"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:  this is the first commandment." - Mark 12:30

I'll never forget the day I met him.

I was at my local department store and I noticed him in front of a group of people.  Being a bit puzzled at what he might be saying that had the people so interested, I moved in closer to listen.

Soon, I also found myself fascinated with the stories that he told.  I visited with him for quite a while, right there in Wal-Mart and got to know him well enough to invite him into my apartment.

Later that day, he came to visit me in my tiny, one-room apartment.  I knew immediately that we would have a special bond between us. 

And, at first, things went really well.  He would tell me all about places that I had never been to, and would even show me pictures of all of the sights.  We shared a common interest in sports and we always followed my favorite team together.   Whenever I arrived home from a long day at work, he would catch me up on all the things that were going on.  Things were great between us.

What I really enjoyed most about our time together, however, were the stories that he told.  I don't know where he got them all, but he could unwind a tale that just kept me spellbound.  I would spend hours at a time just sitting and listening to him share his stories...some true, some made up...but all were wonderful.

Like I said, at first, things went really well.  But, after a while, I noticed that he was changing.  He started using an occasional curse word here and there.  Whenever he did, I cringed, but because the stories were so entertaining, I continued to listen anyway.  I found myself letting him get by with saying things that I would never say myself or let anyone else say in my presence. 

But, he was different.  I enjoyed him so much, that I let him get away with more and more.  Soon, he was cursing so much that I got used to it and it seldom bothered me anymore at all.

And the more comfortable I became with him, the less I  noticed what he was doing wrong.  He began to share things of a bit racier nature.  At first, it was subtle and I didn't pay too much attention to it.  But, in time, he began to talk explicitly about sexual relationships and even homosexuality.  He was so casual about it all, as if it was natural to talk about it.  Soon, he started showing me pictures that I knew I shouldn't look at, but I had grown so accustomed to hearing his stories that I once again put up with something that I never dreamed I would.

Then, I began to notice changes in myself.  I was allowing Him to really affect my decision making.  He was gaining too much control over my life.  He influenced the clothes I bought, the foods I ate, the places I visited and the movies that I watched.  It certainly wasn't obvious to me at the time, but he had begun to shape my morals and priorities, even the way I felt about certain issues.

It all hit me hard one day about five years ago.  I hated the person that I had become because of his influence in my life.  As I sat and listened to him curse God's name and fill my mind with images of sexual immorality, I realized that I had allowed him to turn me into someone that I never wanted to be.  He was controlling me.  All the while I had grown further away from my Lord Jesus and the things of God. I knew that he had more influence in my life than Christ did.   I realized it had to stop.

I went into the living room where he was at and I made one of the toughest decisions of my young adult life.  I told him that he had to leave immediately.  It didn't phase him a bit.  I guess he knew that he was welcome at many other people's homes.

So, if you happen to get a visit from him (he may be in your home already!) then beware of how much damage he can do in your life.  Oh, you won't notice it at first, but in time, if you look close, you'll see how he has changed you, and maybe your family as well. 

His name?  I think it's one you are familiar with.  His name is "television."

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!