WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INGEST - Sadell Bradley 09/02/15 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

Ingest means to take food, drink or another substance into the body by swallowing or absorbing it.  Ingest is also used to describe absorbing, taking in or assimilating information, ideas, time, resources, attention, or experiences. There is an old saying, "You are what you eat." We are also what we view and mentally or spiritually ingest.  I grew up in a simpler time when options were limited. There were 3-5 TV stations and no remotes; no smart phones, video games, personal computers or microwaves. We drove cross country without seat belts. Because of the free love and political influences of the 60's and 70's, Christians were cautioned to be careful what we took into our minds and spirits. I would NEVER have imagined the deluge of images/ideas we now experience!

In Ephesians 5, Paul admonishes us to live as children of the light, and have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness. As the light in the world, we are to expose the darkness, not participate in it. (vs. 9-13) He encourages us to walk in love and to not even allow a hint of sexual immorality, greed, impurity, idolatry, foolish talk, coarse jesting or obscenity to be named among us. Nor are we to associate with those who participate in these behaviors. (vs. 2-7) Most of us get that evil companions will corrupt good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33), but how much of our mental and spiritual intake via media, books, blog and posts, conversations, movies and music violates this admonition? Have we become desensitized to what we were intended to repel? Are we now corrupted?

King David said, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." (Psalm 101:3) The NIV renders this verse, "I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it."  Is this our sentiment, or do we 'wink' at sin and indulge it? and in our failure to cut it off from us silently approve what we know brings damage and destruction to our own and others' lives. Is what you ingest in conversation, social media or other means adding to your life or detracting from it? Does it promote faith or fear? Do you trust God or love people more or less? Does it bring hope or despair?

We ALL could remember this bit of wisdom, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."  (Prov. 4:23 NIV)

New Life Covenant is a multi-ethnic, inter-generational and multi-class community.  We are a church for the hurting...because everybody wants to be F.R.E.E!

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