PIXELS AND PRAYER 

Bernadette Keene 

Today’s Scripture: “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.” Psalm 101: 3, ESV 

Theme: Healthy spiritual lives require healthy boundaries around our entertainment and becoming intentional in our time with God. 

WANDERING EYES 

The Scripture of the day suggests not setting anything before our eyes that is worthless. While there are many examples in the Bible about people who went down the wrong path due to wandering eyes, I want to talk about Samson.  

Samson was a man set apart and dedicated to the Lord from birth as a Nazarite. The rules were so sacred that Samson’s mother was required to follow some of them while she was pregnant. No fruit of the vine or any unclean foods. For Samson, the rules were more stringent. No fruit of the vine; meaning he had to abstain from drinking wine, and he couldn’t eat grapes or raisins. No contact with anything dead, and he could never cut his hair. Samson ended up breaking all three of the vows by attending a wedding in a vineyard, eating honey out of a dead lion, and finally, his hair was cut. But it all started with the things he set before his eyes. 

MINDFUL HABITS 

Although we are not Nazarites and not under any laws like Samson was, as children of God, we too should desire to be mindful of what we set before our eyes. Because of Gods’ grace, we have freedom, but not all things are pleasing to God. Because we love Him, we should desire to demonstrate that love by obeying Him (John 14:15). When He tugs on our hearts to change the channel, unsubscribe, or to adjust our habits, our response should be, “Yes, Lord.” Changing habits that interfere with our intimacy with God may not be easy, but when He sees our sincerity and the desire to reflect His image accurately to a lost world, He gives us strength to do the hard things.  

Make It Personal: Have you noticed any areas in your life where God has been gently encouraging you to reconsider what you allow yourself to see, read, or watch? Are there certain habits or routines that you feel are not honoring Him—ones you struggle to change or let go of on your own? If so, remember that you are not alone. God is always present, ready to help, guide, and strengthen you as you seek to make choices that reflect His will and wisdom. 

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your steadfast love and patience toward us. We ask for Your guidance and strength as we strive to honor You with what we set before our eyes. Help us to recognize anything that pulls us away from Your truth, and give us wisdom to choose what is good, pure, and pleasing to You. Grant us the courage and discipline to break unhealthy habits and replace them with things that nurture our faith. We trust in Your power to help us overcome. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Read: Judges 13-16 

Weekly Memory Verse: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23, ESV