As we know the world is fallen and is largely run by people who are dominated by demonic spirits. That is not the perspective of some "weirdo" rad, but as Paul states...
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:1-6
Our meditation should be as befitting the mind of Christ (assuming we want it). Medtitating on the Word, speaking the Word, not turning to the right or to the left, casting down the vain imaginations provided for us by a fallen media.
I'm ashamed to say that my wife and I went to the movies and saw "Wanderlust". It was a shameful moment with some funny scenes about a NY couple who went to a hippie commune. The contrast was humorous, but the uncovering of the first guys nakedness was pretty unseemly spiritually speaking. At the end of the movie, we saw both men and women. I'm married so the flesh stuff isn't what it once was, but we cannot take things for granted. I always try to shield my wife from the crappy things of the world. Wrong turn!
Taking the Lord's name in vain and the idea of the guy getting permission to have sex with another woman as a condition to stay and live there was pretty sad. Then the guy went in front of a mirror and practiced what he would say to the girl he was going to "throw down" with. Everyone laughed as one was stoned and practicing being funny in a mirror.
Compare that the next day to the anointing and I could crawl under my seat.
We have to make choices everyday to not partake of the foolishness of the world. Some of it is legitimate entertainment, but much of it is booby trapped (no pun intended) with "GDs" and fornication we learn to "ignore" (the Lord doesn't ignore it at all). I sat and watched some detective show with my wife and it has scenes where the detective is talking on the phone with the mass murderer who has staked out their house (with his wife) and all of a sudden I'm in the mind of a killer. These shows manipulate you into hating the killer and making you feel fear and helplessness. I don't believe it's of God. It deprives you of your peace and joy. The presence of the Lord leaves and after an hour or so, you feel numbed to the Spirit of God.
Concerning music, we have a list of things we're supposed to have our ear (and eye) gate fall within...
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
We also know that if we do not "die" to ourselves, we cannot really resurrect. We remain a single grain of wheat.
If the lyrics say things that oppose the kingdom, we're consenting to it. I
f we sing a curse upon ourselves, we've taken on trouble. You do realize that the enemy puts these bombs in songs to bring the world into a greater bondage.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and
they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Prov 18:21
Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward:
he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
Prov 22:5
On the more radical side, where many live and walk...
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
Psalms 73:27
In everything we do, we should maintain this perspective. Our heavenly places vantage. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:61-62
We can explain this away somehow, but at the basic level with the Kingdom of God being righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, we won't have it if we leave the Lord behind at some point.
I have hated them that regard
lying vanities: but I trust in the Lord.
Psalms 31:6
But they are altogether brutish and foolish:
the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Jer 10:8
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Jonah 2:8
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you
that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
Acts 14:15-16
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:22
Salvation, in addition to eternal life, is healing, deliverance, soundness.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:1-2
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God;
Heb 12:14-15
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:17-21 (KJV)
Sensual here, meaning carnal. So we have to keep chosing everyday and what we sacrifice is our own well being and abundant life.
