Worthless Things

I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.
Psalm 101:3a

Three years ago, when my daughter was a newborn, she liked to be held. All the time. I sat around a lot doing things I could do while holding an infant: reading, watching television, surfing the Internet. My general idleness was encouraged by my environment. We were living in a temporary rental house surrounded by boxes as our new home was being constructed, so I had no motivation to do any homemaking other than the absolute necessities of doing laundry and preparing meals. After some weeks of wasting my days away, I read Psalm 101:3a: I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. The Holy Spirit’s conviction was quick and specific: No more online celebrity news. No more Oprah or Dr. Phil. Think about what you’re spending your time doing, Katy. Is there eternal value in it?

Ever since that time, the Spirit has been quick to bring the verse to mind when needed, and for the most part, I have been more careful about what I “set before my eyes.” The King James Version uses “vile” rather than “worthless,” but I think the NASB’s use of “worthless” is superior. Not only does it seem to be the more accurate translation of the original Hebrew word, it also raises the standard for our conduct. I do not struggle with setting what I consider to be vile things before my eyes. I am not tempted by pornography or trashy books or magazines. I wouldn’t be caught dead reading Cosmo, much less anything worse. But do I expose myself to things that are worthless? Too often I still do, I’m afraid. For example, on more than one occasion, I have spent more hours than I care to admit reading knitting blogs. The knitting blogs I read wouldn’t have been considered vile by the most devoted of Puritans, but spending an inordinate amount of time reading them is indeed a worthless pursuit. Generally speaking, there is no eternal value in reading a knitting blog.

Since God impressed upon my heart the message of Psalm 101:3, I rarely watch television. I have been more careful about the movies I watch. I have been more selective in the books I read. Not that what I was exposing myself to previously was bad (I’ve been a snob for some years now.), but I have raised my standards. Is what I’m exposing myself to pleasing to God? Does it have eternal value? Does it manifest artistic merit? And something that our morning speaker brought to mind this very day: Is it something I would be embarrassed for Jesus to see me doing upon His return?

I feel compelled to provide some specific examples that may be “getting into your business,” as my pastor likes to say. Do you read Danielle Steel when you could be reading Jane Austen? Do you read Joel Osteen when you could be reading John Piper? Do you watch Desperate Housewives when you could be spending time with your husband? (Yes, THAT is what I am implying.) Men, instead of watching one football game, do you watch the whole Saturday line up? I encourage you to ask God, “Lord, what am I setting before my eyes that is worthless?” Make a list. Then ask Him to enable you to raise your standards. He is faithful.