in, garbage out."
Dirty information that you daily allow into your mind will find its way into your heart and defile it. "And he said, that which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man." (Mark 7:20-23 KJV)
It is sad to say that much of the music being produced today in CDs, VCDs, DVDs etc. and being broadcast on radio and television, though popular, leaves much to be desired. It is even sadder that many of the artistes behind the unwholesome music dominating the entertainment world in our society today grew up in the church and many even sang in the church choir in the past where they developed their music skills. But they are now using their music skills to worship satan.
Satan's Discipleship Programme
Much more embarrassing is the fact that many church people today patronize this nonsensical and hazardous worldly music either privately or publicly instead of feeding their spirit with anointed messages and inspiring music on tapes, CDs, VCDs, DVDs etc. Many of them know these nonsensical songs more than the Holy Ghost inspired church hymns and worship songs. In fact, some get carried away and hum and sing them in church! What a shame!
Many homes and many minds are living under the siege of the creative works of those whose God-given talents satan has hijacked and perverted to corrupt many more lives and disciple them for himself. Indeed, satan is living true to his name as the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2) because really, he is controlling the air wave at the moment as more popular music with unedifying lyrics are being aired than edifying songs.
Those who read dirty and immoral books and watch and stuff in their minds similar destructive information from music and movies cannot live a spiritually and morally healthy life and their future cannot bring glory to God. What do you expect from someone whose hobby is reading pornographic literature and watching x-rated films? He or she will become sexually perverted and violent. Disgusting words, lyrics and images in immoral publications, music and movies will hold people's minds captive and corrupt them.
I like what God's prophet, A.W.Tozer said. He said, "What can you say about the kinds of books and magazines you read? The things you read will fashion you by slowly conditioning your mind. Little by little, even though you think you are resisting, you will take on the shape of the mind of the author of that book you are reading. You will begin to put your emphasis where he puts his. You will begin to put your values where he places his. You will find yourself liking what he likes and thinking as he thinks. The same thing is certainly true of the power of modern films on the minds and morals of those who give themselves over to their influences" Did you see that? He said this many years ago but the truth is still valid, and will ever be.
Hear him again: "It is not overstating the case to insist that the kinds of music you enjoy will demonstrate pretty much what you are inside. If you give yourself to the contemporary fare of music that touches the baser emotions, it will shape your mind and emotions and desires, whether you admit it or not." Think about that!
Take Heed
Your life will be shaped by the information you allow into your mind, which it will process. Jesus said, "Take heed what you hear." (Mark 4:24 NKJV) He said again "Take heed how you hear." (Luke 8:18 NKJV) Don't listen to just any music. Don't watch just any film or movie. Don't listen to just any music. Don't read just any book or magazine. Don't say, "It doesn't matter" It matters. Be selective and guided by the Word of God. "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." (Phil 4:8 KJV) Whatever you meditate upon will eventually be magnified whether it is the 'poison' from those junk movies, music, magazines and books or the life giving words from the Bible and Bible based materials.
The future God has planned for you and me is not one of disaster. But what you do today determines the type of future you will have. However, no matter how much you desire a glorious future, what you read, watch and listen to will determine a great deal the kind of future that you will get.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, kindly say this prayer now: "0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and my Lord and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God"
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you.
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