The Bible says, as we behold we become changed (2 Corinthians 3:18, Proverbs 23;7). In other words, what we choose to watch and think about has a great impact on our character and behavior — it happens slow and gradual, almost imperceptible. Could that be an explanation for what is going on in our society? Violence, wickedness, godlessness and sexual immorality are everywhere (just read the news). Things that would have been shocking a few decades, or would have been unthinkable a generation ago, are everyday events. 

Violence, sex and godlessness are immoralities that we have learned from Hollywood. As we watch sex and violence, through TV, movies, Internet or videogames, we are changed.  We are first de-sensitized to immorality, then our consciences becomes seared so that we see ungodly behavior as normal, and finally our appetites are perverted. You may think, our society isn’t that bad — I believe it is, and it is just external restrains that are keeping us for being like Chile or the L.A. riots, where we saw looting and killing. But remove those restrains (police, military, etc.) and we will see what it was like in the time of Noah or Sodom and Gomorrah. Can God’s judgment be far away?

The godless people of Hollywood have removed all concepts, references or thoughts of God and have sublimely given us the message that God is irrelevant in our lives — however, he is our internal restraint. 

Let me ask you, how much of an influence is God in your life? Is God your authority? 

Instead of being corrupted by the evil influences, we can behold the good, lovely, wholesome and Godly, and become changed into that which we behold. Parents, you need to control what their child watches and hears, and raise your children to know God and godliness.

 Don Werner

Northfield