Gone crazy?
Reading: Daniel 1:11-16
“ ‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say —
but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ —
but I will not be mastered by anything” (1 Cor 6:12)
Teens are going crazy over anything and everything. They want the latest dresses and jewelry and make-up. They fly over some pop singer and write his name on their bedroom walls or tattoo his name on their arm or paste his pictures everywhere.
These are not outright sins. You may ask, “Is it wrong to go to the Cinema Hall or listen to pop songs or sing them?” The Bible has no direct answer for such questions. However Paul wants us to ask two questions and then decide —
1. Does this benefit me or not? Neither pop songs nor dirty cinemas benefit you; rather, they erode your values. The words in the songs and the dialogues in the cinema corrupt your mind subtly. Your craze for pizzas and ice creams undermine your health. If something does not benefit you, it is not worth it. It wastes the time that you can give to God or studies or some fruitful work.
2. Has it gained mastery over me? Have I come to the point of declaring: “I cannot live without it?” It may not be a sin; but if it has an unhealthy hold on you, then you must sacrifice it. It may be a habit or person or an addiction. God alone can be your master. You can be a slave to God alone.
Don’t think it is impossible to break away from the power that is holding you a slave. You can gain mastery over it by God’s power. Writing about the need for self-discipline, Paul says, “I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor 9:24-27).
We are running to claim a crown that will last forever. To even get a cup or medal, athletes are so self-controlled. How much more should we be? The fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control. Reduce the time and number gradually. If you are addicted to watching TV for three hours a day, make it two and a half or even two hours and fortyfive minutes. Gradually bring it down. Discipline yourself to say no. Gradually the vice will start relaxing its grip on you and you will find yourself engaging in more fruitful activities.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Gone crazy?
Reading: Daniel 1:11-16
“ ‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say —
but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ —
but I will not be mastered by anything” (1 Cor 6:12)
Teens are going crazy over anything and everything. They want the latest dresses and jewelry and make-up. They fly over some pop singer and write his name on their bedroom walls or tattoo his name on their arm or paste his pictures everywhere.
These are not outright sins. You may ask, “Is it wrong to go to the Cinema Hall or listen to pop songs or sing them?” The Bible has no direct answer for such questions. However Paul wants us to ask two questions and then decide —
1. Does this benefit me or not? Neither pop songs nor dirty cinemas benefit you; rather, they erode your values. The words in the songs and the dialogues in the cinema corrupt your mind subtly. Your craze for pizzas and ice creams undermine your health. If something does not benefit you, it is not worth it. It wastes the time that you can give to God or studies or some fruitful work.
2. Has it gained mastery over me? Have I come to the point of declaring: “I cannot live without it?” It may not be a sin; but if it has an unhealthy hold on you, then you must sacrifice it. It may be a habit or person or an addiction. God alone can be your master. You can be a slave to God alone.
Don’t think it is impossible to break away from the power that is holding you a slave. You can gain mastery over it by God’s power. Writing about the need for self-discipline, Paul says, “I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor 9:24-27).
We are running to claim a crown that will last forever. To even get a cup or medal, athletes are so self-controlled. How much more should we be? The fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control. Reduce the time and number gradually. If you are addicted to watching TV for three hours a day, make it two and a half or even two hours and fortyfive minutes. Gradually bring it down. Discipline yourself to say no. Gradually the vice will start relaxing its grip on you and you will find yourself engaging in more fruitful activities.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
