Sin, Senses, and Subliminal messages

• Messages sorted by:[ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

On Thu, Oct 26, 1995 7:10 PM EDT, Boisy Pitre had occasion to write:

>Hi Thomas,
>
>When you disposed of your TV, VCR and associated things (could you be
>more specific on this?), did you also get rid of:
>
> 1. any radios in your car and home?
> 2. audio cassette players?
> 3. CD players?
> 4. computers?

And, on Thu, Oct 26, 1995 7:33 PM EDT, David Raymond Schulke had occasion to
write:

>Bro. Griffin,
>     I can almost see your point, BUT, (not to be rude) there is really
>nothing wrong with TV's and VCR's.  If there were, we should all throw
>out our computers seeing as there is as much trash out there we can pick
>up with them, as we can with a TV and the like...

SIMPLY TO CLARIFY AND AMPLIFY THIS ISSUE:

Clarification step 1:
A DEFINITION
Study, momentarily, the American Heritage dictionary definition of:
*inherent*, adj.:
"Existing as an essential constituent or characteristic; intrinsic."

Clarification step 2:
A REVISION
When David R. Schulke wrote "there is really nothing wrong with TV's and
VCR's," it may have been more appropriate to say "there is nothing
*inherently* wrong with TV's and VCR's."  This would mean that what is wrong
with TV's and VCR's does not exist "as an essential constituent or
characteristic" of TV's and VCR's.

Clarification step 3:
AN EXPLANATION
The essential constituents or characteristics of a TV and a VCR are their
ability to transduce signals (both electromagnetic waves and magnetic tape,
respectively) into visible and audible form.

Clarification step 4:
A COMPARISON
The human senses are very similar.  The eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin,
like the TV & VCR, have certain *inherent* features.  Miraculously, our
neurological system translates external stimuli from each of our senses,
transmits resulting nerve impulses along nerve paths which ultimately
terminate at the brain.  That's the miracle of how we are able to perceive
the world around us!  Our ears transduce sound waves, our eyes transduce
light, our nose transduces scents, our tongue transduces flavors, and our
skin, by way of the action of nerve endings just beneath the surface,
transduces feelings from tactile objects.

We truly are "fearfully and wonderfully made," as said the Psalmist.

Clarification step 5:
A QUESTION
Can we call the five God-given human senses *sin*?

Clarification step 6:
MORE QUESTIONS
Can we likewise truthfully call TV's and VCR's sin?
Can we truthfully call:
> 1. any radios in your car and home?
> 2. audio cassette players?
> 3. CD players?
> 4. computers?
...SIN?

Clarification step 7:
A CONCLUSION
I believe that Satan loves getting those who possess the Truth entangled in
external issues.  He knows the value of internal commitment, internal
consecration, and internal discernment.  If he can distract Holy Ghost-filled
saints (and preachers) from what is important, get them inflamed, disgusted,
and disillusioned; if he can get them to carry personal petty grudges-he has
effectively destroyed their capability to witness!!

Though I have never had a TV in my home (nor will I ever have one), the issue
is not the set!!

Though I have never had an uncontrolled VCR in my home (nor will I ever have
one), the issue is not the machine!!

The wisdom of the Word rings clear in 1 Peter 2:11:  "Dearly beloved, I
beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war
against the soul."

The war is "against the soul," not against the senses.  

That is why Jesus said, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not
able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul
and body in hell."  (Mat 10:28)

Since the threat is inward, the answer can only be found in internal control.
 Folks, were dealing with self-control, continence, moderation, and sobriety.
 Can you think of the Biblical word for these synonyms?  That Biblical word
is: *TEMPERANCE*!!

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...[and] *temperance*!"

Notice the capital "S" on Spirit??  That is the Holy Spirit!!  The Holy Ghost
is absolutely necessary, not just for eternity, but to make a HOLY life
possible!

(Just a little disclaimer: If you are a saint in a Truth teaching and
preaching church-if your pastor preaches a standard of holiness even slightly
different than the aforementioned- please, abide by the standards of your
local church before you even think of a remote possibility of considering the
validity of this treatise!  Your pastor is keeping a watch over your soul;
let him give account for you...WITH JOY!  (Hebrews 13:17))

Don Haymon, II
(oneof3ds@aol.com)
Associate Pastor
Calvary Apostolic Church
Denver, CO
"Denver's Holiness Witness Since 1956"