Guarding the Gates
“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 (KJV)
Your body takes in the world through a few small gates: your eyes, your ears, your mouth. What goes through them shapes your health. Every athlete knows a steady diet of junk shows up on the field eventually.
The soul works the same way. David made a decision about one gate: “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.” Proverbs warns about another: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” What we say, we end up eating.
Gossip, lies, constant outrage and endless scrolling are a kind of junk food. A little seems harmless. Over time they make us sick in mind and spirit, and often in body too.
Paul gives a better menu: “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Guard the gates this week, and feed on what is good.
Read it yourself
Read Philippians 4:8 slowly. Write down one thing for each word on Paul’s list that you could think about today.
Which of your gates, eyes, ears or mouth, needs the most guarding right now?
Lord, guard the gates of my eyes, my ears and my mouth. Fill me with what is true and good. Amen.