2 Corinthians 10:5-Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
I want to share something with you that made a huge impact in my life and my walk with Christ. When I was in 10th grade I went to Bible camp for a week in the summer. During that week God used the preaching, the music, and the godly people to convict me. I had been living life passively as a Christian. I wasn't sold out for Christ. I wasn't focused on my walk and my relationship with my Prince, instead I was focused on guys and the things of the world. I knew I needed to make a change. So I looked at my life to figure out what I should change. God convicted me about my choice of music. I had been primarily listening to country, although there are some country songs that are good the majority are about (or at least refer to) drinking, relationships, etc. As a genre, it certainly isn't focused on Christ. So I decided to make a change. I gave up the country music (even the "good" songs), I didn't watch any movies that had any inappropriate scenes in it, and I told those around me what I was doing so that they would be respectful and not be playing or watching that stuff when I was around. I stopped listening to and watching all of those things and I only listened to Praise and Worship music, Hymns, and other good solid Christian music. As for movies I only watched things that were family friendly and appropriate. So my first goal was to make it to 30 days with my new standard. After the 30 days when I watched some of the old movies and TV shows that I used to watch, I was horrified and threw a lot of movies out! After that, any time I was around country music I realized what some of those lyrics were actually about and I can't stand country now.
So many times people think music and just music and is harmless. But that is such a lie! What we watch and listen to becomes a part of who we are. Once I got rid of all of my old music and movies I can't tell you how much easier it was to keep my focus on God. After I did that, music was no longer just background noise to me, it was powerful and holy. When I had my music on, I was worshipping my Savior! Talk about a transformation!! I also realized my thought life was a lot better. I wasn't focused on guys or relationships, I was focused on my Prince and just totally and completely in awe of Him. All I wanted to do was spend more time with Him and spend more time worshipping Him!
I want to encourage you with this 30 day challenge. Stop listening to all music and only listen to Praise and Worship, Hymns, and good solid Christian music. Stop watching movies and TV shows that are "questionable" and turn to family friendly and faith oriented films. There are some good ones out there. Or better yet, turn off the TV for 30 days and the time that you normally would spend watching TV, spend it with your Prince, your Savior. You will be amazed at what this does. After the 30 days I encourage you to go back through your music and movies with this new prospective and purge them. You will be completely amazed at the things that you used to watch and listen to that didn't bother you, and now it does. With society the way it is, drifting further and further from Christ, we become immune to a lot. As Christians that is wrong. We should never allow ourselves to become immune, but sadly many of us do. I know, I have been there. It isn't till you take that stuff out of your life for awhile then go back to it, you realize this. The time that you were away from it is like you are detoxing and then your eyes are open to it and you can now see all of the sin involved with it. So, as a sister I want to encourage all of you girls to take my 30 day challenge and allow the Lord to use it. See what He does. Allow Him to use this time to draw you back to Himself. You won't regret it!
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