“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8, NIV
Jackson was frustrated by the poison ivy that continued to grow next to his home. Finally, he went to the local hardware store and bought a product that was designed to kill the plant at its root system.
When he got home, Jackson quickly doused the plant in the new liquid. He watched every day for weeks and he was delighted when he came home from work to discover the ivy shriveling up.
But the next weekend when he went to mow the lawn, he discovered it wasn’t just the ivy that had died. The plant next to it, a beautiful flowering bush that his wife loved, had also been killed.
He showed the situation to a friend who did lawn work professionally. “Well, you sprayed it too close to your bush. The roots take their nourishment from the soil and if the soil isn’t good, then your plants die.”
Like plants, you absorb nutrients from your surroundings. That means if you’re taking in negative content that encourages you to hate others or walk in sinful ways, your spirit will absorb it.
Spend time this week, thinking about the content you’re reading, watching on TV, listening to, and browsing on the internet. Is it good content that refreshes your heart? Is it pure and admirable?
Prayer:
Lord, I confess: sometimes, I don’t guard my heart carefully. I let in content that doesn’t honor You and that doesn’t feed my spirit. Help me to be more selective in the future. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
