“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23 NIV)
Good morning, God.
Good morning, Child. Did you see the verse I highlighted for you?
Yes, I think so. Psalm 101:3 “I will set no worthless or wicked thing before my eyes.” (AMP)
Yes. Do you know why I wanted you to see that?
Probably because I’m putting things into my mind that I shouldn’t be.
Yes. Read some other translations of that verse.
I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. (NIV)
I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. (NLT)
I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. (ESV)
I will not put anything wicked in front of my eyes. (GW)
Yes. You may not struggle with gossip or porn or coveting in the way others do, but you are still too much in the world. News, short videos, social media posts, and other things aren’t always sinful in themselves, but they are wasting your time. In this day and age there are many, many options like this! Don’t get sucked into them. Don’t put garbage in your soul. Don’t put worthless or wicked things in front of your eyes – either to read or to watch. They will distract you – even circumvent you – from hearing my Voice within you.
Sorry, God. I need some help in this area.
I am your source of help; read and pray this psalm. Find alternate “entertainment” that doesn’t involve scrolling or earthly news sources. Read for pleasure. Go outside in nature. Call a friend you haven’t talked with in a while. Pray for someone. Close your eyes and rest – listen for my Voice. My Voice is not in the voices of this world. They tear you down and wear you down. My Voice is love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, encouragement, building up. I am faithful and I am truthful.
Yes, Lord. I’m sorry.
You are forgiven. Now, move forward, renewed in your ability to see and hear me.
Lord, we will sing about your faithful love for us. Our song of praise will have your justice as its theme. We’re trying to walk in the way of integrity, especially in our own lives, but we need your help! Help us to silence those who secretly want to slander us. Help us to not tolerate the proud and arrogant. Help us to eliminate the voices of the world that are worthless, wicked, vile, and vulgar. May we hear your Voice, and may the voices we listen to be pure and godly as they minister to us, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
I will sing of [steadfast] lovingkindness and justice;
To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.
I will behave wisely and follow the way of integrity.
When will You come to me?
I will walk in my house in integrity and with a blameless heart.
I will set no worthless or wicked thing before my eyes.
I hate the practice of those who fall away [from the right path];
It will not grasp hold of me.
A perverse heart shall depart from me;
I will not tolerate evil. (Psalm 101:1-4 AMP)
Lord, I will sing about your faithful love for me.
My song of praise will have your justice as its theme.
I’m trying my best to walk in the way of integrity,
especially in my own home.
But I need your help!
I’m wondering, Lord, when will you appear?
I refuse to gaze on that which is vulgar.
I despise works of evil people
and anything that moves my heart away from you.
I will not let evil hold me in its grip.
Every perverse and crooked way I have put away from my heart,
for I will have nothing to do with the deeds of darkness.
I will silence those who secretly want to slander my friends,
and I will not tolerate the proud and arrogant.
My innermost circle will only be those
who I know are pure and godly.
They will be the only ones I allow to minister to me.
There’s no room in my home for hypocrites,
for I can’t stand chronic liars who flatter and deceive.
At each and every sunrise I will awake to do what’s right
and put to silence those who love wickedness,
freeing God’s people from their evil grip. (Psalm 101 TPT)