Redeeming the Time

Richard Thetford

Solomon told us in proverbs 4:23: "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." Jesus explained this idea in Matthew 12:34-35 when he told us that the words and actions of man originate from the heart. If the heart is evil, our actions are evil. If we dwell on the obscene, the suggestive, and the sensual, our hearts will be filled with such things.

Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things."

Much of what is on TV, in the movies, in books and magazines is degrading, and presents a warped viewpoint of family life, and depicts good guys as using evil tactics such as lying, killing, and stealing to bring about good results. How can we feed our minds on these things of which so much reading and viewing material consists today, and still maintain a pure and undefiled heart? That is something we just can’t do!

We need to spend as much time as possible reading and studying God's word and associating with Christians. We need to be extremely selective in our TV watching. We don't need to read just anything that comes into our hands. Listen to Paul in Ephesians 5:15-17: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Let us all strive to spend our time wisely to the glory of God.