I have waited for this thought to pass away but it has not. This may be hard to understand but I wish to discuss something with you that you already know and are aware of, perhaps to stir up your pure mind. We each are in possession of a carnal mind but I have no interest in stirring it up. (Rom. 12:2) “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

We first need to define the word conformed. (Make like – in agreement to.) The word transformed is defined as: (change in form or appearance. Change in condition, nature or character.) The primary thought in conformed is to be like. The primary thought in transformed is change. He used the word conformed in a negative statement telling us to be not conformed to this world. (Remember the definition made like.) He said, do not change to the worldly. In lieu of that he told us how to, by the renewing of your mind and the fruits of doing that will be, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (I John 2:15) “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” I wish to dwell on one particular portion of this scripture which is; the lust of the eyes. (Gen. 3:1) “Now the serpent was more subtle than all the beast of the fields, which the Lord God had made.” There has been in the recent past a subtle but conscious effort to conform mankind to the world and especially the Lord’s children. That effort is deliberate but is no more subtle, but bold.

Brethren, I may get into a lot of trouble with this article, even if anyone will dare to print it but I feel it will be worth it if it will cause His children to think. These are things we all know but I think it is time to put them into words.

There has been in the past 50 to 60 years what could be termed a sexual revolution in America. It is quiet obvious the revolution was successful. It has been forced into our schools; consequently it has left its mark upon our young and tender in age that we love so much. Industry now uses it as a tool to market their products. It is now an industry itself, pouring forth its flood of filth and sin on the American public. Two of the primary consequences, which are a direct result, are the attitude of the American people, especially your young, toward adultery and fornication. It defies all decency and the many warnings God gave us in the scriptures. (Eph. 5:3) “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you as becometh saints;” (I Cor. 6:18) “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” There are many more scriptures to support these.

Brethren, I don’t feel this simple effort of mine is going to make major changes in the way most of the world conducts itself.

Have you ever asked yourself what means has been used to affect the thinking of an entire nation? In most homes there is at least one television and one computer. These have been tools to the evil men of this world. (I borrowed part of this thought from Elder Ray Ward.) They have served as a pipeline to bring the filth, the vulgarity, the garbage and everything evil that the world can imagine and dumping it in the middle of our living rooms and our bedrooms. Try as you may to control it some of it will get through. (Rom. 8:6) “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Children of God I challenge you to view, even the programs that the world consider family, and be spiritual minded. I am persuaded, that the networks have had a great influence on the Lord’s children and their tolerance toward ungodliness. Adultery and fornication is just as wrong in the sight of God as it ever was, only in our sight has the sinfulness of it diminished.

During the Korean War there was a term introduced by the Chinese. It was called brainwashing. The method was to give you the same thought time after time without relenting. After a period of time you began to accept that message as truth. Brethren, compare that to what is happening to God’s little children. Secular Humanism, Atheism, vulgarity, and every manner of filth and evil are poured out into our living rooms to our families. Once again, I challenge any man, woman, boy or girl to be spiritually minded in the presence of such evil.

Brethren, I am not so vain as to believe that anyone on the strength of this simple article is going to cast their T V in the garbage dump. My purpose is to cause us to think. Have these things that at first was subtle and now boldly affected our mindset? I am fearful that I have permitted, unwittingly, the things that come across the screen to affect the way I think.

Consider this, at the top of the ladder of the networks are a very small number of people who will make the final decision as to what programs will come into your home. They have a powerful tool in their hands to mold the minds of the American people. Brethren, we are not exempt from this.

I recently tried to write on the spirituality of our services. I have no authority to question any one else, but have we allowed these worldly things to conform us to the world? Are they hindering us from being spiritually minded? Brethren, who controls the remote?

Brethren, please be aware of what is coming into our homes for the sake of our families and for our benefit also. Once again, please remember: “To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace!”

Consider these things.