Last week after the Superbowl I read articles like this one and many more sentiments like it that were decidedly “done” with the evil they were exposed to during commercials, and also done with supporting those businesses who flaunted that evil . . .
I didn’t watch the Superbowl, but this week I had my own moment of being done. Some of you will perhaps wonder why I ever watched Downton Abbey in the first place, as it might have been beneath your personal standards even in previous episodes. Some of you will not agree with me even now in my decision to not continue on with finishing the story . . .
But for what it’s worth, I feel compelled to write it down.
I love the time period of the story. I am swept away into another world of lords & ladies, of loyal {and not-so-loyal} servants, palaces & pretty dresses, the “propriety” and grace of everyday life in an English household.
But if the time comes when a great story and a beautiful time period are so overshadowed by an “agenda” of making good evil and evil good, than I must stop to reconsider! Rather, I must simply STOP.
After watching an agenda-filled episode {and might I add, a completely unnecessary element to the overall story}of conjuring sympathy for the lifestyles of those living in sodomy or adultery {not shown, but implied}, and people of {former} noble character defending these things and even lying to protect them . . . I told my husband, “That’s it for Downton. I’m done.”
Maybe I should have been done before this. I’m not proud to broadcast the fact that I watched something that was less than excellent the way through anyways. And neither am I proud of the fact that I’m quitting now. Sometimes you just {finally} suddenly see things crystal clear. And you know what you have to do.
It’s not funny the way these things tend to “sneak” up on you. Whether it’s in books or movies or music or other types of media and print. Pastor Spence called it “acceptable immorality” yesterday, I believe. The way that we excuse away sin in the things we see and hear . . . because it’s not “real” and because it’s so rampant in our culture, it begins to wear on us. It wears on our souls and our spirits, sometimes before we even realize to what extent.
I was affirmed in my decision {and smitten in my heart} this morning when I read this.
“‘Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,
and revive me in Your ways.
Behold, I long for Your precepts;
revive me through Your righteousness.’
“Do you ever just get tired of all the worldly,
vain things we see all around us?
Do you ever feel like the Spirit of God within you cries,
‘Enough! You’ve seen enough of this world’s junk!’
“The psalmist sure seemed to feel that way;
and he didn’t live in a culture filled with TV and internet
[or a jillion other things we are bombarded with in our age, I might add].
Longing for the truth of God’s precepts,
he cried out for a righteous God to revive him,
giving him the grace to see his worldly ways changed into God’s ways.
“Let’s join the Psalmist today!
Let’s cry out for God to change our ways
in that which we allow our eyes to see.
Let’s decide now to spend more time looking at Jesus!”
~a message from OneCry Movement~
It’s that last line, especially that grabbed my attention. Because it’s not even so much about what I shouldn’t do or watch or give my attention to, although that is mentioned often in Scripture and very important. But the real change in my heart and the desires of my heart, and everything about me will be clarified and purified and “beautified” in the gazing at and the beholding of Jesus Christ.
So I’m done with Downton.
But isn’t it wonderful? That’s a little more time freed up for LINGERING with Him and people and better things.
Which, really, is my goal and overriding desire. Things just get a little messy and muddled sometimes. I’m so thankful for the Word of God that is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)!
And how grateful I am that HE isn’t done with ME.
I fully support that decision! It’s wonderful to hear your heart on the matter, and i so appreciate your sensitivity and obedience. in all things, the point is to “spend more time looking at Jesus!” Love how that line puts everything in focus.
Thanks, Amy! It means so much to have friends like you who value purity and holy living out of love for Jesus and what He’s done for us! Sooooo looking forward to seeing you soon and talking face to face.
I love your stand on this, Shelly. I’m constantly convicted by the last verse of Romans 1… viewing works of evil can be a way of supporting them, and it doesn’t leave me in a good place any more than the people who actually commit those works.
I. Love. This. {and you!}
I affirm you and commend you, Shelly!
Mrs. Kenneth~ You are so right . . . thanks for your words of truth. And I’m just beginning with memorizing Romans 1, so was pleased to go jump ahead and read the last verse.
Michelle, you are so dear. Love you too!
Thanks, Cindy! I am blessed to have friends like you!
I am so with you! I haven’t watched Downtown Abbey (because I didn’t have time), but I am getting more and more perturbed with shows that blatantly promote evil. It’s just so WRONG. And wrong of me to want to be entertained by it.
I think it’s interesting that you should post this now, because just about a week or two ago I also decided to be done with a couple of shows that I watched occasionally, Downton being one of them! And you’re right it sneaks up on us so easily, and I’m thankful that God gives me those wake up calls when I’m becoming calloused about the evil I see around me!
Amen, Shelly. Well said. Linger looking at Jesus and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.
Thanks, Michelle. Yes, you are so right. It IS wrong to want to be entertained by anything that’s wrong!
Danae, I’m encouraged by your stand too! It’s good to encourage each other to live pure lives. Thanks for sharing!
Kim, I value your input in my life as an “in real life” person that I come in contact with on a weekly basis. Thanks.
Bless you for sharing this! I agree that the subtle sneakiness of things is not funny. And it becomes easier to excuse because it’s 90% okay but that 10% is not excusable. I gave up watching a (different) series because it crossed the line I had set. It wasn’t easy because it was a show I enjoyed and it had run a whole season good and by that time you’re enjoying the show enough that it would’ve been easy to say, “well, it’s not that bad.”
Marylou~ Thanks for your encouraging words.You are so right about that 10% of wrong being so tempting to overlook when the 90% is good! Blessings on you and your personal decisions for purity as well!
I’m sitting here.. reading.. nodding my head in agreement. This kind of stuff has been bothering me for quite some time. It’s sad at what has just been labeled “acceptable” for Christains these days. Some of these seasons/series can be down right addicting, i know.
I guess i’m starting to grow up, seeing things in a different light, thinking of my children’s future, etc..
Way to go on setting these boundries for yourself and sticking to them.. And for encouraging others in this as well!
Wow, Shelly, I am PROUD of you for taking this stand. And for not doing it with a haughty attitude, but one of wanting to glorify Jesus in all we do and watch and intake as well as output. When it comes to wanting to please Jesus – that puts a whole different light on it rather than just reacting… I am so blessed to have friends like you – who value pursuing Jesus above the popularity of the world, and who are brave enough to voice them! I love you!
Funny how this week it has been weighing heavily on me (and out of the blue) that I am spending too much time watching negative “stories” and having family time with things aimed at my childrens age but having so much content that it really shouldn’t and my excuse being “well it is made for kids their age” or “well, their friends watch it”. Afterall, shouldnt I be able to trust Nickelodeon for some wholesome viewing? Yet, day after day I pay more attention to these shows and I am disgusted by them, bringing me to a similar conviction of listeing to my heart, my soul, and of course my God as He is the one speaking to me and showing me that the G in “rated G” doesnt stand for God. Thank you so much for posting this. Though i have been struggling a lot lately with a lot of things I feel as though God has confirmed that it is He who is speaking to me on this subject by speaking to you about it at the same time! Praise the Lord for your honesty, your thoughts and your strength. Bless you and yours!
Thanks Shell for your decison to eliminate shows that advocate sexual immorality. I just told the others today that I am done with Bones. a detective show of which I watched about three episodes. I hadn’t read your blog yet about Downton but am grateful you too feel the Spirit’s promtings. The closer we are to Jesus the less we are able to tolerate the world’s sinful ways.